Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

This Cottage Cheese Jello Salad is a creamy & sweet family favorite of mine that can be served at holidays, potlucks or as a simple side to a meal!

I use the term "salads" very loosely with this recipe. Jello salads were staples at holiday meals when I was growing up. I remember the various colors of molded salads that jiggled every time the table moved. While this Cottage Cheese Jello Salad contains orange jello, it's a creamy salad rather than jiggly that includes mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple. 

I think cottage cheese is a totally underrated food. It is low in calories but high in protein, making it a filling snack. I know there are two sides to the cottage cheese battle: people who love it, and people who despise it. I think the texture of it can be off putting to some. You can buy cottage cheese in different curd sizes, from small to large. 

I love eating cottage cheese in a bowl with grapes, and thanks to my good friend, on pancakes! It is something her grandma taught her and I think of her every time I do it. Pancakes with butter, a dollop of cottage cheese and drizzled with syrup. Trust me here. 

How to Make Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Start the Cottage Cheese Jello Salad by draining the canned fruit. Draining the fruit really well is crucial to avoid a runny salad. Simply place the mandarin oranges in a strainer and let the juices run through. With the crushed pineapple, I set it in a strainer but then use my hands to squeeze out as much juice as I can. 

Add the drained fruit to cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix in orange jello powder, and then fold in thawed whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows everything to chill and the jello to dissolve. 

How to Serve

This recipe makes a big bowl of Cottage Cheese Jello Salad. I usually transfer some of the salad to a smaller serving bowl depending on where I'm serving it. Serve it in small bowls or right on your plate with the rest of your meal. This jello salad would make a great addition to a holiday meal like Easter, a barbeque with a burger and chips, or to add to a potluck spread. 

 

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad Variations

Switch up the flavors of this salad by changing out the jello flavors and different kinds of fruit. Some fun ideas include:

• Lime jello with diced canned pears
• Strawberry jello with diced fresh strawberries
• Raspberry jello with fresh raspberries
• Lemon jello with fresh blueberries

Another idea would be to add some shredded coconut flakes and drained maraschino cherries to the orange Cottage Cheese Jello Salad to transform it into a tropical fruit salad!

 

Other potluck ideas:

Taco Salad with Chipotle Ranch 

Grape Chicken Salad

Cheesy Potatoes