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Crispy Buffalo Wings & Cheesy Baked Ziti

A delicious combination of crispy buffalo wings and cheesy baked ziti that offers a comforting twist to traditional favorites, perfect for family meals or game nights.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Buffalo Wings
  • 2.5-3 lbs chicken wings, tips removed and separated into drumettes & flats Use fresh or thawed wings.
  • 1 tbsp baking powder (aluminum-free) Helps crisp the skin.
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or avocado oil) For drizzling.
Buffalo Sauce
  • 0.5 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or preferred)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (or use ghee/olive oil for lower saturated fat)
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for balance)
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
For the Cheesy Baked Ziti
  • 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
  • 1 large egg (optional — helps bind the ricotta)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley (for finishing)
Optional sides & garnishes
  • Celery sticks and carrot sticks
  • Blue cheese or ranch dressing (or Greek yogurt-based dip)
  • Lemon wedges

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
  2. Pat wings very dry with paper towels.
  3. In a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
Baking the Wings
  1. Arrange wings on the rack in a single layer, skin-side up. Drizzle lightly with oil.
  2. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40–45 minutes, flipping once at about 25 minutes, until skin is deep golden and crisp.
  3. If you like them extra-crispy, broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
Buffalo Sauce
  1. While wings bake, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, honey (if using), and smoked paprika in a small saucepan.
  2. Warm gently over low heat just until combined — about 2–3 minutes. Do not boil.
Assemble and Serve Wings
  1. Transfer baked wings to a large bowl and pour the warm buffalo sauce over them.
  2. Toss until evenly coated and serve immediately.
Cook Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook ziti 1–2 minutes less than package directions (so it’s al dente). Drain and set aside.
Mix Cheese Filling
  1. In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg (if using), Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Stir until creamy.
Assemble Ziti
  1. In a large bowl or pot, mix cooked pasta with marinara and half of the cheese mixture (reserve a little ricotta for dollops).
  2. Pour half into a 9×13-inch baking dish, dollop remaining ricotta mixture, add the rest, and top with remaining mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
Bake the Ziti
  1. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake another 10–12 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  3. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Plate and Enjoy
  1. Serve buffalo wings hot with celery and dip beside the cheesy baked ziti.
  2. Sprinkle basil or parsley over the ziti for color.

Notes

For extra-crispy wings, use a wire rack and baking powder, and don’t overcrowd the pan. You can also air-fry for a healthier option. Variations include making the wings with skinless chicken or using a vegan approach.