Description
Creamy buffalo chickpea pasta salad delivers spicy comfort with Mediterranean flair. Cool ranch dressing and zesty chickpeas create a perfect balance for quick summer meals you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound short pasta
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) chickpeas, drained
- 2 small avocados, chopped
- 10 ounces (283 grams) grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper, diced
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1/2 large red onion, diced
- 2 green onions, diced
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (4 ounces / 113 grams) green chiles
Seasonings and Dressing:
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 2/3 cup vegan mayo
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and cool under cold running water to stop cooking process.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chickpeas and seasonings, stirring frequently until they develop a crispy exterior, approximately 3 minutes.
- Pour buffalo sauce into the skillet with chickpeas, continuing to cook for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring chickpeas are evenly coated and heated through.
- Create ranch dressing by blending mayonnaise, diced green chiles, minced garlic, selected herbs, and apple cider vinegar until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine cooled pasta, chopped fresh vegetables, crispy buffalo-coated chickpeas, and prepared ranch dressing.
- Garnish the pasta salad with thinly sliced green onions, providing a fresh, sharp flavor and vibrant color contrast to the dish.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and enhance the overall taste profile of the salad.
Notes
- Pasta Selection Choose short, sturdy pasta like rotini or shell shapes that hold sauce and chickpeas well without falling apart.
- Chickpea Crispiness Pat chickpeas completely dry before cooking to ensure maximum crunchiness and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Heat Control Use medium-high heat when crisping chickpeas to develop golden exterior without burning seasoning or sauce.
- Dietary Adaptations Swap mayo with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for lighter, plant-based ranch dressing option that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg