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Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 8
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 172.8
  • Total Fat: 4.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 34.6 mg
  • Sodium: 191.5 mg
  • Total Carbs: 18.2 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.7 g
  • Protein: 15.5 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Buffalo Chicken Mac n Cheese calories by ingredient
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Buffalo Chicken Mac n Cheese

Submitted by: CHEF_MEG
Buffalo Chicken Mac n Cheese

Introduction

All the flavor you crave, in macaroni and cheese form to keep your fingers clean! All the flavor you crave, in macaroni and cheese form to keep your fingers clean!
Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

    2 cups whole wheat pasta shells
    1 cup finely chopped cauliflower
    1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    1 large onion, finely chopped
    2 stalks celery (about 1 cup), finely chopped
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1/2-3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, depending on desired heat levels
    1 cup petite diced no salt added tomatoes
    1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
    2 cups skim milk
    12 ounces cooked chicken breast, diced
    2 tablespoons buffalo sauce
    1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese





Tips

Top with chopped green onions, parsley, or celery. Serve with additional hot sauce and a dollop of Greek yogurt.


Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Coat a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook pasta according to directions.
While the pasta is cooking, continue with the rest of the dish.
Place the cauliflower into a microwave safe dish, and cook on high 2 minutes.
Add the butter to a large saucepan set over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add the onion and celery to the pan.
Cook for about four minutes, until the vegetables are soft, then add the garlic. Cook for one minute.
Add the cayenne pepper and tomatoes to the pan, stir to combine, then add the flour.
Stir constantly for one minute, then slowly pour in the milk while stirring.
Drain the pasta.
Add the pasta, chicken and buffalo sauce and stir to combine.
Pour into the baking dish, then top with the cauliflower anc blue cheese.
Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until bubbly. Serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings; 1 cup per serving.







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Member Ratings For This Recipe

  • FOXENSFANCY


    9 of 15 people found this review helpful
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    Im trying to figure out how 1/4 cup of cheese crumbles makes 8 servings of "mac n cheese". looks tasty but I think the title (and picture) might be a bit deceiving - 1/1/13

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  • PYNETREE


    9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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    There are several brands of bottled Buffalo Sauce...all with different calorie, nutritional counts. Just read the labels, some are more Spark Friendly. - 1/1/13

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  • PAULAMMAY


    8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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    Green onions, parsely and celery are mention in "Tips". Use 1/4 cup gorgonzola instead of bleu cheese for stronger chesse flavor. Buffalo sauce usually refers to Frank's Hot Sauce - no butter or fat content would be much higher. - 1/1/13

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  • DIANA3BANANA

    Very Good
    7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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    When I saw the title of this recipe, I envisioned a bubbly and cheesy dish. This is not the case. Tthis is not a cheesy dish at all as you would expect a mac and cheese to be. That being said, I did like it and will probably make again, and try to make it a bit thicker, the sauce was runny. - 1/11/13

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  • DAK72560


    7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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    Buffalo Sauce (by SparkPeople)
    Number of Servings: 7
    Ingredients
    Hot Pepper Sauce, 1/2 cup
    Butter, salted, 1/3 cup melted
    Directions
    Melt butter in pan, add hot sauce to blend and serve or use to coat chicken, wings, etc.

    - 1/1/13

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  • BEINGCAUSE


    5 of 18 people found this review helpful
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    photo has green onions and parsley - not mentioned in the recipe -- once agin photo does not match recipe - 1/1/13

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  • SH9719


    5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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    I found this recipe on-line

    1/2 cup butter or use Smartbalance 50/50 butter blend
    1 cup Frank's red hot sauce
    2 teaspoons cayenne
    For a creamier sauce I add 2 tablespoon mayo tones down the spice too if your not a fan
    - 1/1/13

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  • UMMZAHIRA


    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Are the two cups pasta shells two cups before or after cooking? - 1/13/13

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (1/24/13)
    Two cups dry. :) Chef Meg


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  • MARIEBEE51

    Incredible!
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Lovwd, loved, loved this! So did my teenage son. I used chipotle chili powder in place of cayenne, which gives is a nice smoky undertone. Will definitely be making it again. - 1/1/13

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  • DESBROMILOW


    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    For the benefit of your "non-US" readers - what is "buffalo sauce"? What would be a reasonable substitute?
    Thanks,
    Des - 1/1/13

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (2/11/13)
    Glad to help- you could make your own Buffalo sauce with a couple of shots of red hot sauce/tabasco and tomato juice. Chef Meg


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  • CBANDCB


    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    In general, Buffalo Sauce is equal parts butter (or margarine or whatever) and hot sauce. I don't know if there's a Spark-friendly version.... - 1/1/13

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  • PENNEYV

    Incredible!
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    Just used hot sauce instead of buffalo sauce. Everyone loved it. No leftovers for lunch. :( - 1/7/13

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  • KVJORDAN


    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Pretty good, just have to add your own to match the picture. - 1/1/13

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  • LEANJEAN6

    Very Good
    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    so tasty-- - 1/1/13

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  • GRAMMAJUDY1


    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    May I make a suggestion. Dredge the celery and onions in the flour and then cook the vegetables in the butter. The flour will cook thoroughly and will thicken the dish more evenly.
    - 4/29/13

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  • MARTI1LL

    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    I love it. Mine turned out thick but I drained my tomatoes. I have been eating leftovers for lunch. I pair it with a small side salad with light blue cheese dressing and a piece of fruit. YUMMO and filing. - 2/7/13

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  • AWMUELLER

    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    I will make this again and thicken it up some with cornstarch or instant potato flakes. Or with some of the leftover cauliflower, cook and use blender to cream it in the milk. I used a can of Rotel hot diced tomatoes with habaneros.Next time I'll not use as much Franks hot sauce either. - 1/27/13

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  • PATRICIAANN46

    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    The entire family liked this. Will make it again..... - 1/1/13

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  • ELEANER


    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    Is there a recipe for the Buffalo Sauce? - 1/1/13

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  • LLTE40A

    Incredible!
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    We really liked this. Because of the comments that it was runny, I only used 1 cup of skim milk and with the calories saved I added 1/3 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese. It was not runny at all and creamy. This felt like real comfort food. - 5/8/13

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (5/17/13)
    Great swap!
    Chef Meg


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  • MOROCHA2010

    Incredible!
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    It definitely took me longer than 15 minutes to prep this dish, but it was well worth it! DH and I loved it, I can't believe it's healthy! - 4/29/13

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  • PATTIE441

    Incredible!
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    Love this! Thank you! - 4/29/13

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  • MIRANDACAR

    Very Good
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    WOW! My three year old ate it! and if my three year old gives the thumbs up. We have another recipe that will be apart of your weekly dinners:) Yummy! - 4/29/13

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  • VJWIX11

    Very Good
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    Used rotisserie chicken, gorgonzola, a LOT of Franks Hot Sauce, and cilantro. Very good and filling! - 4/16/13

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  • MRSVK11

    Incredible!
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    made this tonight for dinner it was so good! - 4/10/13

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  • SXB990

    Incredible!
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    This was soooo tasty and the family had no clue what was in it ! Loll. And I got to stick to my diet! - 4/2/13

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  • ADNAW_YOTS

    Incredible!
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    I am not the cook in my home since my son and husband do all the cooking. So I am always nervous when I branch out. Well received and they ate seconds. There is another flour I will use to thicken it next time. I added a handful of light shredded cheese. chipotle seasoning and Frank's.Thanks Meg! - 3/20/13

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (3/25/13)
    Great Job!
    Chef Meg


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  • DYE_25

    Incredible!
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    This was amazing! The 3/4t. of red pepper was a little spicy for some, so I will cut back a bit next time, which will be soon. I used Franks Red Hot for the buffalo sauce. - 3/4/13

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  • AUNTIELAURA

    Incredible!
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    Yum, yum! I did add some lowfat cheddar cheese as a last step. I was more generous with all the veggies (I used the whole can of tomatoes, drained), only used one cup of milk since I added cheese and topped with parsley/green onions. I served it with a healthy salad. It looked just like the picture. - 2/28/13

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  • BRIICK758083

    Very Good
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    I wouldn't actually consider this a Mac-N-Cheese recipe, as there really isn't any cheese in it. That being said, it was really good, we added a bit more hot sauce as we love spicy things. I feel like this was a great substitute for my buffalo wing craving. Will definitely make again! - 2/27/13

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  • RHYNOZ

    Very Good
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    Great!! Added a little more buffalo sauce and used some reduced-fat cheddar instead of blue cheese since my family does not like it! Lots of flavor, will def make again! - 2/21/13

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  • SDJ098


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    like the reviews will have to try this. - 2/18/13

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  • MMARSTELLER1

    Very Good
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    This was very good but agree with others that it needs some cheese. For the leftovers I added about half a cup of low fat Mexican cheese blend and a quarter cup of feta...yummy! Even my somewhat picky 13 year old daughter liked it. Will make it again for sure! - 2/7/13

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  • 3119GIRL

    Very Good
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    superbowl - 2/5/13

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  • BUDDYROO66

    Incredible!
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    Very good recipe, entire family liked. Was even better the next day after the flavors blended. Will definately make again! - 2/4/13

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  • NANK52

    Very Good
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    I used people's comments to adjust the recipe. It just didn't sound at ALL like M&C. I used half whole milk and half 1%. At the last minute, I caved and added 2 ounces Cabot Habanero cheddar to the sauce. Divided the casserole into 6 servings. Only 282 calories and very satisfying. - 1/20/13

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  • PAULAAUTUMN

    Very Good
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    I used different cheese as I don't like blue cheese when it is cooked
    I added some very thinly sliced baby leeks to this as well. I can get Buffalo sauce in the UK but is very expensive at around £4 per bottle so I used a milder sauce that I can get easily. Very succesful will make this again, - 1/10/13

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  • JCATALANO531

    Very Good
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    Very tasty and easy to make! - 1/6/13

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  • LOPEYP

    Very Good
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    Just the right amount of heat. - 1/6/13

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