This copycat version of Walmart's Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad tastes just like the original! This broccoli salad will quickly become a family favorite to make time and time again.
I've mentioned before that I used to work in the deli department of my local Walmart. One of my favorite salads at Walmart is Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad. It didn't occur to me to try to make it at home until recently! I'm not sure why, I started making a version of a Mozzarella, Tomato, and Artichoke Salad they used to carry years ago! I guess time passing made me forget about it.
I left there 4 years ago when I had my daughter. I finally decided to come up with my own version of the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad to serve at her birthday party last Saturday. What I came up with tastes EXACTLY like the store-bought! With rotini pasta, fresh broccoli and cheese, diced red onion, and a sweet mayonnaise dressing, this is perfect for summertime cookouts, family get together's, or anytime.
I am updating this post exactly three years and five months to the day that I published it. Since that time, and until just recently, it was my most viewed recipe every single day. It has more than twice the amount of views then any other recipe I've ever shared, and yet it never did well on Pinterest because the photo was so small.
I think it's simply the fact that it's a favorite broccoli salad recipe, pasta salad recipe, and copycat recipes out there that makes it so popular.
I've really learned a lot about photography in the last three years! I still don't consider myself a photographer, it will always be more that I love to cook and share recipes. I made it several times since, for cookouts and other events, but I could never remember to take better photos, or improve on the writing, until I made it this past Saturday for my "niece's" 20th birthday party.
Here is the old photo:
Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad
You can whip up this salad in just a few minutes. It does need to stay cold since it contains mayonnaise, so put it on a bowl of ice or refrigerate it after two hours.
More pasta salad recipes for you to try:
Bacon Ranch Green Onion Pasta Salad
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Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad (Walmart Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces tri-colored veggie rotini pasta (1 box)
- 1 medium head broccoli chopped into small florets
- 1 medium red onion diced fine
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, with a few drops of olive oil and dashes of salt in the water to keep the pasta from sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool and set aside in a large bowl.
- Wash the broccoli well and chop into small florets. Chop the onion fine, and mix the broccoli and onions with the pasta. Add the cheddar cheese to the pasta mixture, mix well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, and apple cider vinegar well. Pour the mixture over the top of the pasta, broccoli and onions, and stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Sandra Holt says
Love Walmarts version of this Pasta salad. Have just made it from your receipe and it is exactly the same. Love it and thanks for sharing.
Bernadette says
Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it!
Jeannie says
I brought this salad to my boyfriend's Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party, and everyone said who brought this salad, everyone loved it! So did his Mom and Dad!
Bernadette says
Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
C Sheets says
Thank you! Thank you! I have been looking for this exact recipe! I knew what I wanted in it - I just didn't have exact amounts!
Josh Miller says
I LOVE this recipe, but I added bacon and chicken. I cooked about 6 or 8 strips of bacon, and set aside to cool before chopping. I took ~2 Tablespoons of the bacon grease and and added it to the dressing, and then cooked a couple chicken breasts in the remaining bacon grease, and let cool before chopping and adding to the salad. I also added about 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil to the dressing to make it a bit thinner.
Bernadette says
That sounds fabulous, thanks for sharing!
Felicia says
Hi! I found this recipe and I plan on trying it for dinner! Im so excited because I love love Walmart's version but it's super expensive.
I have but one question: Is there a mayo that works better than others? I use Dukes and love it, but I know sometimes it doesn't work well due to it's flavor. I'm thinking maybe Miracle whip?
Bernadette says
Hi Felicia! I would NOT use Miracle Whip, it wouldn't taste like Walmart's salad then. I never heard of Dukes so I'm not sure, I usually use Hellman's regular mayo ( as in not the olive oil or low fat version). Hope that helps, and I hope you like it!
Dianne says
good, easy recipe. I only used half the sugar...and next time I will cut the mayo, too. Its real good as is, I just am used to a little lighter...
Bernadette says
Sorry, I missed your comment completely! I do understand, I'm not a low fat, low sugar, low anything kind of cook, but I know there are people out there that either have to or want to.
Jeannie says
Ok, this is Jeannie again, just finished, almost forgot to put the cheese in. But all in all the mayo, sugar and vinegar was so perfect! I won't use coleslaw dressing again. You hit this one on the nail! TY again.
Bernadette says
You're welcome!
Jeannie says
This is my second time making this! delish! we ate every bit of it, last time I made it I used some coleslaw dressing, this time I'm using the mayo, sugar and apple cider vinegar. I added a little celery for crunch! Yum Bernadette, ty so much for this recipe!
Phil says
Which was better..this recipe or with the Cole slaw dressing?
Bernadette says
Hi Phil! I'm not sure what kind of cole slaw dressing she used, but I've only ever tried this recipe with the mayo.
Jeannie says
The mayo, sugar and apple cider vinegar is the best to use not the Cole sale dressing. I hope this helps Phil.
Phil says
Just made this using the mayo/sugar/vinegar and it's even better than Wal-mart's version... Thank you so much for this recipe.
Bernadette says
You're welcome, and I'm so glad you liked it!
Tina says
I don't usually comment on blogs but I found this recipe, and I tried it today. I must say it is spot on to the one Walmart offers.. Everyone in my house is raving about how good it is. It only cost me about $4 to make and I got well over two pounds of pasta. This is a wonderful recipe.. You are a cooking GOD....
Bernadette says
I wouldn't even come CLOSE to calling myself a God, but thank you!! So much cheaper than the store bought, I know 🙂
sunday says
I love this salad at walmart, but at 4 bucks a pound, I can only buy it once in a blue moon. I can't wait to try it, think I will this weekend. Thank you for the recipe!!
toya says
Tried it last nite with pan seared chicken breast.... omg I must say it taste sooooooooooo. Dam good.... only thing I added wasjust a pinch of salt n pepper....
Bernadette says
Glad you liked it!
Christal Lyn says
I made this last night following your recipe because me and my mom absolutely love this salad from Walmart. It came out perfect! Tasted fabulous! However.... woke up this morning and found out my mom and her girlfriends made a huge dent in it, so on to another batch 😉
Bernadette says
Thanks so much! Glad you, your mom and her friends liked it 🙂
crystal haney says
I too worked in the deli at my local walmart and I absolutely love this pasta salad....gonna try ur recipe this weekend
Bernadette says
I know, it's a fabulous salad 🙂 Thanks! Are you related to Matt and Meredith Haney?
cyndy says
could you tell me how many people does this batch feed?
Bernadette says
I would say 8-12 as a side salad, maybe more. Hope that helps!
sheryll says
aw dang it, i dont have any cheese. will it work without it, i wonder
Bernadette says
I suppose, although it is much better with it! Maybe add something else then, like chopped hard boiled eggs?
Lisa DeLeo says
I made it over the weekend Bernadette...It was scrumptious...thanks for the recipe and all of your hard work!!
Bernadette says
Thank you!!
Lisa DeLeo says
Just wanted to point out you forgot adding the cheese in the directions...lol...but it sounds delish!!!
Bernadette says
I did? Shoot! I will fix it tomorrow!
Donna says
I was the deli mgr for 12 yrs at Wal-Mart, they also put real bacon bits in theirs, aprox 3T per batch
Bernadette says
Hi Donna, sorry I missed your comment. I have never seen bacon bits in the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad, but it is the the Broccoli Raisin Salad that doesn't have pasta in it. Unless maybe Reiser changed their recipe at some point, or make it differently for certain areas of the country. I left Walmart 8 years ago.
Bernadette says
I just looked, I see 2 cups of mild cheddar cheese, shredded in the ingredient list. I may have forgot to add in in the directions, but just mix it in with the rest after the pasta has cooled.
Marcia says
This is a wonderful salad! I had to giggle at the comment about not putting the cheddar cheese in the directions: You have it in there, but about an hour after I made it I remembered that I had actually Forgotten to add the cheese! ( I then added) Yummy!
Bernadette says
Hi Marcia, I believe I did accidentally forget the cheese in the directions at first. You would be surprised how many times I forget things in my own recipes! I'm so glad you liked it!
Linda says
Does this said tend to try out after a bit?
Bernadette says
Hi Linda, I'm assuming you are asking if it tends to dry out after a bit? Well, since it has mayonnaise it needs to be kept cold, either on ice or put back in the fridge, covered, after two hours. I've never had it dry out and have eaten leftovers the next day perfect fine.
Bernadette says
All fixed now! Thank you for pointing that out 🙂
judy says
Cheese was added to pasta mix in instructions.
darla says
read it again.. she didnt leave it out. it says 2 cups mild cheddar. shredded
Maggie says
It was missing at one point until she edited it back in 2013 🙂
Louie says
It's in Step 2
Summer says
My daughter asked for this salad for her upcoming birthday party. So I am going to try your recipe as it sounds super easy and delicious!
Bernadette says
Thank you! Please let me know if you like it 🙂
luli says
I have a question, is the broccoli cooked or not cook. Whats the most effective way to cut it. Would it be the same as buying the broccoli in the bag?
Bernadette says
Hi Luli,
The broccoli is not cooked. I just chop a head of broccoli on a cutting board with a sharp knife. You could buy a large bag of fresh broccoli if your grocery store carries it, but be sure to wash it well. I hope that helps!
Elise green says
Not cooked
Cathy says
I usually make the regular broccoli salad with raisins and nuts and use red wine vinegar in the dressing. Adds a little extra sweetness.
I've been looking for directions for the pasta version.
Thanks for posting this.
Bernadette says
You're welcome!
Pamela says
It's fresh broccoli not frozen or cooked!
Donna says
The broccoli is fresh, raw, not cooked or frozen. They also put real bacon bits in, but theis recipe doesn't show that
Cindy @Hun... What's for Dinner? says
This sounds really, really good Bernadette. Super easy too, which I love! Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Bernadette says
It is really good 🙂
Delaine says
Bernadette can this recipe be made a day or so ahead?
Bernadette says
Hi Delaine, sure! As long as it's kept refrigerated, it will be fine for 3-4 days.
Kristi says
It's still really good after being refrigerated for a day or two.
Bernadette says
Yes, absolutely! I make a lot of it and eat the leftovers a few days later often.
Kristin says
this is right up my alley : ) I will be making for a boat ride this summer!
Bernadette says
Enjoy!
Kare says
Ty ty I love this receipe
Bernadette says
I'm so glad you love it, thanks!
Geneva says
Can you add chopped ham in the salad?
Bernadette says
I don't see why not, it sounds good to me!
Pam Otte says
Is it miracle whip or hellmans mayonnaise
Bernadette says
It's regular mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip.
Tiffany says
Would it be ok to make it ahead of time? To serve the next day
Bernadette says
Hi Tiffany, that would be fine! Just keep it covered in the refrigerator. Happy Thanksgiving!
Geneva says
Can you add chopped ham in the salad?
Jeannie Varga says
7/7/15
I think you hit it right on the head !!! I tasted mine at Kroger Good Stuffffff