Light, creamy, and packed with sweet fruit flavor, Cottage Cheese Jello Salad is a no-fuss favorite for potlucks, BBQs, and holidays. Made with cottage cheese, Orange Jell-O, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, and whipped topping, it’s an easy dish that disappears fast—whether served as a side or dessert.
What Is Cottage Cheese Jello Salad?
Cottage Cheese Jello Salad is a sweet, creamy dish that’s more dessert than salad. Made with cottage cheese, orange Jell-O powder, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and whipped topping, it’s light, fluffy, and packed with fruity flavor. Often called a “salad” because of its mix-and-chill preparation, this nostalgic recipe is a staple at potlucks, BBQs, and holiday gatherings.
Let’s talk convenience. This recipe is ridiculously easy because it calls for nothing more than ingredients from a can or a jar. While I have written many recipes for fluff salads and Ambrosia Salad variations, each rendition offers the same satisfying sentiment—it tastes too indulgent to be called a salad, but once you take a bite, the texture always hits the spot.
Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Orange Jello Salad
- Cottage cheese: Large curd or small curd cottage cheese can be used to make this salad. If you want a creamier base, consider using ricotta cheese or even Greek yogurt for a different texture and flavor.
- Orange gelatin: Any flavor of gelatin will work, but orange is my favorite!
- Crushed pineapple: Pineapple tidbits could also be used so that the pieces are smaller and bite-sized.
- Mandarin oranges
- Miniature marshmallows
- Whipped topping: Feel free to use Cool Whip or try our homemade whipped cream!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
- Make The Cottage Cheese Mixture: Stir together the cottage cheese and the dry gelatin powder in a medium mixing bowl.
- Fill With Fruit: Stir in the drained pineapple and mandarin oranges.
- Fold: Fold in the miniature marshmallows and then the thawed whipped topping.
- Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 2 hours or until the gelatin is set.
- Serve: Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Garnish with orange slices and mini marshmallows.
Flavor Variations and Serving Suggestions
Feel free to get creative and customize your salad to make it your own!
Tweak The Texture: For some extra crunch or a surprise texture, throw in some chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or shredded coconut. These optional add-ins bring a nice contrast to the creamy base and fruity bits.
Grab A Garnish: Feling fancy? Why not add a little extra flair with garnishes like extra mini marshmallows, a sprig of fresh mint, or a drizzle of honey on top.
Fruit Flavors: Feel free to try this jello salad with cottage cheese recipe with a different fruity flavor. Simply switch out the jello mix and match the fruit. Keep the recipe the same, but swap out the orange jello for raspberry jello and use fresh raspberries instead of mandarin oranges; use strawberry jello and fresh strawberries; or pair lime jello with pineapple and coconut to give it a tropical twist.
Serving Suggestions: Cottage Cheese Orange Jello Salad is super versatile! You can serve it as a refreshing side with savory dinner dishes like grilled chicken breasts, ham, or even a summer barbecue. Or, for a more indulgent treat, enjoy it as a light dessert after a hearty meal.
Tips for the Best Cottage Cheese Orange Jello Salad
- Stir The Salad: When you stir the packet of dry gelatin into the cottage cheese, make sure to mix it really well to remove any lumps. If the powder doesn’t dissolve fully, it can create a grainy texture in your salad.
- Serve It Sweeter: Cottage cheese has a mild tang, and the orange Jello is sweet, so taste as you go. You can adjust the sweetness by adding a little more fruit or a splash of juice from the can to bring out a fruity depth without making it overly sugary.
- Create The Consistency: The key to a creamy, smooth texture is gently folding in the fruit and whipped topping to maintain the light, airy consistency. If you stir too vigorously, you risk breaking down the whipped cream or marshmallows, which could affect the texture.
- Set Before Serving: Be sure to chill the salad for at least 2 hours or until the gelatin is fully set. This gives everything time to come together, resulting in a smooth, firm texture that holds up well when served.
Common Questions About Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese
Can I make this Jello salad sugar-free?
Of course! You can easily make this recipe sugar-free by using sugar-free Jello and light cottage cheese. The sugar-free Jello still gives you that signature flavor and color without the added sugar, while the cottage cheese keeps the salad creamy and satisfying.
Can I substitute the fruit in this recipe?
Absolutely! While pineapple and mandarin oranges are classic choices, you can swap them for other fruits based on what you like or have on hand. Consider using sliced strawberries, peaches, or even grapes.
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes! This salad is perfect for prepping ahead. In fact, the flavors meld together even better after 1-2 hours or even overnight in the fridge. It’s great for potlucks, Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, family reunions, or busy weeknight meals. Just allow it to set properly for at least 2 hours before serving.
What’s the best way to serve this salad?
You can serve this salad chilled straight from the fridge in a large bowl or portioned into individual servings.
More Delicious Dessert Salad Recipes
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Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounce container cottage cheese
- 3 ounce box orange gelatin
- 20 ounce crushed pineapple well drained
- 15 ounce mandarin oranges well drained, reserve 4 to 5 slices of oranges for an optional garnish
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows reserve 5 to 6 for an optional garnish
- 8 ounce thawed whipped topping
Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese and the dry gelatin powder to a medium size mixing bowl. Stir well.16 ounce container cottage cheese, 3 ounce box orange gelatin
- Stir in the drained pineapple and mandarin oranges (reserve 4 to 5 slices of oranges for a garnish) until well combined.20 ounce crushed pineapple, 15 ounce mandarin oranges
- Fold in the miniature marshmallows and then the thawed whipped topping.2 cups miniature marshmallows, 8 ounce thawed whipped topping
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or until the gelatin is set. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Garnish with the reserved orange slices and mini marshmallows.
Jenn’s Notes
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this salad 1 to 2 days in advance of your gathering. In fact, letting it sit for a few hours or overnight allows the flavors to meld together even better, giving you a more flavorful dish.
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors in the fridge.
- When you stir the packet of dry gelatin into the cottage cheese, make sure to mix it really well to remove any lumps. If the powder doesn’t dissolve fully, it can create a grainy texture in your salad.
- Cottage cheese has a mild tang, and the orange Jello is sweet, so taste as you go. You can adjust the sweetness by adding a little more fruit or a splash of juice from the can to bring out a fruity depth without making it overly sugary.
- The key to a creamy, smooth texture is gently folding in the fruit and whipped topping to maintain the light, airy consistency. If you stir too vigorously, you risk breaking down the whipped cream or marshmallows, which could affect the texture.
- Be sure to chill the salad for at least 2 hours or until the gelatin is fully set. This gives everything time to come together, resulting in a smooth, firm texture that holds up well when served.
