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
Latrice says
Omg! A friend of mine asked me to try it and I fell inlove with it. And have been eating it, on an regular basis. Thank you
Bernadette says
Great, I'm like you liked it!
Sandy says
There is a container of this salad in the refrigerator that was purchased at a store deli. I just looked at the ingredient list on the label, and wow, there sure is a lot of "junk" in this! Yours looks a lot healthier to me, & I will be trying it out as is before adding anything to it. DH & son like the deli version, & I'm very sure they will like yours.
Bernadette says
I hope everyone likes it!
Lisa R says
This was great. I used low fat Hellman's and bow tie pasta. Threw in a bit of chopped sweet red peppers, for crunch and color. It was a hit at my 4th cookout.
Bernadette says
I'm so glad you liked it. The addition of sweet red peppers is a great idea.
Kristina says
What kind of mayo did you use? I've tried making this with real mayo and it didn't taste the same.
Bernadette says
Hi Kristina, I’m pretty sure I’ve always used Hellman’s real mayonnaise for this salad. Did you follow the rest of the ingredients exactly?
AngelaR says
Thank you for this recipe. I did tweak it a bit to make a vegan version. I also let it marinade overnight before eating it. It turned out delicious!
• 12 ounces whole wheat rotini (1 box)
• 1 medium head broccoli chopped into small florets
• 1 medium red onion diced fine
• 1 cup vegan mayo (Hellman’s)
• 1 cup plain almond milk yogurt (Silk)
• 1/2 cup cane sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
It was a little sweet for me, but that is okay. Next time I can cut the sugar a bit and it should be perfect. Thanks again!
Bernadette says
I’m glad you could adapt it to your diet!
Sheila says
Hi!! This sounds really good! I was wondering if you can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayo? Thanks! ?
Bernadette says
Hi Sheila, I haven't tried it, but let me know how it is if you do.
LindaL says
Love this recipe, tastes just like it, but better!!! Due to my health, I made some edits; I subbed some of the mayo with Greek yogurt and cut the sugar down, not the full rich taste but still great. Thanks again!
Bernadette says
I'm glad you could adjust it to suit your diet, and so glad you liked it!
Mary says
I absolutely love this salad. I get a container almost each time I go to Walmart. I’m glad I googled this recipe. I’m going to eliminate the onions because I don’t like them. Do I HAVE to use mayo? Or can Miracle Whip be okay? Either way, I’m making this.
Bernadette says
Hi Mary, I have never tried it with Miracle Whip because I don't like it. I know it will make it tangier.
Mary says
Okay! Thank you! I won’t use MW then. I can’t wait to make this.
Amy Thompson says
I vowed never to go to my local Walmart ever again for various reasons and was about to break down and pick up this salad because it's my favorite! And lo and behold I stumbled across your recipe! You rock! I was only going to make a half batch and once I got the dressing made and tasted I knew right away this was it! And went ahead and made full batch! Thank you!
Bernadette says
I'm so glad you liked it! I don't go to Walmart as much as I did back then, and I'm glad to see this salad is still a favorite of many.
Raquel says
Just wondering do you think adding cucumbers would go well mixed in with this salad?
Bernadette says
Hi Raquel, I think cucumbers would be a great addition if you would like a little more crunch.
Rena Patterson says
Hi Delaine I just bought this at our Walmart here in Cullman,Al. I love this stuff and wanted to make it for Christmas the only thing is in the salad I just purchased it had summer sausage or pepperoni in it. It was delicious! I will be using the summer sausage in mine the rest is identical to your recipe. I thought I would pass this along so maybe some will want to beef it up or pork it up I should say!!! Rena Patterson
Teddi says
Is it real mayo or miracle whip?
Bernadette says
Real mayo. I have never tried it with Miracle Whip, but I know it would taste completely different.
Jay says
Omg I love you!!! Thank you so much for this, it's great.
Bernadette says
Thanks for the wonderful comment, I'm glad you loved it!
Stephanie Potts says
How would I go about cutting this recipe in half? Since it will be my first time making it.
Bernadette says
Hi Stephanie, I would use 1/2 box of pasta, a small head of broccoli or half of a medium head, 1/2 of an onion, a cup each of the cheese and mayo, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. I hope that helps and you like it!
Linda says
Hi was just wondering if this salad tends to dry up like some pasta salad do
Bernadette says
Hi, I answered your first question which I think you deleted. You should still receive an email with my response, or see it above. Thanks!
Letta says
Hi Bernadette.i came across ur recipe for this pasta broc salad just 2day and I will attempt to make it. It will be my first time ever making a pasta salad simply because I do not like prepping or cooking. I normally buy my pasta salads from king soopers/Kroger deli and they are pricey so I will start w/ur recipe DIY style! Thank U for sharing ?.
Bernadette says
Hi Letta, great! I'm glad you decided to try it! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Chelsea says
I made two huge bowls of this for my kids' birthday party this past weekend and it was perfect! I've never had it from Walmart, but I used to get it a lot from Kroger. It must be the same recipe because it tasted exactly the same as the Kroger version. This is a recipe I will definitely use again.
Bernadette says
Hi Chelsea, we don't have Kroger right here in PA, but I have heard that the salads are similar. I'm so glad you liked it!
Shyanne says
I just found your page and I'm super excited! I'm a college student and trying to break away from all the bad habits of eating. I'm not a huge onion fan and was wondering if dill pickles could take its place? And dill pickle juice instead of apple cider vinigar? What are your thoughts?
Bernadette says
Hi Shyanne, I think it would be okay if you love pickles. I know my niece would probably love it!
Jeri says
I also love this salad from WalMart, tried to make a copy, set it walked away and 37 pages later it was all jibberish so I still don't have the recipe. GOT EVERY COMMENT THAT WAS MADE.
Bernadette says
Hi Jeri, did you try printing the recipe from within the recipe right above the ingredients list?
Pia Christiansen says
How much is a box øf pasta? 250 Gram? 500 Gram?
Bernadette says
Hi Pia, I'm not quite sure. I never realized until now that I wrote "a box". I think the box is 12 ounces, this is the brand I use but I can't see how many ounces on the box. https://www.ronzoni.com/en-us/products/categories/2094/RonzoniGardenDelight%C2%AE.aspx One pound is 453.592 grams from what I could find online. I hope that helps!
Pia Christiansen says
Thank you Bernadette. I will try ?
Lynn says
I just came from Walmart and was eating this salad when it occurred to me, gee I wonder if there is a copycat recipe online. And lo and behold, this popped up! It is the only salad I buy. I can't wait to make it!! Thank you so much for publishing it!!
Bernadette says
Hi Lynn, you're very welcome!