Simple Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
So, you aren't an iron chef. There's no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed about shying away from complicated recipes with lengthy ingredient lists, especially when recipes like our Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake exist! Hearty, flavorful, and shockingly easy to prepare, it turns a crowd-favorite appetizer into a main dish you and your guests won't be able to get enough of.
To make your cooking experience more manageable, consider preparing your ingredients in advance, storing them in the fridge or freezer, and completing the cooking process when you’re ready. This approach saves time and adds convenience to mealtime, allowing you to focus on your work life and other activities like entertaining your guests and adventuring in the great outdoors.
When it comes to choosing your chicken, consider purchasing fresh, pre-seasoned meat. Doing so can be more cost-effective, as you won't have to spend extra money on spices, and it’s one less thing to worry about!
How to Make a Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
This delicious Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake recipe is a quick and easy meal to prep in advance. It offers a blend of creamy noodles and tender buffalo chicken with tasty dressing and hot sauce. If you don't have time to prepare and cook the meal all on the same day, you can simply mix the ingredients, cover the dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to a day before baking.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1 package of AdapTable Meals Chicken Breast Filets (we recommend Tomato Herb or Lemon Peppercorn) – Note: This recipe calls for leftover chicken breast. For help preparing your chicken, choose your preferred cooking method here.
- 2 cups (8 ounces) uncooked penne pasta (or substitute cooked cauliflower)
- 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup of your favorite hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat an 8-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the pasta noodles and drain them. To prevent them from sticking together, drizzle a small amount of olive oil over them.
- Mix the cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce until well incorporated and creamy.
- Combine the chicken breast filets, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and cooked pasta noodles with the cream cheese mixture. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Combine both cheeses and spread them evenly on top of the pasta. Place the dish in the oven and bake it for 20 minutes or until the cheese on top is fully melted.
- Remove the dish from the oven and serve immediately with green onions, hot sauce, and ranch dressing.
Tips & Tricks to Elevate Your Meal
- If you want to experience a mouth-watering combination of tangy and buttery flavors, try swapping out the hot sauce for buffalo sauce. It'll add more zesty tang to your dish.
- Not only does pre-shredded cheese come with a clumping agent, but it also lacks the freshness and creaminess of the real deal. By shredding your cheese block yourself, you'll be able to enjoy a superior taste and texture.
- It's a good idea to offer blue cheese dressing and crumbles as an optional condiment. This way, those who love the bold flavor of blue cheese can partake without forcing blue cheese’s strong, polarizing flavor onto everyone.
Meal Prep on a Budget
Whether it's this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake or any of our other tasty Meal Ideas, follow these tips to ensure your food is full of flavor and budget-friendly.- Set your budget: It's always a good idea to begin with the basics, starting with setting a budget. Deciding how much money you are willing to spend on groceries per week or month is essential, as this will help you plan meals and make better shopping choices.
- Plan your meals: Plan out your meals for the upcoming week. Opt for recipes that use inexpensive ingredients and can be cooked in large batches. It's best to prioritize recipes that use pantry staples such as rice, pasta, and easy-to-prep AdapTable Meals.
- Shop with a list: Create a comprehensive list of all the ingredients required for the planned meals. By having a list, you can easily prevent unnecessary expenses.
- Stay flexible: Keep an eye out for sales and discounts at nearby grocery stores, and modify your meal plan accordingly to take advantage of deals on foods you eat regularly.