If you’re looking to shake up pasta night with a spicy, creamy, utterly comforting casserole, get ready to meet your new obsession: Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist. This dish is a mashup of all the best things—a little heat from Buffalo sauce, the savory coziness of shredded chicken, layers of rich cheeses, and the cool undertone of ranch seasoning. It’s impossible to eat just one slice, and the blend of flavors makes it perfect for game day, family dinners, or any night you want to impress your taste buds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how a thoughtful combination of everyday ingredients can create something so unforgettable! Every component in this lasagna recipe has a special role, whether adding creaminess, bringing in a punch of flavor, or creating those irresistible cheesy layers.
- Lasagna noodles: The sturdy backbone of this casserole, cooked until just tender for the perfect bite.
- Cooked and shredded chicken breast: Tender chicken soaks up all the Buffalo flavor and stays juicy throughout baking.
- Buffalo wing sauce: This is the heart of the zing—choose your favorite brand for the right level of spice.
- Ranch seasoning mix: Adds a cool, herby tang that perfectly balances the heat of the Buffalo sauce.
- Ricotta cheese: A luscious, creamy layer that mellows out the spice and adds richness to every bite.
- Large egg: Binds the ricotta, ensuring your layers hold together beautifully.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melty and stretchy, mozzarella creates those classic lasagna cheese pulls.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharpness and a little extra boldness to the cheesy mix.
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional): For blue cheese fans, this amps up the Buffalo chicken character—if you don’t love it, extra mozzarella or cheddar works great too.
- Chopped green onions (optional): A fresh, snappy garnish that finishes the dish with color and a subtle bite.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for rounding out all the flavors perfectly.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist
Step 1: Prep the Base
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until just shy of al dente—they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain the noodles and lay them out on a clean surface or a bit of parchment so they don’t stick together.
Step 2: Mix the Flavored Chicken
Grab a large bowl and combine your shredded chicken with Buffalo wing sauce and the ranch seasoning mix. Give it a good toss, making sure every piece is outrageously saucy and packed with tang. If you want a little kick, now’s your chance to add an extra splash of Buffalo sauce or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Ricotta Layer
In a separate bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, a large egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The egg binds the mixture so your cheesy layer stays rich and fluffy. This cooling ricotta mixture is the secret weapon that contrasts all the bold Buffalo flavors.
Step 4: Layer the Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist
Spread a thin layer of the Buffalo chicken mixture on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish—this keeps the noodles from sticking. Lay three noodles over the chicken, then spoon on a third of your ricotta mixture, a third of the remaining Buffalo chicken, and top it all off with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and cheddar. Keep building those layers until you run out of ingredients, and if you’re going blue cheese, sprinkle it on the very top.
Step 5: Bake to Golden, Bubbly Perfection
Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes so everything melds together. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, allowing the top to get bubbly and irresistibly golden. Once it’s out of the oven, let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes to set—this makes slicing neater and helps all the flavors marry together.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist
Garnishes
This is a lasagna with attitude, so finish it with flair. Scatter chopped green onions across the top for a bright, fresh bite and a pop of color. If you love extra flavor, a light drizzle of ranch dressing or more Buffalo sauce on each slice just before serving brings it all home.
Side Dishes
Since Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist is full of bold flavors, it shines next to simple sides. A crisp green salad with a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing keeps things fresh, and a basket of garlic bread is perfect for scraping up every cheesy, spicy bite. For heartier meals, roasted veggies like broccoli or cauliflower pair beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
This lasagna is already a showstopper, but you can push it even further! Try cutting it into bite-sized squares for party appetizers, or serve each portion in mini ramekins for individual servings. Set up a DIY topping bar with extra ranch, blue cheese crumbles, green onions, and pickled jalapeños so everyone can customize their slices.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have extras, cover the remaining Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist tightly in the refrigerator. It’ll keep beautifully for up to four days. The flavors only get better as they mingle, making leftovers something to look forward to!
Freezing
This lasagna is a freezer’s best friend. Simply let the cooked lasagna cool completely, then slice and wrap each piece in foil or freezer-safe containers. It’ll happily hang out in the freezer for up to three months. Just label and date so you remember when you made it.
Reheating
To bring slices back to life, reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and bubbling. For speed, the microwave works fine—just cover the slices to keep moisture in. Add a splash of extra Buffalo sauce or ranch before serving if you want to refresh those punchy flavors.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken to save time?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver for Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist and adds an extra layer of flavor thanks to its seasoning. Just shred and mix it with your sauces like regular chicken breast.
What if I’m not a fan of blue cheese?
No worries at all—simply substitute more mozzarella or cheddar cheese in the final layer. You’ll still get a melty, creamy top that balances the heat perfectly.
Can I assemble the lasagna ahead of time?
Definitely. Prepare the full lasagna up to a day in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator. When you’re ready, bake as directed, adding extra time if needed to warm everything through.
How can I make this spicier (or milder)?
To make your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist spicier, stir in more Buffalo sauce or add some chopped jalapeños. For a milder version, reduce the Buffalo sauce a bit and balance with more ranch seasoning or cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
It sure is! Slice the fully baked and cooled lasagna into portions and store them in airtight containers. Each serving reheats easily, so you can enjoy Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist all week long.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist yourself! With its bold flavors, creamy layers, and comforting bite, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser that’ll bring excitement to any dinner table. Give it a whirl—you might just discover your new signature casserole.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist is a spicy and creamy twist on the classic lasagna, perfect for game day or a hearty family dinner. Layers of buffalo chicken, rich ricotta cheese, and gooey mozzarella make this dish a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles:
9 lasagna noodles
Cooked and Shredded Chicken:
3 cups
Buffalo Wing Sauce:
1 cup
Ranch Seasoning Mix:
1 packet
Ricotta Cheese:
15 ounces
Egg:
1 large
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese:
2 cups
Shredded Cheddar Cheese:
1 cup
Crumbled Blue Cheese (optional):
1/2 cup
Chopped Green Onions (optional):
2 tablespoons
Salt and Pepper:
to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions.
- Prepare Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning until fully coated.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread a thin layer of the buffalo chicken mixture in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, buffalo chicken, and cheeses.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese with extra mozzarella or cheddar.
- Rotisserie chicken can be used for quicker prep.
- For a spicier version, add extra buffalo sauce or hot sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg