This Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is creamy, spicy, and packed with protein—thanks to the cottage cheese! The blended cottage cheese makes the sauce super smooth and rich while keeping it lighter and extra creamy. Add shredded chicken and buffalo sauce, and you’ve got a flavor-packed comfort food that’s easy to make and totally satisfying.
Let’s get cooking!
What You’ll Need
For the Mac & Cheese:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 1 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
- ⅓ cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
For Topping (Optional):
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1 tbsp chopped green onions
Pro Tips
⭐ Blend the cottage cheese! It makes the sauce extra smooth and creamy.
⭐ Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
⭐ Want it spicier? Add extra buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
⭐ Love a crispy top? Bake with breadcrumbs for 5-10 minutes after mixing.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Strainer
- Blender or food processor
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Substitutions & Variations
✔️ No Cottage Cheese? Use Greek yogurt or ricotta.
✔️ Gluten-Free? Use gluten-free pasta.
✔️ Dairy-Free? Use plant-based cheeses and dairy-free cottage cheese.
✔️ Want More Crunch? Add crispy bacon bits or crushed tortilla chips on top.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil elbow macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Blend the Cottage Cheese Sauce
In a blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, shredded cheddar, and Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth.
3. Mix the Buffalo Chicken
In a bowl, toss shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and melted butter until fully coated.
4. Combine Pasta, Sauce & Chicken
Pour the blended cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and stir until fully coated. Then, mix in the buffalo chicken.
5. Serve & Garnish
Top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions. Serve warm!
Leftovers & Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on the stove with a splash of milk to make it creamy again.
Enjoy!
This Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese with Cottage Cheese is creamy, spicy, and totally delicious. Perfect for a cozy night in or meal prep! Let me know if you try it. 😊🔥🧀