Buffalo Mac & Cheese

Take your mac & cheese game to the next level with this bold and cheesy twist that’s always a crowd favorite. Packed with creamy ranch dressing, gooey cheddar and Monterey Jack, crispy bacon, and a fiery kick of buffalo sauce, this dish is a guaranteed win for your game-day spread.

I’ve made this recipe for Julian to take to Super Bowl parties, and it quickly became a must-have among his friends. There’s something so comforting about the combination of cheesy pasta with a spicy kick that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Serve it up at your next gathering, and don’t be surprised when it disappears in record time!

Ingredients:

Prep time: 10 minutes, Cook time: 45 minutes, Servings: 8

  • 1 lb. elbow macaroni
  • 3 Tbsp. butter, plus 2 tbsp. melted butter
  • 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey jack
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/3 cup buffalo sauce, plus more for garnish
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • Chopped chives, for garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Butter a 9”-x-13” baking dish. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a medium pot over medium. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Slowly add milk to flour mixture, while whisking constantly. Continue whisking until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove pot from heat and stir in cheeses until fully melted. Stir in ranch dressing and buffalo sauce and season with salt and pepper. Fold pasta and crumbled bacon into the cheese mixture and scrape into the prepared baking dish.
  4. Toss panko with melted butter and sprinkle on top. Bake until bubbly and golden, 25 to 30 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle with chives and more hot sauce before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Delish