Description
This retro Watergate Salad is a creamy, fluffy dessert made with pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, nuts, and Cool Whip. It’s quick to make, perfect for summer gatherings, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip or whipped topping
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the entire can of crushed pineapple (juice and all) into a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the instant pistachio pudding mix on top and stir until the pudding dissolves and the mixture turns green and thick.
- Fold in the miniature marshmallows and chopped pecans or walnuts gently.
- Add the Cool Whip and fold in gently until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 4 hours) to allow flavors to meld and marshmallows to soften.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and transfer to a serving dish.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries and extra chopped nuts if desired.
Notes
Use instant pudding and undrained pineapple for best results. Toast nuts for extra flavor. Chill for at least 1 hour for optimal texture; overnight is even better. Homemade whipped cream can be substituted for Cool Whip but is less stable. For gluten-free, double-check pudding and marshmallow labels. Add-ins like coconut, mandarin oranges, or berries can be used for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: Watergate Salad, pistachio pudding, summer dessert, creamy salad, retro dessert, potluck recipe, pineapple, Cool Whip, marshmallow salad