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
Angie says
Hello! I am so happy to hear the positive reviews of this recipe. My hubby loves this salad from Walmart so I hope it turns out well! Wish me luck 🙂
Pat says
Howdy from Texas, El Paso. .I recently bought this salad, and I looked it up to make it and I found your recipe. It's Memorial Weekend Big Shout out to all our service military people! Thank you so much! I made this salad and it is absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing. God bless America!
Bernadette says
I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Christy says
Hi there! I am sooo excited I found this. I am addicted to this salad from Walmart & swear I can eat a container at one sitting, which is a very expensive habit. This salad does NOT have bacon in it. I know that for sure because I have some in my fridge right now?. Can't wait to make this. Thanks for sharing!
Roxanne says
Sounds delish! The only difference in the recipe I have is, it doesn't call for mayo or apple cider vinegar. Instead it says use creamy Italian dressing. (I think this dressING has apple cider vinegar in it).
Bernadette says
Hi Roxanne, no that's not going to taste the same at all! It would probably still be good, but not the same. There are herbs and spices in Italian dressings that aren't in this.
Angela says
Tried this tonight because I love this, but my Wal-Mart only has this every now and again. TOTALLY a keeper--delicious and SO much less expensive! 🙂
Bernadette says
Hi Angela, I'm so glad you liked it! I need to make it again soon, I still love it!
Brenda says
Bernadette,Thank You, Love this now since you worked at walmart do you have the Loaded Potato Salad recipe I did buy these 2 every other week but now only the loaded potato --when I get that one I'll make my own all the time.
Bernadette says
Hi Brenda! I don't remember a "loaded" potato salad, just the regular kind, but I left there 6 years ago. It's great to hear you love this pasta salad!
kekecatty/Jeannie says
I am making this right now as I chat! You know how much I love this recipe. But I could not find any Tri-color rotini 🙁 , seems everyone is going to make this, this holiday! Could not find a decent red onion, so I went for a sweet onion and regular rotini. I did find some Chedder Cheese and my Boyfriend is out getting sugar and some apple cider vinegar! That's how much he loves this salad!
Bernadette says
So glad you like it! Happy 4th of July!!
jjmaxcold says
Used rice noodles as my hubby is GF, Also added dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and almonds just because. Tasted awesome
Bernadette says
So glad you liked it, and great additions!
Dee says
If I remember correctly the one at walmart has bacon it.
Bernadette says
It didn't when I worked in the deli there, but it may have changed recently. In any case, no harm in adding bacon...to anything 🙂
Maggie says
Yes, it does. Had some tonight and there are bacon pieces in it. 🙂
annette says
I use Miracle Whip would it make a difference?
Bernadette says
Yes, a considerable one. If your worried about the fat or cholesterol, since my husband had a heart attack a few months ago we have been using the no cholesterol mayonnaise that Hellman's makes. If you do decide to try it with Miracle Whip, can you come back and let us know what you thought of it? Thanks!
Chris says
I used 1/3 cup of sugar instead the the 1/2 cup and it was still way too much. Perhaps 1 Tablespoon would be more appropriate. It tasted like a dessert gone wrong with so much sugar.
Bernadette says
If you eat it right away, it does taste like that. It's better to let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. If the sugar was still crunchy, it didn't chill long enough. I hope that helps!
Tina @ Home Sweet Home 14 says
OH!! This is so delish...tastes better than Wal-marts! Thank you for sharing.
Have a wonderful Valentines & weekend.
Bernadette says
I'm so glad you like it! Sorry it took me so long to respond, I hope you have a great Valentines Day, too!
Cat says
Love this salad from Walmart. Just came across your recipe. Going to get everything and make it myself. Thanks!
Bernadette says
I hope you enjoy it!
Linda says
That is the only reason sometimes I go to Walmart is to get this salad..... Sooooo good
Thanks for sharing
Bernadette says
I know. I used to get it a few times a week for lunch when i worked there, but its so much cheaper to make at home!
Jeannie says
Guess what I'm making tonight? Yes this lovely recipe! Have you tried to figure out the broccoli salad they have in the Walmart deli? I think it has gold raisins and bacon bits, with the same dressing, and of course some red onion.
Bernadette says
Yes, that's pretty much it, but I only had it once or twice, I really prefer this one! I hope you like it!
Meka says
Ms. Bernadette I did it!!!!!!! It turned out great. The family loved it. I guess I'll be adding this to my rotation. Thanks again for posting the recipe
Jane says
How much ingredients for a crowd of 100 or more? Thanks!!!
Bernadette says
Hi Jane! I would say you would need 12 boxes of pasta (1 box serves approximately 8 people, 100 divided by 8 is 12.5), 12 medium heads of broccoli, 12 medium size red onions, 10 cups mild cheddar, 10 cups mayo, 5 cups sugar, and 10 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. It's going to be a little expensive, but still cheaper than buying it at the store! Wow, 100 people or more! I would love to hear how your guests like it.
Bernadette says
Hi again, after thinking about this today, I think I may have been wrong in my calculations this morning. I think you would need a little more, 15 boxes of pasta, 15 broccoli, etc and increase the rest in equal amounts. I hope you didn't make it yet or can add more! I'm assuming it wasn't for today?
Meka says
I tried this and fell in love with it from the first bite. I'm so glad I found the recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Bernadette says
So glad you love it!! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Susan says
I use to buy this at Walmart. They no longer sell it. I've made this several times. I am so glad to have found this recipe. You're such a dear to share. I swear, I could eat this stuff at least three times a week. I saw someone say that Walmart's brand contained bacon bits. . I didn't even miss the bacon bits.
Bernadette says
Hi Susan. I'm pretty sure they still sell it around here, but it's much less expensive to make it yourself.
Angie Jodi Krebs says
Is this like Mrs. Gerry's? Cause I'm craving some right now!! Hahaha
Bernadette says
Hmm, I never heard of Mrs. Gerry's. All I know is this is pretty much a match to Walmart's.
Becca from ItsYummi! says
I'm laughing SO hard right now! My brother used to buy this salad and hide it in the back of the fridge so nobody would find it... but then HE'D forget it was there! LOL
Bernadette says
I'm sure he hid it because it is SO expensive to buy! Making it at home is much cheaper!
Michal says
It was really delicious 🙂 Thank you for recipe 🙂
Bernadette says
You are very welcome!
Teresa says
I plan on trying this tonight.....We used to purchase this pasta salad at Jewel Foods, who has discontinued this salad. I am going to try starting with less sugar and see how that goes. 1/2 cup seems to be a bit much....any thoughts on 1/4 cup, I know I can add more
Bernadette says
I think 1/4 cup should be fine, like you said you can always adjust from there. I hope you like it!