This Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta Salad is the perfect Gluten Free Summer Potluck Recipe for entertaining friends and family with dietary restrictions!
OK guys, you caught me. I’m totally obsessed with buffalo ANYTHING. Recently, I’ve made buffalo chicken fingers, buffalo cauliflower tacos, and buffalo cauliflower steaks! But with summer finally approaching, and the first big outdoor event of the year around the corner (hello Memorial Day), I thought a traditional picnic or potluck recipe was in order. I’m a huge fan of pasta salad (in fact, one of my all time most popular recipes is THIS vegan gluten free pesto bad boy!), so I knew another was in order for this Summer ahead. This gluten free vegan buffalo cauliflower pasta salad is insanely delicious, packed with spicy-sweet flavour and lots of yummy veggies.
How to Make Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta Salad
This is a crazy simple recipe but will IMMEDIATELY become your go-to pasta salad without a doubt regardless of whether or not you’re vegan or gluten free. To make this gluten free vegan buffalo cauliflower pasta salad, you’ll want to start by roasting a head of cauliflower at a super high heat until caramelized and golden. Then I simply add it to a bowl full of gluten free fusilli, penne or macaroni, along with some chopped up carrots and celery.
But the real key to this summer potluck friendly pasta salad is the sauce. It’s a simple combination of hot sauce (always Frank’s of course!), agave (or honey, if you’re not vegan), lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Seriously, it could not be simpler.
I top mine off with a cooling drizzle of vegan ranch dip, but you can totally omit this in a pinch. I’m partial to my vegan buffalo cauliflower pasta salad just as it is, but if you’re not vegan, you can totally add chicken to this, and if you’re not gluten free, by all means, use whatever pasta you like! It’s all about that spicy sweet sauce that literally EVERYONE recognizes and loves.
Now lovelies, let me know- what are some of your go-to pasta salad recipes?
Have you tried making this gluten free vegan buffalo cauliflower pasta salad?
Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 lb gluten free or whole grain fusilli or penne
- 2-4 carrots depending on size, peeled and diced
- 4 stalks celery diced
- 3 tbsp chives minced
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce I use Frank’s
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsp agave or honey
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Ranch Sauce:
- 1/2 pack ranch dip seasoning mix
- 1 cup vegan plain yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Spread the cauliflower florets onto a baking sheet with olive oil and roast for 20 minutes, turning and tossing once.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the box’s directions. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the carrots, celery, and cauliflower to the pasta.
- In a bowl, mix together the hot sauce, oil, agave, lemon and salt to taste. Toss generously with the pasta salad.
- In another small bowl, mix together the seasoning mix and yogurt. Transfer to a piping bag.
- To serve, drizzle the ranch sauce over the pasta salad and top with the minced chives.
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian, an avid food writer and blogger, a cookbook author and the founder of Abbey’s Kitchen Inc.
Torie says
Is this a cold pasta salad that will be good all week long or a warm pasta dish?
Abbey Sharp says
either works!
rebecca says
I’ve got a bottle of hot sauce that I’ve gotta use up! this is the perfect use of it! thanks for sharing!
Abbey Sharp says
amazing! Enjoy love
Richard Reyes says
Its look yummy and tasty. I love pasta salad and i always looking for the different types recipes of it. thanks for sharing this recipe, I wanna try it.
Abbey Sharp says
Amazing! Enjoy!
Relentless Forward Commotion says
You had me at “vegan” and “buffalo”! Buffalo anything (wings, chicken fingers, etc.) were my FAVORITE before I became a vegetarian almost 6 years ago. So I’m always up for any sort of substitution. This looks delicious!
Abbey Sharp says
amazing! You’ll love this recipe!
Mikki says
Oh I am so going to PIN this. It looks fabulous! I’m thinking my hubby would love it.
Abbey Sharp says
amazing! Thanks love
Carrie A Groff says
Yum!! I love anything buffalo chicken!! Saving this recipe to make-and-take to our 4th of July party this year!!
Abbey Sharp says
amazing! Enjoy love
jill conyers says
I love the idea of pasta salad and buffalo sauce.
Abbey Sharp says
It’s a crazy delish combo!
Elysia | Haute & Healthy Living says
YUM!!! This pasta salad looks amazing! I never thought about adding cauliflower to a pasta salad before, but it looks awesome!
Abbey Sharp says
Total game changer! You’ll love it
Amy Gorin says
Love all the colors!
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks love!
Sofia says
Looks so yum!
Abbey Sharp says
thanks!
Deborah Brooks says
This is a fun idea for a pasta salad! Looks great
Abbey Sharp says
Totally! Thanks Deborah