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Lime jello salad with cottage cheese on a serving plate with a few pieces missing.

Easy Lime Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese

Samantha Erb
My lime jello salad with cottage cheese is a retro recipe made with lime jello, cottage cheese, pineapple, and pecans. It's sweet, delicious, and one still meant for the Thanksgiving table!
4.61 from 33 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate ★
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chill Time 5 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 147 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup reserved pineapple juice from a can of crushed pineapple pineapple used later
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 6 ounces lime jello mix
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup canned crushed pineapple juice already drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions
 

  • Drain the can of crushed pineapple juice, reserving about 3/4 cup of the juice.
  • Add 1 1/4 cup water to the pineapple juice to make 2 cups of liquid, pour it into a small pot, and bring it to a boil.
  • Add the lime jello mix and stir it until it is dissolved. Remove it from the heat and add 1 cup of cold water. Pour the jello mixture into a container and place it in the fridge, stirring it every 15 minutes for about 45 minutes.
  • Once the jello is forming a slight gel, combine the cottage cheese, diced celery, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans in a large bowl.
  • Add the cottage cheese mixture to the now cooled jello and mix. Spray a bundt pan lightly with cooking spray and pour the lime jello salad into the pan.
  • Place it back in the refrigerator covered for at least 5 hours (overnight preferred).
  • To remove the jello mold from the bundt pan, place it in a pan filled with hot water for 10-15 seconds. Place the serving plate on top of the bundt pan and then carefully flip it over. It should pop right out. 

Video

Notes

  • Always let the gelatin cool slightly before mixing in the cottage cheese so it holds together better.
  • Serve it in a mold and decorate it with maraschino cherries on top to make it look nice and festive.
  • If you're in a hurry to prep it, chill the mixing bowl in advance to help the gelatin set more quickly.
  • To avoid watery salad, drain the pineapple very well and save only the juice needed.
  • Chilling the lime Jello cottage cheese salad overnight makes the flavors come together even better.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 153mgPotassium: 111mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 68IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 0.3mg

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.

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