Buffalo Pasta Salad

Backcountry Foodie Recipe

Pack a little extra heat (and a lot more flavor) in your bear bag with this pasta salad.

Rate This Recipe

5 from 15 votes

Add to Favorites / Meal Plans Print Recipe

NUTRITION (per serving)

cal/oz 133

cal/gram 4.8

Calories 786 kcal

PROTEIN 11 g

CARBOHYDRATE 65 g

Fiber 3 g

Added Sugar 0 g

Total Fat 53 g

Saturated Fat 8 g

Cholesterol 26 mg

Sodium 1800 mg

Home Prep Time 3

Field Prep Time 5

WT/SERVING 5.9 oz (165 g)

MEAL PREPCold Soak, Cook, Dehydrator Not Required

Diet TYPESDairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Sugar, Nut-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings1 serving

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (85 g) elbow macaroni, precooked and dehydrated, or any small pasta shape
1 Tbsp (0.8 g) red bell peppers, freeze-dried
½ Tbsp (2 g) jalapeno peppers, dehydrated
1 tsp (1 g) red onion, freeze-dried
1 Tbsp (10 g) buffalo sauce mix, powder
6 packet (67 g) mayonnaise
8 oz (240 mL) water

OPTIONAL

1 cup (70 g) ziti, precooked and dehydrated (substitution), Instant product available from Outdoor Herbivore
1 cup (85 g) elbow macaroni, gluten-free - precooked and dehydrated (substitution), gluten-free option
1 tsp (5 g) red bell peppers, dehydrated (substitution)
½ tsp (0.5 g) red onion, dehydrated (substitution)
6 packet (63 g) mayonnaise, vegan (substitution), vegan option

INSTRUCTIONS (per serving)

HOME

Put noodles, bell pepper, jalapeno, and red onion in a bag or container to be used in the backcountry. See the meal prep tip below.
Pack buffalo sauce powder in a separate bag or container to be stored with the noodle bag.
Pack 6 packets (67 g) of mayonnaise to be added when the meal is consumed.

FIELD

Add 8 oz (240 mL) of hot or cold water to the noodle bag.
Let noodles and vegetables stand until fully rehydrated.
Consume or properly discard the remaining broth to practice the Leave No Trace principle. Skipping this step will produce a "soup" consistency and dilute the sauce.
Add buffalo sauce powder and 6 packets (67 g) of mayonnaise.
Stir to mix well and enjoy!

NOTES

MEAL PREP TIPS

Any mini-shaped pasta can be used for this recipe, with larger shapes not rehydrating as quickly. When available, we prefer ditalini pasta.
When rehydrated, this recipe fills a Talenti jar to the very top. Mixing in the sauce can get messy, so we recommend using a slightly larger jar.
Powdered buffalo sauce mix can be found in the salad dressing or sauce mix aisles in grocery stores.

NUTRITION

Total sugar (per serving): 3 g with no added sugar

Did you make this recipe? We'd love to see it!Share photos from your kitchen or the backcountry below.