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
Marie says
Excellent salad. Followed directions exactly and it was terrific. I made again and reduced the sugar almost in half ( just cutting back on sugar in general). It was fantastic! I have now made it several times. You can add cooked chicken and call it a meal. It makes a LOT and would be wonderful for a pot luck or any crowd. Also it's inexpensive! Thanks for this great recipe
Aramey23 says
Love this recipe. Easy and feeds a lot for parties. I follow recipe but I do add about a half of a diced seedless cucumber and it really gives it a great fresh taste.
Crystal Haney says
Ahhhhmazing. You are a genius. I've been looking for this salad for a while now. I used to love making this every morning when I worked for Wal-Mart. You're the best!!!!
I just made this and it tastes EXACTLY like it.
Susan Prather says
What is the serving size? A cup?
Bernadette says
Hi Susan, normally for pasta salad a serving would be 1/2 cup but with the broccoli cuts I would say calculate 1 cup per person.
Stacey says
Wondering if I could use miracle whip instead of mayo, maybe leave out sugar & vinegar? And what if I use frozen broccoli (just thawed out)? Looks really yummy, just not a big mayo fan ?
Bernadette says
HI Stacey, I'm so sorry I missed your questions! If you happened to read through previous comments, Miracle Whip has been mentioned many times, and it's a matter of taste, I don't like it so I don't use it. I would think frozen broccoli would not be crisp, but it might be okay.
Chastity c says
Miracle whip is mayonnaise
Bernadette says
Hi Chastity, I was away yesterday and wanted to properly respond to you. I happen to have both in my house right now. Miracle Whip tastes a lot different than mayonnaise, and the ingredients are different. Both have water and soybean oil (unless made with olive oil or avocado oil) along with eggs and vinegar. Additionally, Miracle Whip has high fructose corn syrup, mustard flour, modified cornstarch, paprika, spices, and dried garlic. Mayonnaise only has lemon juice and a preservative.
Neiko says
My kid sister says the same thing and I tell her, No, it's Nooot!! Just as I tell her Margarine isn't BUTTER! LOl! She likes Miracle Whip and I hate the stuff.
KYoungblood says
I’ve made this many times and I need to print it off since I always come back to this page! 🙂
In my opinion this is better than what I used to get at WalMart.
I never modify it, it always is a hit! Thanks for providing it!!
sandra stanley says
been missing this salad since the pandemic began. I love it!! just thought today to look for it and by gosh I found it immediently! thahk you so so much! must buy ingredients tomorrow and mix up a bunch.
Ginger says
I love this pasta omg so yummy? they dont sell it here anymore im sad?glad I found the recipe i know i made it before years ago..but I like it better with egg noodles white onion and the slaw marzetti dressing ohh so delicious THANK U?❤?GOING HOME IM A FEW TO MAKE SOME
Latrina Bain says
I saw your recipe some time ago and thought I would a critique a little. That turned out bad and decided I would just buy it when I go to Walmart. Then certain locations stop ordering it for their deli. I really loved so today I decided to follow your directions just like you have it. It turned out nice. Thank you so much.
Signed
Hard Head
VJ says
Have you ever added carrots and halved cherry tomatoes to the recipe
Bernadette says
No, I never tried that, but it sounds good!
Phyllis Crevison says
Do you have a recipie for a Walmart cold salad that is sweet and has raisins and broccoli in it ? Don't know the name of it . Thank you so much for your recipies !
Bernadette says
No, I haven't gotten around to trying that one yet.
Connie says
There is a "Raw Broccoli Salad" recipe on the Walmart website. Walmart.com/ideas/recipes/raw-broccoli-salad/46886. Probably the one!
Valerie says
I make this for all my get togethers and it's such a hit. I triple the recipe and make extra mayo sauce so it's really creamy since if it sits overnight it gets soaked into the pasta and veggies. Right now with the stupid Corona stuff I can't get any from the deli so I am making it for tomorrow!
marie esche says
can t;his salad be frozen
Bernadette says
Hi Marie, I haven't tried it, but I don't think it would thaw well. The broccoli would be mushy and the dressing would separate.
Connie Bennett says
Great recipe! I have made several times and this recipe never fails. Sometimes I had halved seedless grapes or even raisins. Otherwise I never vary from your original. I actually believe this tastes better the second day, if you are fortunate to have any leftover.
Michelle ryding says
I'm making it with Vegan mayo and Dalia Cheese super excited, to keep this as a go to lunch or side item with dinner.
Noelia Alvarado says
what could u substitute for the red onion
Bernadette says
I'm so sorry I missed your comment! If it was just that you don't like onions or are allergic you could just leave it out. Otherwise, any kind of onion would do.
Shannon says
I only keep Miracle Whip on hand rather than mayonnaise. Do I need to make modifications to the recipe for the dressing to use that?
Bernadette says
I'm very sorry I missed your comment, and hopefully you were able to read through the rest of the comments to see this has been asked and answered many times before.
Lei-Leni says
Love This! Thank you for providing this recipe.
Nicole Coffey says
I was wondering if you could make this heart healthy? Like use Lite Mayo,
Bernadette says
Hi Nicole, lite mayo would be fine.
Reggie says
How long is this good for if you keep it refrigerated? Thanks!
Bernadette says
I've kept leftovers for 3-4 days refrigerated at below 40 degrees.
Karina Al-Jaafreh says
What type of mayo do you use for this recipe?
Bernadette says
Hi Karina, I usually use Hellmann's real mayonnaise.
Becky Reed says
Thank you so much. I work at Wal-Mart deli and have tried to get this forever