Looking for an easy and delicious cottage cheese orange jello salad? This creamy mandarin orange Jello salad is made with just 6 ingredients and comes together quickly and easily. Perfect for holiday dinners, cookout, potlucks and barbecues!
Do you remember the classic orange Jello salad with cottage cheese? Your grandma likely made this recipe, as Jello salad recipes were super popular in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
The reason these salads were popular is because they were relatively inexpensive to make. The amount the salad made was high in volume so it became popular for those with many mouths to feed.
The popularity of Jello salad recipes was vast, as they were colorful, sweet and creamy. Dressed up with extra fruit and marshmallow garnishes, these salads became something to “show-off” at a potluck, cookout or neighborhood gathering.
In this post I’ll show you how to easily recreate this classic orange Jello salad recipe just the way your grandma use to make. I’ll show you the exact ingredients you’ll need, how to mix it together, and the best ways to prepare it in advance for a holiday dinner, cookout or potluck.
What do I need to make a mandarin orange Jello salad?
- Orange Jello mix – this is what will give the classic Jello salad its orange color. Feel free to use a sugar-free mix if you want to reduce the refined sugar.
- Vanilla pudding mix – vanilla pudding mix will help give the salad a thicker, creamy texture. It will also lend to the creamy vanilla flavor giving the salad a creamsicle-like flavor.
- Mini marshmallows – once added to the salad and stirred in with the Jello, this will give the salad its fluffiness. Feel free to add extra marshmallows to the top of the salad as a garnish.
- Cool Whip – a standard ingredient in most Jello salad recipes, Cool Whip will give the salad its creamy texture. If you would prefer a homemade Cool Whip recipe, try this one!
- Mandarin oranges – canned mandarin oranges are ideal for this recipe.
- Cottage Cheese – cottage cheese adds some nice volume and protein to the salad. It also gives the salad a bit of texture to the creaminess.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
How do I make orange Jello salad with cottage cheese?
To make Jello salad, you’ll first need to make the Jello base. Start by adding the Jello mix to a bowl with the boiling water and whisk it well until the powder is dissolved. Next add in the cold water and continue to mix.
Refrigerate this Jello mixture for 15 minutes for the mixture to begin to set.
After 15 minutes in the refrigerator, whisk in the vanilla pudding mix to the Jello mixture. Make sure to whisk it in well so that the powder is completely dissolved. The consistency will become thicker. Refrigerate again for another 15 minutes.
Is there Cool Whip in Jello salad?
Once the Jello and pudding mixture has chilled, you’ll then add in the Cool Whip. Fold this into the Jello mixture until its creamy and well combined.
Add in the mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges and cottage cheese. Using a rubber scraper, fold all ingredients together until creamy and well combined.
Chill the salad for another 2 hours. This will help the salad become thicker and set-up. The marshmallow will also soften and add to the fluffiness of the salad.
Jello Salad Mix-Ins and Substitutions:
- Chopped Nuts: chopped almonds or pecans are a great way to add some crunch to the salad.
- Extra Oranges: This recipe calls for one (15 oz.) can of mandarin oranges. If you would like to add some volume and extra fruit, add a second can. This will also add some great color contrast to the salad.
- Crushed Pineapple: adding a can of drained, crushed pineapple will add some extra volume and a great complimentary flavor to the salad.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
How long does orange fluff Jello salad need to refrigerate?
Jello salad will need a minimum of 2 hours to refrigerate once it has been mixed together.
Can I make mandarin orange Jello salad in advance?
This Jello salad is a great recipe to make and refrigerate in advance of a holiday dinner, cookout or potluck. Because the salad needs time to refrigerate and set up, it is best to mix together the night before serving.
How long will orange fluff Jello salad last?
When kept refrigerated in an airtight container, this orange Jello salad will keep for 4-5 days.
Love orange recipes? Check out these other orange recipe ideas:
- Cranberry Citrus Salad with Pecans
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad – includes mandarin oranges!
- Pineapple Mango Salsa
- Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Rosemary Citrus Water
- Orange Creamsicle Cake by It Is A Keeper
Love a sweet salad recipe? Check out these other Jello and Pudding side dish recipes:
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Fluffy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls These stainless steel mixing bowls are an essential cooking tool for every kitchen.
- Rubber Scrapers These Cuisinart rubber scraper spatulas are fantastic for fillings, batters, and so much more!
- Whisk A fantastic all-purpose whisk perfect for cooking and baking!
Ingredients
- 1 3 oz. box orange Jell-O mix you can also use sugar-free
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 3.4 oz. box vanilla pudding mix you can also use sugar-free
- 1 8 oz. carton Cool Whip thawed
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups mini marshmallows plus more for garnish, if desired
- 1 15 oz. can mandarin oranges drained and rinsed
Optional:
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- To a large mixing bowl whisk together the orange jello mix and the boiling water. Whisk well until the jello mixture is completely dissolved. Pour in the cold water and continue to whisk. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to chill.
- Remove the Jello mixture from the refrigerator after 15 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla pudding mix until completely dissolved into the Jello mixture. Return to the refrigerator for another 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove the jello mixture from the refrigerator. Using a rubber scraper, fold in the Cool Whip until well combined. Add in the cottage cheese, drained oranges and cottage cheese. Fold together using the rubber scraper until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Mixture will set-up and become "fluffy" once refrigerated.
- Serve and enjoy chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
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