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Devour-Inspired Buffalo Chicken Mac
Melissa Hart

Devour-Inspired Buffalo Chicken Mac

Buffalo chicken, pepper Jack and cheddar distinguish this frozen-meal-inspired mac from plain orange bowls. Cooked chicken is folded into cavatappi, while blue cheese is optional but used sparingly. A short broil creates dark cheese spots without drying the spicy sauce underneath.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb cavatappi
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar divided
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper Jack
  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup buffalo-style hot sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese optional

Method
 

  1. Boil cavatappi 2 minutes short of tender, reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Melt butter, whisk in flour for 1 minute, add milk and simmer until lightly thickened.
  3. Remove from heat and melt in 1 1/2 cups cheddar and pepper Jack, then stir in chicken, hot sauce and salt.
  4. Fold in pasta with enough reserved water to keep the sauce loose and transfer to a broiler-safe dish.
  5. Top with remaining cheddar and blue cheese if using and broil until browned in spots.