Description
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells combine tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich mixture of shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, cream cheese, and ranch dressing. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and delivers a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and cheesy flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shells
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Additional shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the filling and shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and allow them to cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, softened cream cheese, and garlic powder. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well blended.
- Add Ranch Dressing: Gently fold in the ranch dressing to the filling mixture. This addition helps to mellow out the spiciness of the buffalo sauce and adds a tangy, creamy undertone.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully fill each cooked jumbo shell with the buffalo chicken mixture, making sure each shell is generously stuffed.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the stuffed shells in a lightly greased baking dish, arranging them so they’re snug but not overcrowded, allowing even baking.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove from oven, uncover, and optionally sprinkle extra shredded mozzarella and chopped green onions over the top for added flavor and color before serving.
Notes
- You can prepare and stuff the shells in advance, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- For longer storage, freeze stuffed shells before baking for up to three months; bake directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Use low-fat cheeses to reduce fat content if desired.
- Serve with celery sticks and extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for a classic Buffalo wing experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stuffed shells
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken, stuffed shells, creamy pasta, easy dinner, buffalo sauce, baked pasta, ranch dressing, comfort food, weeknight meal
