Mandarin Orange Jello Salad (Easy Recipe)

The next time you need a sweet, creamy, and protein-packed dessert, try this quick and easy mandarin orange jello salad with cottage cheese.

It’s rich, fruity, and sure to hit the spot.

Indulge in a blast from the past with this fun and sweet orange jello salad! 

This delightful treat is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy. And I know everyone will want seconds.

From the mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple to the cottage cheese (trust me, it works), you’ll probably need to make double.

Orange Jello Salad With Cottage Cheese

A mix of mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and orange jello, this one sounds a little odd.

But if you’ve ever been to the Midwest and had one of their legendary dessert salads, I know you’ll dig it.

Every bite of this orange jello salad with cottage cheese gives you an explosion of flavors.

It’s light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end a family meal.

Oh, and feel free to change up the recipe. For example, you could try it with fresh strawberries or lime jello!

Or make it into a trifle with some whipped cream and sponge cake. The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make orange jello salad: 

• Mandarin Oranges: Juicy and sweet bites of sunshine, adding a pop of flavor to every spoonful.

• Crushed Pineapple: A touch of the tropics, bringing a sweet and tangy flavor to the dessert.

• Orange Jello: The vibrant and zesty star of the show, creating a delightful balance of flavors.

• Cottage Cheese: Rich, smooth, and creamy to contrast the sweet and tangy fruits.

• Fluffy Whipped Topping: Light and airy, adding a delightful texture to every bite.

How to Make Orange Jello Salad

To make orange jello salad, follow these simple steps:

1. Mix the mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and orange jello until well combined. Give it a good stir, making sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

2. Put the bowl in the fridge to chill. When everything is well mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes.

3. Mix in the cottage cheese and whipped topping. Take the bowl out of the fridge and stir in the creamy cottage cheese until it’s evenly distributed.

4. Return the bowl to the fridge to chill. It’s important to let the mix chill again so it holds up when scooped. Otherwise, it’ll just be a sloppy mess.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Drain the fruit well before mixing it with the jello. Excess liquid will make the salad watery.

• Use top-quality whipped topping for the best texture and flavor. If you use something cheap, it might turn out watery.

• Chill the salad for at least an hour. This should be enough time to let the jello set.

• Experiment with different fruits. I like peaches, grapes, or coconut.

• If you don’t like the texture of cottage cheese, blend it until smooth. You’ll get the same creamy texture and protein, just without the lumps.

• If you prefer a sweeter salad, add a little extra sugar. Or use sweetened condensed milk instead of cottage cheese.

Variations

Use this exact recipe and make a few swaps to get a different variation:

• Peach Jello Salad: use fresh, chopped peaches or canned (drained) peaches. Then use peach jello instead of orange.

• Fruit Cocktail Jello Salad: Swap the orange jello for tropical fusion or island pineapple jello.

• Cherry Jello Salad: Instead of orange jello, use cherry jello. You can also mix in fresh cherries or maraschino cherries instead of the oranges.

• Raspberry Jello Salad: Combine raspberry jello with fresh raspberries for a tangy dessert.

• Pineapple Jello Salad: Mix pineapple jello with bits of fresh pineapple for a tropical twist.

• Low-Sugar Jello Salad: Use sugar-free jello mix.

How to Store Orange Jello Salad

This dessert can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, as long as it’s covered.

It does not freeze well, but you can make it ahead by a day.

More Dessert Salads You’ll Love

Creamy Grape Salad
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
5 Cup Salad
Ambrosia Salad
Watergate Salad