Bacon Buffalo Mac and Cheese
- SERVES
- 6
- SERVING SIZE
- 1 cup
- COOK TIME
- 50 Min
This recipe comes courtesy of Ally from Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats who says, "In an ideal world, we'd all like to eat a restaurant quality meal every night, but in actuality we don't. This simple, easy and unique mac and cheese brings the best of those together - quality and simplicity."
What You'll Need
- 1/2 pound medium shells
- 4 strips of bacon, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup wing sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar/Monterrey jack cheese
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
What to Do
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray. In a small skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet, drain on a paper towel lined plate. Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente, then drain.
- In a food processor combine cream cheese, garlic, wing sauce and ranch dressing until smooth. In a large bowl mix together cooked pasta, shredded cheese, red pepper, bacon and cream cheese sauce. Toss to combine. Pour into dish. Sprinkle with panko bread crumbs. Bake for 40 minutes until crispy and bubbly.
Notes
-
Check out more of Ally's fantastic recipes on her blog: Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats!
-
This recipe was a finalist in our Search for the Ultimate Weeknight Meal Contest!
- If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out Easy Pasta Bake Recipes: 24 Ultimate Pasta Casseroles.
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Morehouse17
Mar 31, 2018
There is not a family function that I have attended that did not have mac and cheese served. Typically it is my Mom's recipe but I want to bring this one to mix it up a little. My family is hesitant to accept change but with this recipe, I think they will make an exception.
Delphine Bryant
Mar 31, 2018
I think I live with the only person in the whole world that does not care for mac and cheese. I love it but because I am the only on in the house to eat it I rarely make it and am relegated to purchase the frozen variety so that it will not go to waist. I can not resist this recipe so I will make it anyway. Has anyone attempted to half the recipe?
Test Kitchen Team
Apr 02, 2018
Hi Delphine! You can cut all the ingredients in half, but the cooking time should be a bit shorter, probably about 25 minutes, so make sure to keep an eye on it. Enjoy!
Delphine Bryant
Apr 30, 2018
I almost found out the hard way about the cooking time. If I had not checked on the mac and cheese half way though, it would have not been very good eats, lol.
toniretman 5006408
Aug 05, 2014
very good. I also added chicken and used the french fried onions instead
jschneew 2797470
May 27, 2014
Recipe photo looks like it was prepared in an 8x8 pan. Should the recipe be doubled for a 9x13 pan?
Test Kitchen Team
May 29, 2014
Good eye! The recipe calls for a 9 x 13, but we prepared it in an 8 x 8 just for this picture. Normally we would make it in the 9 x 13 using the exact amount of ingredients you see here. No need to double anything. Thank you for your question!
mika2003 5522447
Jan 28, 2014
Very yummy and addictive!! I made a few changes...I added cubed cooked chicken, used blue cheese dressing instead of ranch, used 1 cup Monteray Jack cheese nad 1 cup of cheddar. For the topping, I used French's fried onions instead of the panko crumbs.
patissassy36 41102 79
Dec 11, 2012
What and where Wing sauce??????
rwclhs2013 6835706
Dec 19, 2012
This is a buffalo area thing. You can buy it in a supermarket around here, but I prefer to make it homemade. The internet would good place to search the recipe.
meatandtaters
Mar 12, 2015
Go to the Dollar Tree if you have them in your area and get Louisiana Supreme brand. It costs $1 for a 16 oz. bottle of sauce that is VERY hot and delicious. Their steak sauce (A-1 style) is also very good.
bjg6727
Sep 30, 2012
What do you think? Do I need both Chedder & Monterrey cheese- 2 cups of each?
Test Kitchen Team
Oct 01, 2012
It is 2 cups shredded Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese combination. You can typically buy this mix at your grocery store in the cheese section. Thank you for your question!
YMK
Sep 25, 2012
This was a hit with the men! It was pretty da** delicious were the bulk of the comments from the Monday Night Football crew!
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