Name: Orange Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 24 oz. cottage cheese; 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (drained well); 2 15 oz. cans mandarin oranges (drained well); 3 oz. box orange jello; 8 oz. whipped topping (thawed)

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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

Cottage Cheese Jello salad in a glass bowl topped with mandarin oranges

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Orange Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

This Orange Cottage Cheese Jello Salad is an old-fashioned family recipe that you can make in 10 minutes or less. It makes a great side dish that can be served at holidays, potlucks or as a simple side to a meal!

Prep Time5 mins

Chill Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 5 mins

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cottage cheese, orange, salad, side dish, side salad

Servings: servings

Author: Ashley Leonard

Ingredients

24 oz. cottage cheese
20 oz. can crushed pineapple drained well
2 15 oz. cans mandarin oranges drained well
3 oz. box orange jello
8 oz. whipped topping thawed

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, pineapple, oranges and jello powder.
Fold in thawed whipped topping.
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Helpful Equipment & Ingredient Links

Mixing Bowls

Notes

Drain oranges and pineapple well! Squeeze crushed pineapple to get out as much liquid as you can to avoid a runny salad.
Switch up the flavors by swapping out the jello flavor and a different 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

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 jello salad contains dry orange jello, it's a creamy salad rather than jiggly.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Only requires 5 ingredients - cottage cheese, a box of orange jello, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple and frozen whipped topping are all you need to make this easy salad.
Great make-ahead recipe - this is one of those salads that gets better the longer it sits, making it a great option for entertaining!
Versatile - easily switch up the flavors of this recipe by using a different jello flavor with a matching canned fruit for a brand new salad!

How to Make It

Drain the 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. Place the fruit in a mixing bowl.
Add the cottage cheese & jello - add to the bowl of fruit and gently mix, being careful not to squish the oranges.
Add whipped topping - gently fold in thawed whipped topping until well incorporated.
Chill - cover and refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows everything to chill and the jello powder to dissolve.

Recipe Tips

Be sure to drain the canned fruit really well! No one likes a watery salad. After storing in the refrigerator you may notice a little juice or separation. This is normal. Just give the salad a quick stir before serving!
Fold in the whipped topping. This ensures the whipped topping stays nice and fluffy, and in turn, makes the salad fluffy!
Remember the important food safety rule when it comes to a perishable food like cottage cheese. It can be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Then it needs to be refrigerated. I like to fill a smaller bowl that I can always refill if need be.

Serving Tips

This recipe makes a big bowl of cottage cheese salad. I usually transfer some of it to a smaller serving bowl. 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.

Recipe 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

FAQ

How long will the cottage cheese jello salad keep?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the salad will keep for 3-4 days. You may notice some extra juice that separates after some time, but just give the salad a good stir before serving!

Can I use homemade whipped cream?

This is one instance where homemade is not always better. The frozen whipped topping in the tub is much more stable than homemade. This helps keep the salad fluffy. If using homemade whipped cream your salad may not be as fluffy and I would recommend serving it the same day it's made.

Other Potluck Recipes You'll Love

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