Buffalo Wild Wings Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
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.
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.