This cool and refreshing Cottage Cheese Jell-O Salad will be a hit at your next picnic or barbecue.
Any Jell-O dish brings back memories of the confetti mold my mom used to make when I was younger. There was one dinner where I think one of my uncles was being his usual jokester self. Frustrated with him, instead of using the serving spoon to put a slice on his plate, my mom picked it up in her hand and threw it onto his plate. It took us all by surprise, and I recall it as clearly as if it had happened yesterday.
Although not the same, this cottage cheese Jell-O salad takes me back there, as it contains crushed pineapple, which was also in that dish. I love crushed pineapple, especially in my sweet potato casserole, which I make every year for Thanksgiving. So, when I first tried this recipe, I knew it would be something I would love. Doesn’t crushed pineapple make everything taste brighter?
How can you go wrong with cottage cheese, pineapple, gelatin, and whipped topping? With all the gelatin flavors and types of fruit available, it’s different every time you make it. Besides, many people have no idea that it’s made with cottage cheese, so it’s a surprising way to add a healthy ingredient into a decadent dish. I prefer using small curd cottage cheese so that you don’t get big chunks (especially important if you have little ones who refuse to eat cottage cheese). However, large curd cottage cheese will also work fine.
This recipe is so quick and easy to make that you don’t need to save it for a special occasion. It requires only a few minutes of preparation, followed by an hour of chilling in the refrigerator. One thing to remember is that you must drain the crushed pineapple well to prevent a soupy salad. I forgot only once, and it’s something I won’t forget to do again. There’s really no way to fix it when that happens. Oh, it was still edible, but more like a messy soup than a salad.
Fun ways to make this dish special
There are numerous ways to present this cottage cheese Jell-O salad to make it memorable for various occasions. The first way is to spoon it into individual serving cups and decorate them with berries, sliced fruit, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts, and place one of these Lemon Shortbread Cookies standing up on top. The tang and crunch of the cookie go exceptionally well alongside the sweet, fruity gelatin concoction.
If making this for a crowd, line a glass bowl with layers of various types of fruit, alternating colors, such as strawberry slices, kiwi slices, blueberries, and mango slices. It’s good if the fruit doesn’t completely cover the glass so that the gelatin shows through. Spoon the gelatin salad into the center of the bowl. Top it with this Strawberry Whipped Cream for added color. Another option is to add Fruit Kabobs sticking out of the salad for a festive party touch.
How do I store leftovers?
If using a decorative bowl, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator. Otherwise, store the Jell-O salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You may need to stir it before serving if the gelatin starts separating. Do not let this salad sit out for more than 2 hours unless you put the dish in a bowl of ice.
Serving suggestions
Serve this cottage cheese Jell-O salad at your next picnic, along with Mayo-Free Deviled Eggs, Ham And Cheese Sliders, and German Potato Salad. If you’re having a barbecue, add Huli Huli Chicken, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, and Grilled Squash. You can then wash it all down with a refreshing Watermelon Slushie—perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce container cottage cheese
- 1 can crushed pineapple (15 ounces) drained
- 1 3-ounce box powdered gelatin any flavor of your choice
- 1 8-ounce container whipped topping thawed
- Fresh fruit, such as chopped strawberries, cherries, or raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the cottage cheese, drained crushed pineapple, and powdered gelatin until they are well combined.
- Gently fold in the whipped topping. Avoid overmixing to keep the topping light and airy.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the salad to set. Garnish with fresh fruit of choice if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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