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
WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES FROM MYSELF AND MY FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS? FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, OR FACEBOOK, WHERE I SHARE NEW RECIPES DAILY. YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL TO GET NEWLY POSTED RECIPES FOR FREE!
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
Tiffany says
I'm gonna try this tonight really excited my Walmart just stopped selling it after their remodel
Kira Melanson says
Would this be mayonnaise like “Hellman’s” or like “Miracle Whip”? Thanks!
Bernadette says
Hi Kira, I am so sorry I missed your question. I always use regular mayonnaise and have not tried it with Miracle Whip.
Zaiel says
Hi! I work in the Deli at Walmart, but I know it has 3 days in the cold bar, but can it be frozen? I purchased; let’s say, for a big dinner and I have plenty of it left over. I want to save it for another time, so it seems like it could be frozen. ? What do you think I should do? I wouldn’t won’t to waste my money, you know? Please help! Thanks for your time!
Bernadette says
Hi Zaiel, I'm sorry I missed your comment. Personally, I have frozen pasta to reheat before, but haven't tried it with a cold pasta dish. I'm wondering if the pasta would be mushy once defrosted. If you try it, let us know if it works or not.
Zaiel says
I also apologize for responding back to you very late! ? It did work out! So, what I did was I made some fresh and I purchased some. I put it in the freezer until I was ready to eat and it is still delicious! I let it defrost in the refrigerator.
Bernadette says
That's great to know!
Stevie says
Question for you since you happen to work at Walmart Deli...does this come in pre-made? Kinda just wondering on the broccoli part...mine seems different when cut fresh. Thanks!! ?
Bernadette says
HI Stevie, the broccoli used to come in a package with the chopped onions, with the pasta in a separate package, and the mayonnaise sauce in another package. We would mix it together.
Zaiel says
Hi Steve! I currently work in the Walmart Deli and yes they still come pre-packaged. Everything is individually packaged. Your sauce, broccoli, Shredded cheese and red onions! It flies out the cold case fast! Along with the broccoli crunch salad!
MARY TYLER says
I absolutely love this salad thank you so much for the recipe. I will be fixing this as a part of the family Thanksgiving Dinner this year.
Sandra C Pharr says
Haven't made it yet. Will as soon as go to store. since Wall Mart is doing away with this and putting only packaged salads like potato salad and soups in place of the salads that as next to the hot foods. They don't carry this one. Thank You very much.
Darlene says
I found this pasta salad because of going to Walmart for groceries immediately after work. I would get a quarter pound and a chicken wing. They would keep me from buying so many uneeded snacks.
For my dressing, I use half any kind of mayo and half ranch salad dressing. I'm interested in how others review that taste.
Suzie says
My google search landed me here when I was searching for this copycat recipe, I too use to work in the deli and absolutely loves this!
Recently my husband told me to make it, I followed your recipe and it was truly delicious!
I did add a couple of teaspoons of Italian dressing and it was great so my husband says but I prefer this recipe as is.
A great addition to our meals
Thank you very much for this recipe
Suzie
Bernadette says
Hi Suzie, sorry I have been away, I'm so glad you liked it!
Mindy says
This is exactly what i was looking for!! THANK YOU!! I had this salad at walmart once a few years ago and since then i cant find it or anything close to it! It was so so YUMMY! i cannot wait to make this, it looks so so yummy!! This will be on my pinterest list FOR SURE!
Bernadette says
Hi Mindy, I hope that you have had a chance to make it by now and you liked it.
Tami says
Just tried Walmart’s version and wanted to make my own. This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
I am also wondering if there would be a way to use artificial sweetener to lessen the sugar content? Any ideas appreciated!
Bernadette says
Hi Tami, I don't use artificial sweeteners at all, so I'm not sure which would be best.
Star Springer says
I've heard people using honey. I'm not sure but it's worth a try
Laura McCleland says
I love this salad. So glad to find the recipie. The only thing I would add the next time is some sunflower seeds to give it a bit more crunch.
Matt says
Add crispy bacon and the crunch factor is solved
Kathy Boles says
So glad to find this recipe - I love this salad. Thank you for posting it.
Doni says
Are the noodles al dente like the Walmart ones, this is what makes it my favorite!!
Bernadette says
Hi Doni, I recommended cooking the noodles according to the package directions. They usually state how long for al dente, if not do one minute less than the time on the package.
Linday says
We are trying it with coleslaw dressing...
Loretta England says
I have made this many times before. Instead of the mayo, sugar & vinegar I use "Kraft Coleslaw dressing" turns out perfect every itme
Robert Chase says
That is what I have used since I started making it over 10 years ago. And I also put in the home made bacon bits just like they have here at Wal Mart. Everyone loves this salad as I do too.
Whitney says
Could I use miracle whip in place of the mayo?
Bernadette says
Hi Whitney, you can but I haven't tried it. It will definitely be more tangy.
Michelle says
I saw the nutritional information but what is the serving size? 4oz, 8oz or what?? This was delicious and I’m watching what I eat. I’m hoping 1/2 cup isn’t going to be my carb limit for the day. ?. Thank you!
Bernadette says
Hi Michelle, I would say a cup equals a serving based off the original recipe serving 8 people.
Michelle says
Thank you! It was delicious and worth it!
Chelsea Anderson says
I made this 2 days ago for dinner and lunch the next. The apple cider vinegar didnt agree with my stomach at all. Is there a different ingredient I could use instead of apple cider vinegar?
Bernadette says
Hi Chelsea, I'm really not sure what to say. You could use plain white vinegar, but I would think that would bother your stomach as well. You could try to thin out the mayonnaise with water, but the dressing won't have the same flavor. If you find a good substitution, I would love to hear what it is!
Yaavie says
One must rate this recipe five stars because it 100% fulfills it obligation as an exact copycat! I am tempted to make this next time with “plain” rotini so the consumers don’t “think” I purchased this salad and then simply placed it in my own bowl in attempt to pass it off as my own...for real...it’s that spot on! Lololol.
I have sent this webpage to numerous people requesting the recipe. Thank you for creating such a perfect copycat.
Bernadette says
Hi Yaavie, I'm so glad you liked it and thanks for sending the link to your friends!
Liz says
Thank you for this! I absolutely love the broccoli cheddar pasta at walmart and this came out exactly like it! So happy I can save some money by making it myself whenever I feel like now. 🙂 Thanks for sharing/figuring out a copycat recipe!
Robin Romano says
Thank you very much for that suggestion. Two cups of mayo and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water did the trick. Now it's not thick. I just have to remember to stir it before seving.
Bernadette says
Great, I'm glad that worked out for you!
Robin Romano says
I have made this twice now following your recipe to the letter, and the "dressing" always seems to turn out too thick. It seems to congeal after being in the refrigerator. I have used Hellman's Real Mayonnaise the first time and then used Hellman's Olive oil mayo the next time, still not as thin like the Walmart made salad. I've bought the salad from Walmart and had it in the refrigerator for a couple of days, and its "dressing" never gets thick or congeals. Any suggestions?
This is my go to food for lunch and/or supper when I want to eat light.
Thanks
Bernadette says
Hi Robin. I've never heard of this happening. I almost always use Hellman's Real Mayonnaise. Maybe try adding a little bit of water to the dressing, or reduce the mayonnaise slightly. I hope that helps!