Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

I didn't grow up eating macaroni and cheese out of a box.   Sure, we indulged in our fare share of pasta covered in melted cheese but it was something my mom always made from scratch.🧀  (Yes, I was spoiled with a mom who made amazing meals for us when I was growing up.😅) I'm fairly certain that it was after I moved away to college when I learned that macaroni and cheese was something that could be made from ingredients in a box.😳  

I'm not a fan of boxed macaroni and cheese partly due to the lack of flavor but mostly because of the fact that it's full of ingredients that I don't like to consume.🥴  I'll admit that there have been days when I've experiences moments of weakness (and complete exhaustion) when I did succumb to the pleading of my two young children who begged for character shaped pasta with powdered cheese packets.  It's undoubtedly simple to prepare and the kids really seemed to enjoy it.  I didn't buy the boxed stuff very often though because I hold true to the belief that homemade macaroni and cheese is just so much better than anything that comes in a box.  

Homemade macaroni and cheese really isn't hard to make and a lot of the time, I make it as a way to use up leftover bits of cheese that are taking up space in my refrigerator.  I've been making a lot of charcuterie boards recently which means that I've bought lots of different kinds of cheeses.  I toss all of the ends and pieces of the extra cheese that aren't pretty enough to end up on the charcuterie board into a bag and when it gets full, I know it's time to make my homemade macaroni and cheese.

I wasn't sure how the Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese would go over with my husband with a heat sensitive pallete - but he loved it.😅   And so did the rest of us.  I used a rotisserie chicken and a food processor to quickly grate my cheese which really made this a simple dish to put together.  I also assembled my Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese and put it in the freezer for a couple of weeks before I pulled it out and baked it.  So for anyone wondering if it can be made in advance: yes, and it's amazing. 😋  

Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
2 Tablespoons butter
​1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tablespoon flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese 
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup Buffalo-style hot sauce
2 Tablespoons buttermilk ranch dressing
1 pound dried pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  

Melt butter in skillet.  Add onion, garlic, salt and pepper and cook 3-4 minutes. 

Stir in flour and cook 2-3 minutes. 

Stir in milk and cream.  Bring to a boil and continue cooking 2-3 minutes. 

Reduce heat to low and stir in cheeses. 

Add chicken, hot sauce and ranch.  

Add cooked pasta and stir to combine.  Top with hot sauce to serve. 

Ciao!

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