Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups of cooked, shredded BBQ chicken
- 8 oz (about 2 cups) of elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
- 1 ½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of whole milk or heavy cream
- ½ cup of BBQ sauce (preferably smoky or spicy)
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, extra cheese
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large saucepan, melt the softened cream cheese over medium heat. Whisk in the milk or heavy cream until smooth.
- Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and creamy.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, BBQ sauce, salt, and black pepper, combining well to create a flavorful cheese sauce.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with shredded BBQ chicken. Pour the cheese sauce over and gently stir to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with additional cheese and optional toppings like green onions or bacon bits.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of BBQ sauce or add jalapeños to the mixture.
- Use leftover grilled chicken as a quick alternative to BBQ chicken.
- Prepare the dish in advance, cover, and refrigerate overnight for easy weeknight dinners.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed fried onions or breadcrumbs on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: High-Protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480 Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg