Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad

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The addition of pasta turns creamy broccoli cheddar salad into a meal-in-one. Serve as a fuss-free lunch, bring to a potluck, or add to a casual buffet.

side view close up of broccoli pasta salad in a serving bowl.

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Everything is better with bacon - including this pasta salad!

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Why you will love this
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
Recipe FAQs
Try these pasta salads next
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Why you will love this

Crowd-pleasing flavors with crispy bacon, plenty of cheese, and a sweet and tangy dressing.
Great for large gatherings. This recipe makes a large batch and can easily be doubled.
Make-ahead recipes. This salad keeps well, so add ease by making it ahead of time which also allows the flavors time to blend.
Main dish or side dish. This salad is substantial enough for lunch or a light dinner or serve as a side dish with sandwiches or grilled meats.
This recipe was inspired by my Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad. Swapping in pasta for the cauliflower appeals to the pasta lover in all of us.

Ingredients

Pasta - I love pasta with nooks and crannies to capture the dressing. I used Cavatappi which has a corkscrew shape. Rotini, Fusilli, Farfalle, and small shells are all great options.
Bacon - Thick-cut bacon adds a meaty bite. Maple bacon is also delicious in this salad.
Red onion adds great flavor and bright color. If you don't like the taste of raw onion, you can substitute chopped scallions.
Cheddar cheese - While I typically recommend using freshly shredded cheese, pre-shredded packaged cheese works just fine in this recipe. Freshly shredded cheese has more moisture which can cause it to clump together when tossed with the other ingredients.
Miracle Whip - I love the tangy flavor of Miracle Whip, but mayonnaise can also be used.

Step-by-step instructions

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

Cook the pasta in well-salted water according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again.
Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the broccoli, onion, bacon, and cheese.

combine salad ingredients in a mixing bowl.

In a small bowl, combine the Miracle Whip, sugar, and vinegar. Whisk until well blended.
Pour ½ of the dressing over the other ingredients. Toss until everything is evenly coated. Add more dressing as needed. Refrigerate extra dressing to add later. The pasta may absorb some of the dressing as it sits.

mixing pasta and other ingredients with dressing.

Serve immediately or refrigerate to allow flavors to blend more. The salad will keep in the refrigerator for several days.

close up top down of broccoli pasta salad in a bowl.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to cook the broccoli first?

No. It's optional but not necessary. The broccoli will soften in the dressing as it sits. If you prefer broccoli with a more tender bite and want to eat the salad immediately, you can blanch the broccoli for 30-60 seconds. Then transfer it to ice water to stop the cooking. Drain well and add to the salad.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar in the dressing?

If you prefer a less sweet dressing, reduce the amount of sugar to ½ cup. Add more as needed to adjust to your personal taste.

overhead shot of serving bowl of pasta salad.

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