If there’s one recipe that has turned countless meals into memorable moments, it’s Buffalo Wild Wings Baked Mac and Cheese. I first made this dish on a camping trip with my son and his scout group, and it was an instant hit! It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and loaded with flavor.
Back then, it was all about feeding hungry campers, but now it’s become a family favorite for all occasions. The best part? It’s simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and can even be made ahead of time!
Follow along, and I’ll walk you through how to make this delicious dish while sharing a few tips along the way. Trust me, once you try it, plain mac and cheese won’t cut it anymore!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This Buffalo Wild Wings Baked Mac and Cheese stands out for so many reasons! Here’s why it’s bound to become your new favorite comfort food.
1. Packed with Flavor
A blend of creamy cheeses, spicy Buffalo sauce, and tender chunks of chicken gives this dish layers of flavor. It’s the perfect combination of rich and zesty, with a finish that keeps you coming back for seconds (or thirds!).
2. Feeds a Crowd
Whether you’re hosting a party, a family dinner, or a potluck, this recipe is designed to satisfy large groups. One batch easily serves 30 people, making it ideal for gatherings.
3. Easy to Prepare
Despite its bold flavors, this recipe comes together effortlessly. The steps are straightforward, and the ingredients are easy to find. Plus, you can even prepare parts ahead of time to make cooking stress-free.
4. Customizable
From choosing your level of spiciness to adding a twist with extra ingredients, this mac and cheese is made for personalization. You can easily adapt it to suit your taste buds or dietary preferences.
5. Perfect for Make-Ahead
Busy schedule? No problem! You can prepare this dish, freeze it, and bake it when you’re ready. It’s a time-saver, and it still tastes amazing.
Cooking Time
Here’s how much time you’ll need from start to finish:
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this delicious dish to life:
- 3 pounds elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups butter, divided
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 6 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 5 cans (12.5 oz each) chicken, drained
- 1 ½ cups Buffalo wing hot sauce, divided
- 7 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons dry mustard
- 7 ½ cups half & half
- 3 pounds cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ pounds pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 16 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 3 cups sour cream
- 12 slices day-old bread, cut into cubes
- 1 ½ cups blue cheese, crumbled
Ingredient Alternatives
- Dairy-Free: Swap out the cream cheese, half & half, and cheeses with plant-based versions.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch.
- Less Spicy: Reduce the Buffalo sauce or use a milder version to lower the heat.
Equipment You Need
- Large Pot: For boiling pasta.
- Skillet: To sauté the onions, celery, and chicken.
- Saucepan: Perfect for making the creamy cheese sauce.
- Baking Pans: For assembling and baking the mac and cheese.
- Mixing Bowls: To toss the bread cubes with butter and mix ingredients.
How to Make Buffalo Wild Wings Baked Mac and Cheese?
This recipe might look impressive, but don’t worry! It’s simple to make when broken down into these steps. 🥣🍗🧀
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente (about 7 minutes), then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Set it aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken Mixture
Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet. Sauté the onions and celery until softened. Stir in the garlic and chicken, letting it cook for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of Buffalo sauce and mix well for that spicy kick. 🌶️
Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce
Melt 10 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and dry mustard until smooth. Slowly add half & half and the remaining ½ cup of Buffalo sauce, stirring constantly until thickened. Gradually whisk in the cheddar, pepper jack, and cream cheeses until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Finish with sour cream for extra richness.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Combine the cooked pasta, chicken mixture, and cheese sauce in a large pot. Stir gently until well coated, ensuring every bite is packed with cheesy goodness.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Divide the mixture into three greased baking pans. Toss bread cubes with melted butter in a bowl, then sprinkle them over the mac and cheese. Finally, top with crumbled blue cheese. 🧈 Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue cooking while baking. This keeps it from becoming mushy.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature cream cheese and sour cream ensures a smooth sauce with no lumps.
- Experiment with Cheese: Feel free to try different cheese blends like Gruyère or gouda for a unique twist.
- Toast the Croutons: For extra crunch, lightly toast the bread cubes before topping the dish.
How to Serve Buffalo Wild Wings Baked Mac and Cheese?
This dish looks as good as it tastes! Serve it straight from the oven in your baking dish for a rustic, crowd-pleasing presentation. Garnish with finely chopped parsley or a drizzle of Buffalo sauce for a pop of color. Pair it with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the nutrition breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 475
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fat: 28g
Make Ahead and Storage
This mac and cheese is perfect for prepping in advance!
- Freeze: Place the unbaked mac and cheese in a freezer-safe container. Wrap it with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Refrigerate: Cover the unbaked dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
Buffalo Wild Wings Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups butter divided
- 2 large onions finely chopped
- 6 stalks celery finely chopped
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 5 cans 12.5 oz each chicken, drained
- 1 ½ cups Buffalo wing hot sauce divided
- 7 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons dry mustard
- 7 ½ cups half & half
- 3 pounds cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 ½ pounds pepper jack cheese shredded
- 16 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 3 cups sour cream
- 12 slices day-old bread cut into cubes
- 1 ½ cups blue cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente (about 7 minutes), then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Set it aside.
- Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet. Sauté the onions and celery until softened. Stir in the garlic and chicken, letting it cook for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of Buffalo sauce and mix well for that spicy kick. 🌶️
- Melt 10 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and dry mustard until smooth. Slowly add half & half and the remaining ½ cup of Buffalo sauce, stirring constantly until thickened. Gradually whisk in the cheddar, pepper jack, and cream cheeses until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Finish with sour cream for extra richness.
- Combine the cooked pasta, chicken mixture, and cheese sauce in a large pot. Stir gently until well coated, ensuring every bite is packed with cheesy goodness.
- Divide the mixture into three greased baking pans. Toss bread cubes with melted butter in a bowl, then sprinkle them over the mac and cheese. Finally, top with crumbled blue cheese. 🧈 Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue cooking while baking. This keeps it from becoming mushy.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature cream cheese and sour cream ensures a smooth sauce with no lumps.
- Experiment with Cheese: Feel free to try different cheese blends like Gruyère or gouda for a unique twist.
- Toast the Croutons: For extra crunch, lightly toast the bread cubes before topping the dish.
