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!
- 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
- 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
- 1/2 pack ranch dip seasoning mix
- 1 cup vegan plain yogurt
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Preheat oven to 450 F.
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Spread the cauliflower florets onto a baking sheet with olive oil and roast for 20 minutes, turning and tossing once.
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Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the box's directions. Transfer to a large bowl.
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Add the carrots, celery, and cauliflower to the pasta.
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In a bowl, mix together the hot sauce, oil, agave, lemon and salt to taste. Toss generously with the pasta salad.
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In another small bowl, mix together the seasoning mix and yogurt. Transfer to a piping bag.
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To serve, drizzle the ranch sauce over the pasta salad and top with the minced chives.
This is a fun idea for a pasta salad! Looks great
Totally! Thanks Deborah
Looks so yum!
thanks!
Love all the colors!
Thanks love!
YUM!!! This pasta salad looks amazing! I never thought about adding cauliflower to a pasta salad before, but it looks awesome!
Total game changer! You’ll love it
I love the idea of pasta salad and buffalo sauce.
It’s a crazy delish combo!
Yum!! I love anything buffalo chicken!! Saving this recipe to make-and-take to our 4th of July party this year!!
amazing! Enjoy love
Oh I am so going to PIN this. It looks fabulous! I’m thinking my hubby would love it.
amazing! Thanks love
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!
amazing! You’ll love this recipe!