Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
with Les Aliments M&M
- Preparation 25 min
- Cooking 30 min
- Servings 6 à 8
- Freezing Absolutely
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🧀 Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese: the ultimate comfort dish for busy nights
📚✏️ Back-to-school season means lunchboxes to pack, rushed dinners after hockey practice, and the constant question of “what’s for dinner?” This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese made with Les Aliments M&M bacon-wrapped chicken tournedos is the recipe to save time while keeping the whole family happy. 🧀🔥
This isn’t just any mac and cheese recipe. Ultra creamy, perfectly spiced, and hearty enough to satisfy hungry teens, it’s the kind of comfort food that feels like grandma’s recipe reinvented with a modern, fiery twist. Gooey cheese coats every piece of pasta, while Buffalo chicken brings a bold kick and the bacon adds an irresistible smoky note.
Among all the mac and cheese dishes out there, this one is a true weeknight lifesaver. You can make it ahead, freeze it, and pull it out whenever you need an easy recipe for mac & cheese casserole that never disappoints. The best part? Leftovers turn into incredible lunches the next day, ready to heat up for school or work. In fact, it’s my kids’ favorite dinner!
And because we all love versatile meals, you can easily customize this mac and cheese and chicken combo—switch up the cheeses, toss in some grilled veggies for color, or bake it in individual ramekins for a party buffet. Comforting, practical, and bursting with flavor, this Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese checks all the boxes.
So if you’re looking for a mac and cheese recipe that goes beyond the basics, pleases the whole family, and delivers serious flavor without extra hassle, this Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is exactly what you need.
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✅ Perfect pasta cooking
Always cook the macaroni al dente: it will keep cooking in the sauce and stay firm without turning mushy.
✅ Extra flavorful chicken
Lightly brush the chicken tournedos with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika before baking to boost the flavor.
✅ Ultra creamy sauce
Whisk the milk gradually into the roux (butter + flour) to avoid lumps.
Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the cheeses: they’ll melt gently and create a smooth, silky texture.
✅ Crispy topping that hits hard
Mix the panko breadcrumbs with a little melted butter before adding: result, an even more golden and crunchy crust.
Toss in a small handful of grated Parmesan with the panko for extra cheesy punch.
✅ Customize the recipe
Swap the mozzarella for provolone or gruyère to give the topping more character.
Add grilled veggies (bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini) for a colorful and more nutritious twist.
✅ Make ahead
Assemble the macaroni in its baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Just pop it in the oven when needed, adding 5–10 minutes to the baking time.
It also freezes beautifully: portion it out, wrap tightly, and store up to 3 months.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- 450 g (1 lb) macaroni
- 4 bacon-wrapped chicken tournedos (568 g / 1 ¼ lb), from M&M Food Market
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 6 tbsp (90 g) unsalted butter
- 6 tbsp (55 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (750 ml) milk
- 1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
- ½ cup (125 ml) Buffalo sauce
- 3 cups (340 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (55 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded (for topping)
- 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- Fresh chives, chopped (to taste)
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Preparation
- Cook the macaroni al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place the bacon-wrapped chicken tournedos on the prepared sheet and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, turning halfway through. Roughly chop once cooked.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk. Add the spices, Buffalo sauce, then season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat.
- Add the sharp cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until smooth and creamy. Incorporate the pasta and chicken, mixing well to coat.
- Transfer the mixture into a large baking dish and spread evenly. Top with mozzarella, then sprinkle with panko. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Garnish with fresh chives and serve with Garlic Bread and Bistro-Style Green Beans from M&M Food Market.
A crispy garlic bread and bistro-style green beans are a perfect match, but a simple crunchy salad or roasted vegetables work just as well.
Yes! Shells, penne, or fusilli also work great, as long as they can hold on to the creamy sauce.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C), covered with aluminum foil, for 15 to 20 minutes to keep the inside creamy and the top crispy.
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