I found a recipe that’s now a favorite in my kitchen: Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells. It’s a new take on stuffed shells, mixing buffalo chicken’s heat with creamy cheese and pasta.
Using leftover chicken makes this recipe easy. You can use chicken from a rotisserie or baked breasts. The bacon and ranch seasoning add a rich flavor. It’s a cozy dish for any time.
Key Takeaways
- Easy to prepare using leftover chicken
- Combines spicy buffalo chicken with creamy cheese and pasta
- Adds a smoky flavor with bacon and ranch seasoning
- Perfect for a comforting meal on any occasion
- Great way to repurpose leftover chicken
- Can be customized with your favorite ingredients
Introduction to Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells
If you enjoy spicy and savory tastes, you’ll adore my Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells recipe. It’s a unique take on pasta, blending buffalo chicken, ranch dressing, and crispy bacon.
What Are Stuffed Shells?
Stuffed shells are large pasta shells filled with cheese, chicken, and sometimes bacon. They’re then baked until golden. This recipe uses a creamy buffalo chicken mix, topped with more cheese and bacon for extra flavor.
The Flavor Profile of Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch
The Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch flavor is a mix of spicy, savory, and creamy. Buffalo sauce brings a spicy touch, while ranch dressing adds a cool, creamy taste. The bacon adds smoky, crunchy texture, making the dish deliciously complex.
Why I Love This Recipe
I adore this recipe because it’s easy to make and versatile. It’s great for quick weeknight meals or to impress guests. The buffalo chicken, bacon, and ranch make it a crowd-pleaser in your home.
Ingredients for My Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells
To make my Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells, you’ll need a few key ingredients. These ingredients come together to make a delicious dinner. The recipe is simple yet flavorful.
Essential Ingredients
You’ll need jumbo pasta shells as the base. They’ll be filled with a mix of ground chicken or shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. For more ideas, check out this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells recipe.
- Jumbo pasta shells
- Ground chicken or shredded chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Cream cheese
- Shredded cheese
Optional Add-Ins
Adding optional ingredients can make your stuffed shells even better. Bacon adds a smoky taste, while green onions add freshness. Diced tomatoes add moisture and flavor. For more ideas, see this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells recipe.
- Bacon
- Green onions
- Diced tomatoes
Cooking Tools I Recommend
For this crowd-pleasing dinner recipe, you’ll need some tools. A large pot is needed for boiling pasta shells. A baking dish is required for baking. You’ll also need a mixing bowl and a measuring cups and spoons set.
Step-by-Step Instructions
To make delicious bacon ranch buffalo stuffed shells, first preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook 24 large pasta shells until they’re al dente. Then, mix the filling ingredients, like shredded chicken, spinach, and ranch seasoning.
Next, fill each pasta shell with the chicken mix. Place them in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and crumbled bacon on top.
Bake the buffalo chicken bacon shells for 25-30 minutes. Wait until the sauce bubbles and the top is golden. For a crispy top, bake without the cover for 5-10 minutes more.
For more ideas, check out BBQ bacon cheeseburger peppers. Serve your baked shells hot. Garnish with chopped green onions or scallions and enjoy!
FAQ
What is the best way to store leftovers of Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells?
Let the stuffed shells cool down first. Then, cover them with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake at 350°F until they’re warm.
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells ahead of time?
Yes, you can make them a day in advance. Just assemble the shells, cover the dish, and refrigerate. Bake them when you’re ready, adding a bit more time if they’re cold.
How do I prevent the pasta shells from becoming overcooked?
Boil the pasta shells until they’re al dente. Then, rinse them with cold water. This stops the cooking and keeps them firm.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon for this recipe?
Yes, pre-cooked bacon works great. Just crumble or chop it and mix it into the filling. Cooking raw bacon adds a smoky taste, but pre-cooked saves time.
Is it possible to make a vegetarian version of Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells?
Yes, you can make it vegetarian. Use sautéed veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms instead of chicken. Omit the bacon or use veggie bacon.
How can I adjust the level of spiciness in the recipe?
To change the spiciness, adjust the buffalo sauce in the filling. Use less for a milder taste or more for spicier. You can also swap it with a milder hot sauce.
Can I use different types of cheese in the recipe?
Yes, feel free to try different cheeses. The recipe uses cream cheese, ranch, and shredded cheese. But you can add parmesan, mozzarella, or feta for a unique taste.
My Delicious Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Delicious Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Shells combining spicy buffalo chicken with creamy cheese and crispy bacon. Perfect comfort food using leftover chicken, these stuffed pasta shells are baked to golden perfection with a rich, savory filling.
Ingredients
24 jumbo pasta shells
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1/4 cup ranch dressing
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
2 green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Additional buffalo sauce for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
2. Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, drain and rinse with cold water
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and softened cream cheese
4. Mix in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste
6. Fill each pasta shell with the chicken mixture and place in prepared baking dish
7. Pour additional buffalo sauce over the top of stuffed shells
8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the shells
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until sauce is bubbly and cheese is golden
10. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving
11. Garnish with additional green onions and serve hot
Notes
Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking
Leftovers can be stored in refrigerator for up to 3 days
For milder flavor, reduce buffalo sauce amount
Can substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience
Add diced tomatoes for extra flavor and moisture
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 stuffed shells
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1240mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg