Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta (One Pot!)

This Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta is life-changing! Tangy buffalo drenched noodles and a homemade ranch seasoning that will transform a classic appetizer into your new favorite meal! 

If you’re looking for a dish that everyone will love, look no further than this Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta! Everybody’s favorite appetizer, but transformed into a creamy, tangy pasta dish that’s one for the book. Tender noodles get drenched in a spicy buffalo ranch sauce, then topped with crispy vegan chicken. Plus you only need one pot and 25 minutes to make it!

INGREDIENTS + INSPIRATION

If you know me, you know how much I love turning my favorite appetizers and dips into main course meals…so it was only a matter of time before this Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta was born 😉  Creamy, tangy buffalo sauce gets mixed with hearty noodles and, rather than ranch dressing, a zesty homemade ranch seasoning for a flavor combination that cannot be beat!

You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using any gluten-free pasta of your choosing. I chose to sauté some leftover chicken in the pan first (mine was cajun seasoned) for an extra boost of protein, but that is optional if you want to leave it out or swap it for something else! Check the cooking tips below for alternatives to vegan chicken.

Cashew Butter vs. Cream Cheese: the recipe states that you can use either cashew butter or vegan cream cheese to make the creamy buffalo sauce at the end of cooking. Cashew butter will make more of a thick, alfredo-style sauce, while the vegan cream cheese will melt and make the sauce thin and glossy. I personally prefer the texture from the cashew butter, but everyone is different and the vegan cream cheese is a great nut-free option too 🙂

HOW TO MAKE ONE POT VEGAN BUFFALO RANCH PASTA

The magic of one pot pasta never ceases to amaze me – plus it’s one less dish I have to clean later. Cooking the pasta in the spicy buffalo sauce gives it even more delicious flavor, and once it’s fully cooked your left with firm noodles and a creamy sauce – no soggy messes to be seen here!

1. Melt butter and sauté the vegan chicken until lightly browned, then set aside.
2. In a pot, sauté the garlic, then add the nutritional yeast, parsley, dill, and onion powder, and toast lightly. Add the dry pasta to the pot and pour in water and buffalo sauce. Boil.
3. Cook the noodles until tender, then add a cornstarch slurry and let the sauce thicken. Stir in vegan cream cheese or cashew butter, then add the cooked chicken. 
4. Season with salt & pepper and fresh herbs, if desired. Enjoy!

This Vegan Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe is perfect for weekend dinners, game days, or backyard get-togethers with friends. It’s definitely one of those dishes that everyone at the party will want to try! I mean, who doesn’t love the sound of buffalo chicken pasta?! 

Top yours with fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or green onions and maybe a touch of vegan mozzarella cheese. Serve it with a side of carrots and celery with ranch or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate buffalo experience! This dish is best served fresh, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or dairy-free milk 🙂

COOKING TIPS + FAQ:

• Pasta Shape: Let your pasta-loving heart run wild! Any short pasta shape will do here 🙂 Rotini, fusilli, farfalle, elbows, or penne pasta would all be great shapes! 
• Add extra veggies! This recipe is perfect for building off of; add any of your favorite vegetables to this like spinach, peas, or broccoli.
• Vegan Chicken Replacements: I went with one of my favorite brands of vegan chicken for this recipe, but feel free to replace it with any other protein substitute you’re craving! Try it with my super easy crispy tofu or baked tempeh, or keep it simple & delicious by just using chickpeas instead!
  
  

If you’re looking for more appetizer-inspired recipes, you’ll also love this Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Casserole, this Jalapeño Popper Pasta Bake, and this Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta Salad!

Finally, if you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I love seeing your delicious recreations 🙂

One Pot Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 10 reviews

This Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta is life-changing! Tangy buffalo drenched noodles and a homemade ranch seasoning that will transform a classic appetizer into your new favorite meal!

• Author: Caitlin Shoemaker
• Prep Time: 5 Minutes
• Cook Time: 20 Minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
• Category: Main
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons vegan butter or oil, divided
• 8 ounces vegan “chicken”* (see notes for subs)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast 
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 8 oz (225 g) pasta* 
• 3 1/4 (770 ml) cups water
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) buffalo wing sauce 
• 2 tablespoons vegan cream cheese or cashew butter
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch (only if using cream cheese)*
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh parsley or dill, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Vegan Chicken: melt 1 tablespoon of vegan butter in a large pot or deep sauté pan over medium heat. Add the vegan chicken to the pot and cook according to package directions, until lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Aromatics: Melt the remaining butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the nutritional yeast, parsley, dill, and onion powder and toast for an additional 30 to 60 seconds. 
3. Add the Pasta: Place the dry pasta in the pot and pour in the water and buffalo sauce. Bring everything to a boil over high heat.
4. Simmer: reduce the heat to medium and cook until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking. Cook time will vary based on the pasta, but it will most likely be the longer end of the estimated cook time on the package.
5. Final Touches: If you are using the cornstarch, dissolve it in a small amount of water, then add it to the pot and simmer until the sauce has thickened some. Turn the heat to low and stir in the vegan cream cheese or cashew butter until evenly incorporated. Return the vegan chicken to the pot and stir, then season with salt to taste or additional hot sauce if necessary.
6. Serve: serve warm topped with fresh herbs, or as desired. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Notes

• Vegan “Chicken”: I used Daring Food Chicken but you can replace it with the same amount of your favorite meat alternative as well – just cook according to the package instructions. You can also replace the chicken with 1 can of drained chickpeas (add them with the spices in step 2) or make my Crispy Tofu and mix that in in the end! You can also make the pasta without a vegan protein; if so, start the recipe at step 2 and use only 1 tablespoon of butter or oil.
• Gluten-Free: use a gluten-free vegan chicken and a shorter gluten-free pasta shape! Corn and brown rice-based varieties tend to break less.
• Oil-Free: sauté the garlic and spices in water instead of oil and use cashew butter in place of vegan cream cheese

Keywords: vegan buffalo pasta, vegan buffalo ranch, buffalo ranch pasta, one pot vegan pasta