Okay, so picture this: it’s a chilly evening, you’re craving something warm and comforting, but also, like, BAM! Something with a kick. That’s where my Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe comes in. Seriously, it’s the ultimate mashup of two of my absolute favorite things: creamy, dreamy lasagna and the fiery deliciousness of buffalo chicken wings. I mean, who *doesn’t* love both of those, right?
I remember the first time I made this. My friends were coming over, and I wanted to wow them. Let me tell you, this buffalo chicken lasagna did *not* disappoint! It’s got that perfect balance of cheesy goodness, savory chicken, and that unmistakable buffalo flavor that just makes you wanna keep eating. Trust me, you’re gonna love it!
Why This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe is a Winner
Okay, so why should you try *this* lasagna? Well, let me tell you!
- It’s surprisingly easy to make – even I can do it!
- Seriously flavorful. I mean, buffalo chicken *and* lasagna? Come on!
- It’s a total crowd-pleaser. Everyone always asks for seconds.
- You can totally control the heat. Want mild? Go mild! Fiery? Crank it up!
See? Total winner!
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe Ingredients
Alright, gather ’round! Here’s what you’ll need to make this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna magic happen. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have! We’ve got everything from 1 tbsp of canola oil to 2 cups of shredded white cheddar cheese. Oh! And don’t forget the 1 1/2 pounds of ground chicken – that’s kinda important! Ready? Let’s get cooking!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe: Step-by-Step
Okay, here we go! This is where the magic happens. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it step-by-step. We’re gonna make the *best* Buffalo Chicken Lasagna you’ve ever tasted!
Preparing the Buffalo Chicken Sauce
First up: the sauce! Grab a Dutch oven (or a big pot, if you don’t have one). Heat up a tablespoon of canola oil over medium heat. Now, toss in your 1 1/2 pounds of ground chicken, chopped onion, celery, and grated carrot. Cook it all up, stirring often, until the chicken’s not pink anymore and the veggies are nice and tender. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes, give or take.
Next, add your minced garlic and cook for another two minutes. Careful not to burn it! Burnt garlic is *not* our friend. Now, stir in the diced tomatoes (drained!), that glorious bottle of Buffalo wing sauce (yes, the *whole* bottle!), 1/2 cup of water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring it all to a boil, then turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for a whole hour. Trust me, that hour is important! It lets all the flavors meld together and get all happy and delicious.
Assembling the Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
While that sauce is simmering away, let’s get the other stuff ready. Cook your lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Don’t overcook them! Nobody likes mushy lasagna. Drain ’em and set ’em aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup of that crumbled blue cheese (save the rest for later!), the minced parsley, and the lightly beaten egg. This is your creamy, dreamy filling!
Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Okay, time to layer! Spread 1 1/2 cups of the buffalo chicken sauce on the bottom of the dish. Then, layer 3 lasagna noodles, 1 1/2 cups of sauce, 2/3 cup of the ricotta mixture, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 2/3 cup of cheddar cheese, and 1/3 cup of blue cheese. Repeat those layers *two more times*. It’s like building a delicious, cheesy tower!
Baking Your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, take the foil off and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and the cheese is all melted and golden brown. Keep an eye on it! Ovens can be finicky.
Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving. This is *crucial*! It lets everything set up a bit, so it’s easier to slice and doesn’t turn into a soupy mess. And that’s it! You’ve made Buffalo Chicken Lasagna! Get ready for the compliments!
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe
Want to make *sure* your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is a total knockout? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way! First off, and I can’t stress this enough: **don’t overcook the noodles!** Slightly undercooked is way better than mushy.
Also, that resting time after baking? Seriously, don’t skip it! 10 minutes (or even 15!) makes a huge difference in how well it slices. And finally, the buffalo sauce! Taste it as you go, and adjust the amount to your liking. My family likes it *hot*, but you do you! This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe is all about making it *your* perfect cheesy dinner!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! First off, the chicken. I usually use ground chicken ’cause it’s leaner, but ground turkey works great too! Honestly, you probably won’t even notice the difference. As for the cheese? Feel free to mix it up! I love the combo of mozzarella, cheddar, and blue cheese, but you could totally swap in some Monterey Jack or even a little pepper jack for extra zing.
And speaking of zing… that buffalo sauce! That’s where all the magic happens. If you’re not a fan of super-spicy food, start with a mild sauce and add a little at a time until it’s just right. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away! This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe is all about making it *your* happy place!
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe
Got questions? I got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask me about this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna. First up: “Can I make this ahead of time?” Absolutely! In fact, I think it tastes even *better* the next day. Just assemble it, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge. Then, bake it as directed when you’re ready to eat.
Next question: “How do I store leftovers?” Easy peasy! Just cover the lasagna tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It’ll keep for 3-4 days, no problem. Another one I get a lot: “Can I freeze this?” Yep! Cut the cooled lasagna into individual portions, wrap ’em tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
And finally, “Can I use different types of cheese?” Of course! Get creative! As long as they melt well, go for it. This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe is all about having fun and making it your own!
Serving Suggestions for Your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe
Okay, so you’ve got this amazing Buffalo Chicken Lasagna… what do you serve with it? I’m a big fan of a simple side salad – something light and fresh to balance out the richness. And honestly, can you ever go wrong with garlic bread? Nope! Some steamed veggies are always a good call too. Broccoli or green beans would be perfect! Keep it simple, let the lasagna shine!
Nutritional Information
Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m not a nutritionist! The nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the brands and ingredients you use, so I don’t provide exact numbers. Just keep that in mind!
Enjoy Your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe!
Alright, you did it! Now go dig in and enjoy your amazing Buffalo Chicken Lasagna! And hey, if you loved it as much as I do, leave a comment or give it a rating! Sharing is caring, right?
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Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Perfect Cheesy Dinner Recipe: 4 Layers of Sin
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is a cheesy and flavorful dinner. It combines the classic comfort of lasagna with the spicy kick of buffalo chicken wings.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1–1/2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 celery rib, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 bottle (12 ounces) Buffalo wing sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1–1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 1–3/4 cups crumbled blue cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup minced Italian flat-leaf parsley
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken, onion, celery and carrot; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer.
- Stir in tomatoes, wing sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions; drain. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup blue cheese, parsley and egg. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce into a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 noodles, 1-1/2 cups sauce, 2/3 cup ricotta mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 2/3 cup cheddar cheese and 1/3 cup blue cheese. Repeat layers twice.
- Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, 20-25 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Buffalo wing sauce to your preferred spice level.
- For a smoother sauce, blend the sauce with an immersion blender before layering.
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Unknown
- Sugar: Unknown
- Sodium: Unknown
- Fat: Unknown
- Saturated Fat: Unknown
- Unsaturated Fat: Unknown
- Trans Fat: Unknown
- Carbohydrates: Unknown
- Fiber: Unknown
- Protein: Unknown
- Cholesterol: Unknown