Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

If you love spicy both Buffalo wings and lasagna, this Buffalo chicken lasagna recipe is for you. It’s a clever remix of the Italian classic, one that’s packed with ground chicken, Buffal0 sauce-infused tomato sauce and blue cheese-ricotta filling. The layers of cheesy noodles are comforting and cozy, but the extra spice makes it a little more exciting. Most baked pasta recipes are great make-ahead meals (especially lasagna), and this Buffalo lasagna is the perfect game-day party food or potluck recipe.

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

• Canola oil: Neutral-tasting cooking oil, like canola oil, lets the exciting flavors shine.
• Ground chicken: You may associate Buffalo sauce with chicken wings, but ground chicken is equally tasty. Dark meat will be the juiciest. Ground turkey is a good alternative.
• Aromatic vegetables: Minced onion, celery, carrot and garlic contribute to the sauce.
• Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes make a speedy, fresh-tasting sauce.
• Buffalo wing sauce: Pick up a jar of wing sauce at the grocery store or make homemade Buffalo sauce. It’s easier than you think; hot sauce, vinegar, butter and molasses are combined to make an unctuous, tangy, spicy sauce.
• Seasonings: To add flavor, sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt and pepper into the sauce, and parsley into the ricotta mixture.
• Lasagna noodles: Use plain, dry lasagna noodles and cook them according to the package directions. No-boil lasagna noodles work too!
• Ricotta cheese: Soft, sweet ricotta lends the distinctive creaminess to lasagna.
• Crumbled blue cheese: Tangy, kicky, savory blue cheese is a delicious complement to the Buffalo sauce.
• Egg: A beaten egg added to the ricotta cheese mixture helps the ingredients adhere together and boosts moisture.
• Melting cheeses: Layering melting cheeses between the noodle layers adds ooey-gooey texture. We use mild-tasting part-skim mozzarella cheese and white cheddar.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the vegetables and chicken

In a Dutch oven, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the ground chicken, onion, celery and carrot. Cook and stir until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.

Step 2: Add the sauce ingredients

Add the garlic to the pot and cook for two minutes longer. Stir in the tomatoes, wing sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and simmer the sauce for one hour.

Step 3: Cook the noodles

Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain them and set them aside.

Step 4: Prep the ricotta mixture

In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup of blue cheese, parsley and egg.

Step 5: Layer the lasagna

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread 1-1/2 cups of the sauce into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Layer it with three 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 the layers two more times, finishing with the blue cheese.

Step 6: Bake the lasagna

Bake the lasagna, covered with foil, for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake it until it’s bubbly and the cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Baking the lasagna covered first gives the noodles and sauce time to cook without drying out the surface of the pasta.

Step 7: Rest the lasagna

Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving it.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t skip this step! Resting the lasagna allows the liquid to be absorbed by the noodles, and the layers to stabilize. This makes for easier and cleaner slices.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Variations

• Turn down the heat: If you’re serving Buffalo chicken lasagna to guests with a low tolerance for heat, reduce the amount of wing sauce to 4 ounces and add an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
• Turn up the heat: Want more spice? Use fire-roasted canned tomatoes instead of plain diced tomatoes and pepper jack instead of white cheddar cheese. Serve the meal with plenty of ice water or even a glass of milk!
• Reduce the fat: Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta, which is similarly soft, sweet and mild-tasting but has less fat.

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

Buffalo chicken lasagna can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered with storage wrap or foil. Alternatively, you can transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. It will last up to four days.

Can you freeze Buffalo chicken lasagna?

Yes, lasagna freezes very well. Allow the cooked lasagna to cool completely and cover it tightly in storage wrap and aluminum foil. Buffalo chicken lasagna will last up to three months in the freezer.

How do you reheat Buffalo chicken lasagna?

While you can reheat individual slices of lasagna in the microwave, we prefer to reheat whole lasagna in the oven because it results in a better texture. Heat the oven to 350° and bake the lasagna, covered with foil, for 30 to 45 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the lasagna warms through.

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Tips

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

What’s the secret to a great lasagna?

Experts agree that the best lasagnas have the ideal mix of texture and rich flavors. This Buffalo chicken lasagna has the flavor covered with its spicy, tangy sauce, its funky blue cheese, its savory cheddar and classic Italian flavors.

Next up is texture. The noodles are best when they’re not too soggy, not too hard. Since they’ll continue to soften as the lasagna bakes, make sure to boil the noodles until they’re just al dente, which means tender but with a bite. The sauce and cheeses should be evenly spread across the noodles so there are no puddles or globs and definitely no dry spots. Giving the lasagna enough time to bake uncovered ensures a browned, bubbly cheese topping. It also makes the edges of the noodles crisp up slightly, creating a delightful contrast with the creamy sauce.

What can you serve with Buffalo chicken lasagna?

Buffalo chicken lasagna pairs nicely with a loaf of crusty bread and a green salad. You can also jazz it up with garlic bread and grilled vegetables, or add fresh celery sticks on the side for a cooling crunch. When in doubt, choose one of the same side dishes you can pair with spaghetti.