I recently tried making the Buffalo Wild Wings Pasta Salad Recipe, and let me tell you, it was a hit! The creamy, tangy dressing combined with the spicy kick of buffalo sauce and the crunch of fresh vegetables made for a delightful dish.
Whether you’re planning a summer picnic, a potluck, or just a casual dinner, this pasta salad is sure to impress your guests. It’s easy to prepare, customizable to your taste, and packed with bold flavors. Let’s dive into the details of this scrumptious recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
1. Easy to Prepare
This Buffalo Wild Wings Pasta Salad takes just 20 minutes to prepare—perfect for busy days when you need a quick and satisfying dish. The best part? There’s no cooking involved beyond boiling the pasta. Toss everything together, and it’s ready to chill in the fridge while you prep the rest of your meal.
2. Customizable Flavors
One of the things I love about this pasta salad is how flexible it is. You can adjust the level of spiciness based on your preferences by adding more or less buffalo sauce. Plus, you can toss in different vegetables, cheeses, or even swap out the protein to make it your own. Whether you’re looking for a milder version or something with a real spicy kick, this recipe allows you to personalize it to suit your taste. It’s as customizable as recipes like the best one-pot cheeseburger pasta recipe and other hearty favorites.
3. Great for Meal Prep
If you’re looking for a dish that’s perfect for meal prepping, this pasta salad is it. You can make it ahead of time, and it only gets better as it sits in the fridge. The flavors meld together beautifully over time, making it ideal for packing lunches or having on hand for easy meals throughout the week.
4. Crowd-Pleasing Dish
This pasta salad is a crowd favorite. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, a picnic, or a backyard barbecue, it’s bound to be a hit. The creamy buffalo sauce and the crunch of fresh vegetables make it a perfect balance of textures, and the spicy-salty flavors appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (since the chicken is pre-cooked)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Buffalo Wild Wings Pasta Salad:
- 1 (16 ounce) package dry rotini pasta
- 1 cup chunky blue cheese dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound frozen cooked chicken strips, defrosted and diced
- 1 cup red onion, diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
Variations
Dairy-Free
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the blue cheese dressing with a dairy-free alternative or a creamy vinaigrette. For the mayo, you can use a vegan version, and just make sure to check the buffalo sauce ingredients to ensure it’s dairy-free.
Vegetarian Option
If you’re looking for a vegetarian version, swap the chicken for chickpeas, tempeh, or tofu. These plant-based proteins can provide a similar texture and can absorb the flavor of the buffalo sauce just as well. You might also enjoy exploring bold flavors like those found in chicken and harissa pasta.
Spicy Kick
For an added punch of heat, you can introduce some diced jalapeños or even a dash of cayenne pepper to the dressing. Adjust the buffalo sauce according to how spicy you like your dishes, and add as much or as little heat as you prefer.
Gluten-Free
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, simply use gluten-free rotini or your favorite pasta variety to make this recipe safe for everyone.
Equipment You Need
Here’s the equipment you’ll need for making this pasta salad:
- Large Pot: To boil the pasta until al dente.
- Colander: To drain the pasta and remove excess water.
- Large Mixing Bowl: To combine all the ingredients together.
- Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping the vegetables and chicken.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To accurately measure ingredients like the buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, and dressing.
How to Make Buffalo Wild Wings Pasta Salad?
1. Cook the Pasta
Start by filling a large pot with water, adding a pinch of salt, and bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook for about 8 minutes or until it reaches al dente texture—firm to the bite but not too hard. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and help it cool down. This will also prevent the pasta from sticking together while it’s chilling in the fridge.
2. Prepare the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the blue cheese dressing, mayonnaise, and buffalo wing sauce. Add the salt and black pepper, and stir until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. This creamy dressing will provide the perfect balance of richness and heat for the pasta salad. Make sure to taste it before adding the pasta to ensure it has the flavor profile you want, adjusting the seasoning or buffalo sauce as needed.
3. Combine the Ingredients
Add the cooled pasta, diced chicken strips, red onion, and bell peppers to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure each piece of pasta is coated with the creamy, spicy dressing. If you like a bit of crunch, feel free to add in some diced celery or even shredded carrots for extra texture.
4. Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour. This gives the flavors time to meld together, making the salad even more delicious when served. The longer it sits, the more the ingredients absorb the dressing, creating a flavorful dish that’s perfect for serving at parties or as a side dish to any main meal.
For another hearty meal option, you might also love the cheesy broccoli chicken pasta bake.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Cool the Pasta: Be sure to cool the pasta thoroughly after draining it. Rinsing it under cold water helps prevent it from continuing to cook and ensures it stays firm rather than mushy.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Don’t be afraid to play around with the buffalo sauce to achieve your desired spice level. If you like it hot, add more sauce; if you prefer a milder flavor, use less.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables not only add more flavor but also provide a nice contrast in texture to the creamy pasta. Make sure your bell peppers and onions are diced evenly for a uniform bite.
- Give It Time to Chill: While it’s tempting to dig in right away, letting the pasta salad chill in the fridge for an hour (or even overnight) really enhances the flavors. It also gives the dressing time to soak into the pasta and vegetables.
How to Serve Buffalo Wild Wings Pasta Salad?
This pasta salad can be served as a side dish or as a main course for lunch or dinner. To make it visually appealing, garnish with additional chopped green onions, a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese, or a few sprigs of fresh parsley. It’s perfect alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or as part of a larger buffet-style spread.
For a more hearty option, serve it in individual bowls with a side of crispy bread or garlic toast to complete the meal.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 400 per serving
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 20g
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on ingredient brands or substitutions.
Make Ahead and Storage
This pasta salad can easily be made in advance, which is perfect for meal prepping or preparing for a party. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you need to make it even earlier, you can freeze it, but keep in mind that the texture may change when thawed.
For the best results, serve within a few days to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients.
Buffalo Wild Wings Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce package dry rotini pasta
- 1 cup chunky blue cheese dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound frozen cooked chicken strips defrosted and diced
- 1 cup red onion diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper diced
Instructions
- Start by filling a large pot with water, adding a pinch of salt, and bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook for about 8 minutes or until it reaches al dente texture—firm to the bite but not too hard. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and help it cool down. This will also prevent the pasta from sticking together while it’s chilling in the fridge.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the blue cheese dressing, mayonnaise, and buffalo wing sauce. Add the salt and black pepper, and stir until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. This creamy dressing will provide the perfect balance of richness and heat for the pasta salad. Make sure to taste it before adding the pasta to ensure it has the flavor profile you want, adjusting the seasoning or buffalo sauce as needed.
- Add the cooled pasta, diced chicken strips, red onion, and bell peppers to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure each piece of pasta is coated with the creamy, spicy dressing. If you like a bit of crunch, feel free to add in some diced celery or even shredded carrots for extra texture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour. This gives the flavors time to meld together, making the salad even more delicious when served. The longer it sits, the more the ingredients absorb the dressing, creating a flavorful dish that’s perfect for serving at parties or as a side dish to any main meal.
Notes
- Be sure to cool the pasta thoroughly after draining it. Rinsing it under cold water helps prevent it from continuing to cook and ensures it stays firm rather than mushy.
- Don’t be afraid to play around with the buffalo sauce to achieve your desired spice level. If you like it hot, add more sauce; if you prefer a milder flavor, use less.
- Fresh vegetables not only add more flavor but also provide a nice contrast in texture to the creamy pasta. Make sure your bell peppers and onions are diced evenly for a uniform bite.
- While it’s tempting to dig in right away, letting the pasta salad chill in the fridge for an hour (or even overnight) really enhances the flavors. It also gives the dressing time to soak into the pasta and vegetables.
