Description
A flavorful and refreshing Buffalo Chickpea Pasta Salad that’s easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow pasta (or your pasta of choice)
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing (or a plant-based alternative)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or dairy-free cheese alternative
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool it down. Set aside.
- Prepare the Chickpeas: In a large bowl, combine the drained chickpeas with a few tablespoons of buffalo sauce. Stir until evenly coated. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, shredded carrots, and fresh parsley. Stir gently to mix everything together without mashing the chickpeas.
- Dress the Salad: In a smaller bowl, whisk together the remaining buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. Pour this dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop, or longer if possible.
- Serve: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for added creaminess and flavor. Enjoy your delicious Buffalo Chickpea Pasta Salad!
Notes
- Adjust the buffalo sauce to your heat preference.
- For a vegan option, make sure to use a plant-based ranch dressing.
- This salad can be made a day in advance for even better flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg