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Cottage cheese jello salad is a chilled fruit salad made with cottage cheese, orange jello, pineapple, mandarin oranges, whipped topping and mini marshmallows. The orange jello gives the mixture its pale color and a light citrus flavor while the whipped topping softens the texture and makes it creamy. After a few hours in the refrigerator, the salad thickens slightly and the fruit and marshmallows are spread through every scoop. Enjoy this fruity salad for dessert or as a side dish for a holiday meal, BBQ or potluck meal – it’s a real crowd pleaser!
Why You’ll Love It
Cottage cheese jello salad is a creamy chilled dessert salad with orange flavor, soft fruit and mini marshmallows in every bite.
Cool creamy texture: The mixture is thick and fluffy after chilling which makes it satisfying to scoop.
Bright orange flavor: Orange jello gives the salad a sweet citrus note that works well with the fruit.
Fruit in every bite: Pineapple and mandarin oranges bring soft juicy pieces throughout the salad.
Classic dessert salad style: This has the creamy, fluffy texture everyone loves about traditional jello salads.
Also try my watergate salad, honey lime fruit salad, ambrosia, frog eye salad, grape salad and strawberry chiffon squares.
Orange Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Cottage cheese: Creates the creamy base and adds a mild tang that balances the sweet ingredients.
Orange gelatin powder: Provides orange flavor and color while helping the mixture firm slightly during chilling.
Crushed pineapple: Adds juicy sweetness and a light tart note that brightens the salad. You could use pineapple chunks but crushed pineapple mixes in better.
Mandarin oranges: Bring soft citrus segments and extra fruit flavor throughout the mixture.
Whipped topping: Makes the salad lighter and gives it a fluffy creamy texture. Use Cool Whip or similar, thawed first, or homemade whipped cream if preferred.
Mini marshmallows: Add sweetness and texture.
How to Make Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix the base: Stir cottage cheese and orange jello powder together.
Add the fruit: Fold in the well drained crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges.
Gently fold in whipped topping: Stir gently until the mixture becomes creamy and uniform.
Add marshmallows: Mix in the mini marshmallows.
Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Serve: Spoon into a serving dish and add mini marshmallows and extra fruit as a garnish, if liked.
Substitutions and Variations
Jello flavor swap: Lime, raspberry or strawberry jello can replace the orange flavor and will change the fruit profile of the salad.
Sugar-free jello: Use sugar-free orange jello in the same amount as the regular jello. The flavor stays similar and the salad will still thicken after chilling, though the overall sweetness will be lighter.
Fruit change: Canned fruit cocktail can replace the mandarin oranges for a mixed fruit version.
Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans can be stirred in if a little crunch is desired.
Gluten-free check: The ingredients are commonly gluten-free though packaged items should always be checked.
Dairy-free note: Cottage cheese is a key ingredient so this recipe does not adapt well to dairy-free substitutions.
Another garnish: Maraschino cherries always make a pretty garnish, adding flavor plus a pop of color.
Serving Suggestions
As a holiday side: Enjoy this sweet orange fluff with your sheet pan ham dinner or turkey with acorn squash and green bean casserole.
At a BBQ or potluck: Cowboy sliders, Hawaiian macaroni salad and fried deviled eggs would be a fun spread with this orange creamsicle jello salad.
For dessert: It’s a great dessert after any kind of main dish from spaghetti pie to smoked rack of lamb.
How to Store
Store: Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this because the dairy ingredients can separate after thawing.
Top Tips
Drain fruit thoroughly: Extra juice will thin the mixture and prevent it from thickening properly.
Use small curd cottage cheese: Small curds blend more evenly with the other ingredients.
Fully thaw whipped topping: Thawed whipped topping folds into the mixture smoothly.
Allow enough chill time: The texture thickens as the salad rests in the refrigerator.
Mandarin Orange Jello Salad FAQs
The fruit may not have been drained well enough or the salad may need more time in the refrigerator. It should have a light and fluffy texture, but you might need to give it a stir if the liquid has pooled at the bottom.
No. The jello powder blends directly into the cottage cheese as it is stirred.
The flavor is mild. The orange gelatin, fruit and marshmallows are the dominant flavors.
Orange Cottage Cheese Jello Salad Recipe
Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces cottage cheese, small curd
- 1 Box orange gelatin, 3-Ounce
- 1 Can crushed pineapple, 20-Ounce, drained well
- 1 Can mandarin oranges, 15-Ounce, drained well, plus more for garnish
- 8 Ounces whipped topping, thawed
- 2 Cups miniature marshmallows, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Add cottage cheese and orange gelatin powder to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until the gelatin powder has mostly dissolved.
- Stir in the pineapple and mandarin oranges.
- Fold in thawed whipped topping and marshmallows.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until the dessert has firmed up.
- Serve garnished with more orange slices and mini marshmallows.
Notes
Use small curd cottage cheese: Small curds blend more evenly with the other ingredients.
Fully thaw whipped topping: Thawed whipped topping folds into the mixture smoothly.
Allow enough chill time: The texture thickens as the salad rests in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Cottage cheese jello salad brings together creamy cottage cheese, orange jello, pineapple, mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows in one chilled bowl. The orange flavor is light and sweet while the fruit adds little bursts of citrus and pineapple throughout. Served chilled, this jello and cottage cheese salad has that soft, fluffy texture people remember from classic dessert salads and you’ll find it pairs well with a variety of savory dishes.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
