Jello Salad
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My recipe for jello salad is light, creamy, with the perfect mix of sweetness. I love making it for summer parties and holidays, and it’s always the talk of the dessert table!
My Go-to Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
I created my recipe for jello salad two summers ago when I found myself in a last-minute situation. I had completely forgotten about a party I was invited to until about 30 minutes before it started, and I didn’t want to show up empty-handed.
I frantically looked through my fridge and pantry and saw the Cool Whip and strawberry Jell-O mix and thought, oooh, this will go together nicely!
I whipped my dish up in just 5 minutes and even had time for it to sit in the fridge while I finished getting my kids ready for the party.
When I say my recipe is delicious, I mean it was the talk of the party. No one had ever had a strawberry jello salad with cottage cheese before, and it was the first side dish gone from the spread. I ended up sending the recipe to five different people from the party and realized that was a sign I should probably put it on my website.
I now make it for summer parties, Easter, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas per request from my family.
And, if you love a good jello dessert, try my recipes for strawberry jello cake, jello with fruit, watergate salad, lime jello salad, cranberry jello salad, and strawberry fluff.
Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
- Strawberry jello mix — or other brand gelatin powder
- Cottage cheese — I use the small curd cottage cheese
- Canned crushed pineapple
- Cool Whip
- Strawberries — for topping
How to make Jello salad
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Place the cottage cheese in a food processor and pulse it until it becomes smooth and creamy. This step is optional, but I find it gives the jello salad a nice texture, especially for those who aren’t a fan of chunky cottage cheese.
STEP TWO: Place the strawberry jello and cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl and stir to mix. Then, add the crushed pineapple and stir again.
STEP THREE: Add the Cool Whip and fold it into the cottage cheese mixture. Stir gently so it does not deflate the fluffy Cool Whip. Pour the mixture into a serving bowl.
STEP FOUR: Set the jello salad in the fridge to chill until ready to be served or serve it right away!
Tips to Make the Best Jello Dessert
- Drain the pineapple well to prevent excess moisture from diluting the jello salad. I find when it’s not drained, it makes the congealed salad a little watery.
- Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor for 1 minute before stirring it with the jello. I do this when I’m serving it to people who are not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese.
- Gently fold the Cool Whip into the mixture so it doesn’t deflate. I recommend doing this by hand as a stand mixer will mix it way too quickly.
- Chill the jello salad in the fridge until it’s ready to be served. It’s okay to skip this step, but I think it really helps the flavors meld.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container, covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Jello Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the strawberry jello for a flavor like lime, orange, or cherry. I love making a cherry version and putting cherries on top to serve.
- Remove the cottage cheese and replace it with vanilla pudding mix. This will change texture, but still taste phenomenal. I usually need to add a little water to make it perfect.
- Sprinkle the top with coconut flakes for a delicious tropical twist!
- Incorporate different fruit garnishes like kiwi slices or fresh blueberries. My favorite is strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries all together on top.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract to deepen the flavor profile.
- Mix in some marshmallow fluff for the Cool Whip for an even fluffier salad. I love using this when I have a little marshmallow fluff left that I need to use up.
What to Serve with Congealed Salad
I love enjoying my jello cottage cheese salad on its own, but will occasionally top it with a whipped topping like whipped cream or Cool Whip frosting. I’ve even dipped fresh fruit into it.
Jello Salad FAQs
What is Strawberry Fluff Made Of?
I love to call this everything from jello salad to cottage cheese jello salad and even strawberry fluff. The ingredients in my recipe include cottage cheese, strawberry jello, pineapple, and Cool Whip.
Why Did My Jello Cottage Cheese Salad Get Watery?
I designed my recipe to create a jello salad with cottage cheese that is on the thicker side and not watery. To make sure it comes out that perfect texture, drain the canned pineapples completely.
Why is Jello Salad Called Salad?
Jello salad got its name thanks to the way it looks: small pieces of fruit come together to form what looks similar to a vegetable or fruit salad. It’s also called salad to differentiate itself from just normal jello.
How Long Does Strawberry Jello Salad Last?
When I have any leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I find it tastes the freshest when I eat it within 1-2 days of making it. If it starts to separate from sitting so long, I mix it all up before eating it again.
More easy dessert Recipes
- Peanut butter balls
- 3 ingredient banana pudding
- Frog eye salad
- Fruit salad dressing
- Pineapple upside down cake
- 3 ingredient no bake cheesecake
- Grape salad
- Peanut butter frosting
- Fruit dip recipe
Easy Jello Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box, 3 ounces strawberry jello
- 1 container, 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 can, 15 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
- 8 ounces cool whip, thawed
- Sliced strawberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the cottage cheese in a food processor and pulse it until it becomes smooth and creamy. This step is optional, but I find it gives the jello salad a nice texture, especially for those who aren't a fan of chunky cottage cheese.
- In a large bowl, stir together the strawberry jello and cottage cheese. Next, add the crushed pineapple and stir to combine.
- Add the cool whip and gently fold it into the cottage cheese mixture– you don’t want to deflate the cool whip too much, so make sure to stir gently.
- If you have time, allowing the jello salad to rest in the fridge before serving will help the flavors meld, but if you’re in a rush, serve it as is.
- Garnish with sliced strawberries, and enjoy.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Have you made this with ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese?
Hi Joy,
I am sure you could use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese but it will change the texture of the recipe as ricotta isn’t as lump as cottage cheese
I’ve tried ricotta. Both texture and flavor are changed quite a lot in my opinion. Without the cottage cheese it doesn’t seems to have that tangy zing that balances out the sweetness so perfectly.
Can this be made with fresh strawberries instead of canned pineapple???
Hi Mary, Yes you can, but I recommend slicing the strawberries, coating them with a couple tablespoons of sugar, and letting them chill in the fridge for an hour before making the jello salad. This will help to draw out some of the moisture from the strawberries, preventing your jello salad from becoming too watery. Enjoy!
Do you mix the jello with hot water first, the mix into the cottage cheese? Or add it dry?
Hi Violet, You add the packet of dry powder to the cottage cheese. Do not add any hot water. Enjoy!
I’ve made this salad so many times and it turned out great. However, the last two times I made it, it did not set and was watery. I added more dry jello to the salad and I’m currently waiting to see if it sets up. If it doesn’t, I won’t be taking it the family Christmas dinner. No one wants to eat soupy jello salad.
Hi Karen, I haven’t had any problems with this not setting up. Be sure to thoroughly drain the crushed pineapple, and make sure the cool whip is fully thawed before folding it in to the recipe.
I have been looking for a recipe like this. It is so good. Can use it with other flavors of jello that go with the pineapple too.
Hi Vickie, Absolutely! I’d love to hear if you find a new combination you love.