Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken!

Chef Amelia
October 19, 2023
232 Comments

I’m so excited to share this recipe for Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken with you! It’s one of my favorite summer side and Christmas dishes. It’s packed with flavor, super easy to make, and perfect for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions.

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This salad has all the classic Buffalo flavors you love, like tangy hot sauce, creamy blue cheese, and crunchy celery. But instead of chicken, it’s packed with fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Am sure you are going to love this recipe!

Ingredients for Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken

To create this mouthwatering buffalo pasta salad without chicken, you will need the following ingredients:

Pasta

It’s pasta time! The backbone of our buffalo pasta salad without chicken. An often underestimated element, the pasta can truly make or break your dish. Embrace the versatility that pasta can bring to this salad.

Buffalo Sauce

Use genuine buffalo sauce for an authentic taste in your pasta salad
To adjust the heat, you can add more or less buffalo sauce to your preference
Using buffalo sauce adds a desirable tang and touch of heat to your salad

flavorful buffalo pasta salad served to perfection

Ranch Dressing

No buffalo pasta salad is complete without ranch dressing, and our buffalo pasta salad without chicken is no exception.

Celery

Celery is more than meets the eye, especially in our buffalo pasta salad without chicken. Its crunchy texture and distinctive flavor take this popular salad to another level altogether.

It doesn’t stop there; celery is also a powerhouse of essential nutrients that amplify the health benefits of our buffalo pasta salad

Preparation Steps for Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken

Cook the Pasta

Now, ready for your step-by-step guide? It’s simple. Cook your pasta in generously salted water (season the water, not the pasta!). Remember to stir it occasionally to keep from sticking together. Did we mention that the cooking water will be handy later?

You’re nearing the finish line of pasta perfection! Check frequently for doneness. Once done, set aside to cool. But wait, we’re not water wasters!

Don’t forget to save a cup of pasta cooking water. This starchy elixir is your secret weapon to an even creamier buffalo pasta salad.

Alright, the pasta is cooked, rinsed, and drained. Now here’s a pro tip: Toss your pasta with a little bit of oil to prevent sticking.

Prepare the Sauce

Start by combing a cup of hot sauce, a dash of vinegar, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of garlic. Stir until well blended, then let it simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

As the sauce thickens, add a teaspoon of cornstarch dissolved in a little water. This trick gives the sauce an appetizing, glossy finish. Always taste and adjust the flavors to your liking, maybe a bit more vinegar for extra tang? The choice is yours.

Finally, let the sauce cool before mixing it into your pasta. Adding it while hot might make your pasta salad a bit soggy.

Delicious Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken recipe

Chop the Vegetables

In the kitchen waltz with buffalo pasta salad without chicken, the size of your moves, or rather, your chops count.

Precise, uniform bites of celery, carrots, and onion not only contribute to the salad’s visual appeal but also ensure every forkful is perfectly balanced.

Infusing finesse in your chops is significant in making your buffalo pasta salad without chicken a standout. Too large, and you risk overpowering the delicate buffalo and ranch blend.

Too small, and your salad could be void of that necessary crunch. The aim? Aim for harmony in every bite.

Assembling Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken

Evenly coat your cooked pasta and colorful veggies in some spicy buffalo-ranch sauce, stir gently to preserve the integrity of ingredients. Remember to chill before serving.

Buffalo pasta salad without chicken is can be as vibrant as a rainbow, thanks to the variety of veggies. To assemble, toss well-cooked pasta with chopped celery, carrots, and red onion, drizzle with buffalo-ranch sauce.

Combine the Pasta, Sauce, and Vegetables

You can now add your finely chopped celery, shredded carrots, and slivers of red onion.

Give everything a thorough but tender mix, ensuring every bite later will be a perfect mixture of al dente pasta, creamy, fiery sauce, and revitalizing crunch.

Toss and Refrigerate

Tossing your buffalo pasta salad without chicken helps the pasta, vegetables, and delectable sauce mix well. Now, you’re set for a rich, textural eating experience that will tickle your tastebuds.

Here’s a secret – refrigerating your buffalo pasta salad post-tossing can make a world of difference.

In case you were wondering if you should serve your buffalo pasta salad without chicken straight away or tuck it in the refrigerator – always go for the latter!

Tips for Making the Best Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken

Use a Toothsome Pasta

Firstly, let’s talk pasta power. Picking the right pasta is slotting square one into the buffalo pasta salad without chicken puzzle. Penne and fusilli provide nooks for the buffalo sauce so well.

Toothsome Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken recipe

Pasta performs more than a mere filler role in your buffalo pasta salad without chicken.

Lastly, choose a pasta that’s toothsome, resilient, holding its shape, and texture under the onslaught of buffalo sauce and weight of mixed veggies.

Adjust Heat and Spice Levels

Buffalo sauce plays the starring role in any buffalo pasta salad, especially one without chicken. To cater to your heat preference, you can customize the spice level.

Whether you’re a mild-mannered herbivore or a fiery heat seeker, making adjustments is a breeze. Simply increase or decrease the quantity of buffalo sauce in the mix based on your taste.

Now, for those yet to navigate their spicing spectrum, here’s a piece of advice. Start mild and gradually ramp up the heat if you find it to be too tame.

Keep in mind, this buffalo pasta salad without chicken should be enjoyable, so don’t let the spice overthrow the other flavors. Balance is key.

More pasta recipes to try:

Orzo Pasta Salad Without Feta Recipe

FAQs about Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken

Can I make this salad in advance?

Yes – you can hitch this wagon a day early! Coming home to a meal that’s already done? Truly, timing could not be more everything. Cook it in advance, allow it to cool and it’ll handle the refrigerator like a champ.

How long does the salad stay fresh?

Well, your homemade buffalo pasta salad could stay fresh for up to 3-5 days if properly stored in a tight-lid container inside the fridge.

Can I add a protein alternative to this recipe?`

It’s not just about the greens with this salad! If you’re not a fan of traditional vegan proteins, lentils can be a great addition. Or perhaps, amp it up further with some roasted chickpeas!

Q: Can I make this salad vegan?

Yes, you can easily make this salad vegan by using vegan butter, vegan mayo, and skipping the ranch dressing or using a vegan ranch dressing.

Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken!

Chef Amelia

Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken should be on your recipe list! It's one of my favorite summer side and Christmas dishes. It's packed with flavor, super easy to make, and perfect for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions.

4 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 345 kcal

Ingredients

Pasta:

8 ounces of your favorite pasta rotini or penne works well
Salt for boiling water

1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
½ cup diced cucumber
¼ cup diced red onion

¼ cup chopped celery
¼ cup diced carrots

Buffalo Sauce:

½ cup hot sauce

¼ cup melted butter or vegan butter substitute
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo substitute

2 tablespoons ranch dressing
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Boiling the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepping the vegetables:
In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, chopped celery, and diced carrots. Mix well to evenly distribute the vegetables.
Making the buffalo sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, and white vinegar until well combined. Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your desired level of spiciness.

Assembling the salad:
Add the cooked pasta to the bowl of vegetables. Pour the buffalo sauce over the pasta and vegetables. Toss gently to coat the pasta and vegetables with the sauce.
Adding the dressing:
In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serving:
Once chilled, give the salad a final toss before serving. Serve the buffalo pasta salad without chicken chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired. Enjoy as a main dish or as a side dish alongside your favorite grilled vegetables or tofu.

Notes

When whipping up buffalo pasta salad without chicken, remember that freshness impacts taste. So, ideally, consume it within the first 24 to 48 hours.

What about after 2 days? Although it’s still safe to consume buffalo pasta salad without chicken up to 5 days, do note that it might lose some texture and flavor as time progresses. Your pasta may become a bit soggy after absorbing the sauce too much.

Lastly, a sign of your buffalo pasta salad going bad is a sour smell or off-taste, even before the 5-day mark. If you notice such changes, it’s safer to discard the salad at once. Your health is more important than not wasting food!

Keyword buffalo pasta, Buffalo Pasta Salad Without Chicken, Christmas dishes

Chef Amelia

Amelia is a passionate chef who finds joy in trying out different cuisines and dishes and sharing her expertise with the world. She enjoys cooking and curating recipes so much!

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