Looking for something a little different to add to your Labor Day menu this year? Creamy Buffalo "Chicken" Pasta Salad is a great option to serve your family and friends or to take to a holiday potluck! Bow-tie pasta, sweet bell peppers, crisp celery, and MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Wings are coated in a zesty buffalo sauce and ready in no time for a dish that's great as a main or on the side!

With one son that's a vegetarian in my house, pleasing everyone with the same recipes can be a challenge. When my vegetarian son mentioned one thing he did miss eating since he decided to become a vegetarian was buffalo wings...I took the challenge head on and created this delicious pasta salad full of wholesome veggies!

We are no strangers to MorningStar Farms® brand of plant-based protein options. It's true they're great for vegetarians, but even us non-vegetarians enjoy them!  I regularly purchase MorningStar Farms® Original Chik Patties because we all love how they taste and they are so convenient for weeknight meals for the whole family. And, you'll almost always find MorningStar Farms® Grillers Original Burgers in my freezer. (I like to grill them!) But, we had not had MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Wings before trying them out in this recipe!

Verdict?

We loved them, and they worked perfectly as the plant-based protein source in this Creamy Buffalo "Chicken" Pasta Salad!

How to make Creamy Buffalo "Chicken" Pasta Salad

Mix up the dressing! It's easy because there's only a few ingredients. The bold buffalo flavor comes from your favorite bottled buffalo wing sauce. Use as much or as little as you like to adjust the level of heat! 

Bake MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Wings according to package directions. Once cooled enough to handle, chop into bite-sized pieces.

Allow mixed salad to chill for a bit and then serve!

Not only does this Creamy Buffalo "Chicken" Pasta Salad make a great dish for Labor Day or any summer holiday, it also makes a great, portable tailgating dish for all those big games everyone can enjoy!

Not looking to work this vegetarian option into your diet? This recipe works great by substituting grilled or breaded chicken nuggets in place of the vegetarian product shown. 

Creamy Buffalo "Chicken" Pasta Salad

By Renee Paj

Bow-tie pasta, sweet bell peppers, crisp celery, and vegetarian "Buffalo Wings" are coated in a zesty buffalo sauce and ready in no time for a dish that's great as a main or on the side!

Ingredients

• 10.5 oz. package MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Wings, baked according to package directions or 2 cups diced fully-cooked chicken breast
• 8 oz. dry bow tie pasta, cooked al dente, according to package directions and rinsed in cold water
• 1 cup mayonnaise (can be olive oil type)
• 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup bottled Buffalo Wing Sauce (any brand)
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 1 TBS granulated sugar
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/2 cup diced sweet bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange)
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1 large green onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Instructions

1. In large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buffalo wing sauce, celery salt, fresh ground black pepper, and sugar
2. When cool enough to handle, chop baked MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Wings into bite sized pieces.
3. Add pasta, celery, bell pepper, onion, carrot and cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir to coat. Toss in chopped MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Wings or fully cooked diced chicken breast and stir. Sprinkle with green onion and blue cheese crumbles (if using).
4. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour to allow flavors to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Yield: 8-10 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.

Cook time: 01 hrs. 00 mins.
Total time: 1 hrs. 10 mins.

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