This Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad is a Copycat Version of Walmart Recipe. If you love getting this too, learn how to make it at home. This is a simple broccoli crunch salad recipe. Just delicious!
This is almost like a broccoli slaw. It is an addictive blend of tricolor rotini pasta, cheese, onion. broccoli, and a delicious creamy cider coleslaw dressing. This crowd-pleasing dish seamlessly marries tender pasta spirals with vibrant broccoli florets, creating a medley of textures that delight the palate.
The medley of colors and textures not only makes for a visually appealing addition to your table but also ensures a satisfying experience for your taste buds. Whether served at a potluck, picnic, or family dinner, the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad promises to be a memorable dish that captures the essence of comfort and convenience, straight from the Walmart Deli to your dining table.
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Family Loves this Recipe
Often on the way home from work, I would purchase deli food to feed the family. Since I was in the grocery story getting my shopping done, it usually worked out that the meal that evening would be a deli counter meal. However, this one salad the family would ask me to stop and get just because they were craving it.
Everyone was happy once I figured out how to make this family favorite.
To be honest, it can be quite expensive to purchase this delicious broccoli cheddar salad all made. We justified the cost because it was just that good!
Make This Salad Yourself and Save Money
I tell you what, you can make so much more of this salad at home in each batch for way less money. We now make this whenever one of the family members starts getting hungry for it. This recipe will make enough servings to feed 12.
How Did I Get the Secret Walmart Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad?
I have friends. It pays to know people that work in the food and restaurant industry. A friend of mine gave me the recipe in exchange for our local restaurant’s coleslaw recipe where I worked.
Lucky you today, if you have stumbled upon this recipe, you get both the coleslaw recipe and Walmart pasta salad too.
Delicious Side Dish or Meal
Pair fresh broccoli, cheese, diced red onion, and a sweet salad dressing with pasta. I think the cheese is what tips the scales. This side dish just ticks all the boxes for us.
Just imaging bringing this delicious pasta dish to your next cook out. Serve this to family and friends at home. It is sure to be a hit.
I love bringing this to work for a healthy lunch. Any time that fresh food is on the menu, I feel like I am taking care of myself.
According to many health sources, 1/2 cup serving of broccoli has approximately 50 milligrams of vitamin C. Add the other health benefits like fiber, and antioxidants and this helps make this recipe a winner.
When I say that this is a copycat, I really mean it. You will think that you stopped in the store, waited in line at the deli counter, then waited in line again at the check out just to get this goodness home to your waiting family. Well, keep your pantry stocked with the pasta and salad dressing.
The next time you go grocery shopping, pick up the cheese, broccoli, and onion. That’s it, no special trips to the store just to get this salad.
Then you can make this broccoli cheddar pasta salad recipe right at home. A wonderful budget-friendly recipe.
Walmart Deli Broccoli Salad Ingredients
In less than 30 minutes, you can be enjoying your homemade Walmart Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad.
Basic Ingredients included in this recipe.
Ingredients in the Broccoli Mixture
- Tri-colored Rotini Pasta
- Broccoli
- Red Onion
- Mild Cheddar Cheese Shredded
Salad Dressing
- Miracle whip salad dressing
- White Sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
This is an easy recipe to tweak to different likes. To get you started with a few ideas, ere are other ingredients that are delicious in this and I think a few of them give this salad recipe an added dimension.
One Pound Bacon. Just dice it into bite-sized pieces and place bacon in a skillet and over medium high heat. Cook bacon until crispy.
Use regular Rotini in place of the tri-colored pasta. Actually any hearty pasta would work well for this recipe.
This uses a medium head broccoli, you can replace part or all of the the broccoli in this crunchy salad with cauliflower or a variety of crunchy vegetables.
Add a bit of sweet bites. One cup raisins, dried blueberries, or dried cranberries work well in this recipe too.
Add nuts. Slivered almonds or chipped walnuts and pecans are a great way to add protein. If you like nuts with a bit of salt, add a handful of salty sunflower seeds.
Don’t be afraid to change up this delicious salad to your taste buds.
I often make the basic recipe; however, when I want to make it fancy for a special event, I might add in some of the alternative ingredients to give this recipe a different look and taste. Healthy recipes like this are always a welcomed dish on the table.
Hints to a Better Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
After the pasta has cooked, rinse the noodles in cool water in a colander. This will help cool down the pasta and remove the excess starch.
Rinse the diced red onion and drain in a colander. This will help remove some of the pungent taste of the onion. In my salad, if you skip this step, sometimes, the onion can take over the taste of the salad a bit. I want the crunch of the onion and a little bit of the taste, but not and overpowering onion taste.
Mix the creamy dressing ingredients together in a small bowl before adding to the rest of the salad ingredients. By doing this, the sugar has a chance to dissolve and flavor the entire dish, not just part of it.
Once the broccoli is trimmed into small florets, rinse and drain in a colander. This just helps clean the vegetable before consuming.
Try and let the broccoli cheddar pasta salad sit for an hour before eating. However, at our house, that is a difficult thing. Therefore, when I make it, I don’t tell the rest of the family until it has been chilling in the refrigerator for an hour. It will help the flavors meld together a bit for a better tasting salad.
I make mine in a big bowl, usually my large stainless steel bowl. This recipe uses 6 cups of broccoli, an entire box of the tri-colored veggie rotini pasta and 16 ounces of shredded cheese. By using a large bowl, there will be enough room to mix the ingredients without making a mess.
Storing the crunchy broccoli Salad
Make sure to store this dish in the refrigerator for food safety. It will last up to five days. However, I would not know in our house as it is always all gone before the five days is up.
Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad: Walmart Deli Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Tri-colored Rotini Pasta 1 box
- 6 cups Heads of broccoli cut into small florets (2 medium heads)
- 1 medium Red Onion diced and rinsed
- 16 ounces Mild cheddar cheese shredded
Salad Dressing
- 3 Cups Miracle whip salad dressing
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
text ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, set aside.12 ounces Tri-colored Rotini Pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the rest of the salad ingredients. Cut the broccoli in bite-sized pieces. Rinse and drain. Add to a large bowl.6 cups Heads of broccoli
- Dice, rinse and drain the red onion. Add to the large bowl1 medium Red Onion
- Shred the cheddar cheese and add that to the bow.16 ounces Mild cheddar cheese
Salad Dressing
- In a medium bowl, add the Miracle whip, sugar and apple cider. Mix the salad dressing well.3 Cups Miracle whip salad dressing, 3/4 Cup Sugar, 3 Tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- Pour over the top of the broccoli, cheese, pasta, and onions. Mix well to incorporate.
- Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
Sandy
Sunday 3rd of April 2022
My kids love the Walmart salad. Making another copycat soup recipe. Found this thought I’d try, and boy was the family glad I did. They love even more than Walmarts. I love that it’s cheaper and you can add to it if you desire.?Thanks!
patternprincess1
Sunday 3rd of April 2022
Thank you for letting me know. So glad your family loves this one as much as mine does. :) Take care. Vicky
Diane Card
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
This recipe is fantastic!!! So much cheaper than the deli!!! Have made this many times, always so good!!!? Thank you for posting!
patternprincess1
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
Thank you for taking the time to comment. We make this recipe often and way cheaper! Enjoy and take care. Vicky
patternprincess1
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
I agree. Thanks for taking the time to comment too. Take care. Vicky