• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Thrifty Frugal Mom
  • Home
  • Welcome!
    • Contact
  • Frugal Living
    • Money Saving Tips
    • Frugal Gift Ideas
    • Meal Plans: What We Eat on $200 a Month
    • Our $200 Grocery Budget {Series}
    • Our $200 Grocery Budget: What I Spent & Saved
  • Frugal Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Soups
    • Make Your Own
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Canning & Freezing
  • Homemaking
    • Frugal Remodeling | Home Decor
    • Organization
  • Family
    • Baby
    • Kids

5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

by 30 Comments

Pin19.7K
Tweet
Share351
Yum1
Email
20.0K Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This creamy 5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad is such a light refreshing side dish or dessert.  And it’s so easy to make too- all you need is 5 minutes!

Easy 5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone. 

The one evening I can guarantee enthusiastic cheers from all 3 kids at dinner time is pizza night.  In fact, if I happen to not put it on our $200 a Month Menu Plan that week, I know that I’ll have at least one child complaining because they miss pizza and wish we were having it!

I typically make our pizza from scratch, but when life gets busy and I’m pushed for time, I definitely don’t have a problem reaching for store bought pre-made pizza!  In fact, sometimes as busy moms, we just need to be okay with taking advantage of those little “cheats” to keep our sanity!

mandarin orange salad made with Jello

And this past week definitely felt like a “cheat” was in order.  I’m nesting like crazy and besides trying to get things cleaned up and organized, I’ve also been slowly working at putting some meals in the freezer before this baby arrives.

Freschetta Pizzas

As if that wasn’t making things busy enough, we ended being gone all day Saturday to look at houses in Philly in preparation for our move there this fall.  So I was super glad Saturday evening that I had grabbed a Freschetta Pepperoni© and a Freschetta Brick Oven Mushroom & Spinach© at Walmart earlier in the week!

They definitely were a lifesaver since I was beyond exhausted.  And because they are made with high quality ingredients, including a sauce crafted with sun-ripened tomatoes, a crust that contains no chemical leaveners and 100% real provolone and mozzarella cheese, I can feel good about feeding them to my family too!

mandarin orange salad with jello, cool whip and cottage cheese

I often serve salad with our pizza, but since I was out of lettuce, I was forced to come up with an alternative.  That’s when I remembered this refreshing cottage cheese jello salad that my Mom has made for years.

It combines canned mandarin oranges, Jello, cottage cheese and Cool Whip into a light side dish that is absolutely perfect for summer weather.

And, of course, the fact that it can be made in about 5 minutes was definitely a big win!

orange jello salad with Cool whip and Mandarin oranges

I’m not really a fan of cottage cheese, other than in my favorite No Boil Oven Ready Lasagna, so for years, I avoided eating this mandarin orange salad when Mom would make it.

Then one day, for whatever reason I got brave, tried a bite and was surprised that to discover that it was actually quite delicious, cottage cheese and all!

I think the creaminess of the salad kind of won me over.  Well, that and the juicy bitefuls of mandarin oranges.  Yum!

Easy 5 Minute Mandarin Orange Salad with Jello

If you need a quick dish to pair with your pizza dinner or just want something light and refreshing to serve at your next cookout, I highly recommend this easy mandarin orange salad!  It’s definitely a winner!

5 Minute Mandarin Orange Salad with Jello

Print Recipe
4.37 from 52 votes

5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

This creamy 5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad is such a light refreshing side dish or dessert.  And it's so easy to make too- all you need is 5 minutes!

Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Author: ThriftyFrugalMom.com
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. package orange gelatin
  • 16 oz. cottage cheese (we prefer the small curd)
  • 11 oz. or 15 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained*
  • 2 cups Cool Whip or Homemade Real Whipped Cream** (link for Homemade Real Whipped Cream in Notes below)

Instructions

  • Mix powdered jello with cottage cheese.  Add mandarin oranges and combine.
  • Fold in Cool Whip (or Real Whipped Cream).
  • Best if refrigerated for several hours before serving, but it's definitely good right after it's made too!  The chilling just helps it set up better.

Notes

*Crushed pineapple or other fruit can be used instead…you could even change up the jello flavors for more variety!
** Click here for Homemade Real Whipped Cream recipe

Other recipes that you might enjoy:

  • No Bake Strawberry Pie with Jello
  • Quick Caramel Icing
  • Super Easy Sloppy Joes
  • White Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Pin19.7K
Tweet
Share351
Yum1
Email
20.0K Shares

Filed Under: Desserts, Other, Recipes

Previous Post: « $350 MONTH BUDGET MENU PLAN FOR OUR FAMILY OF 6 (Menu #47)
Next Post: 30 Cheap Pantry Staples that Make Homemade Meals Easy »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly

    August 23, 2016 at 8:56 AM

    We have made that jello for years, but with raspberry jello!! Delicious.

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      August 23, 2016 at 9:09 AM

      Oh, I can totally believe that raspberry jello would be delicious too! I’ll have to try that one of these times when I make this. Yum!

      Reply
  2. Denice Morehead

    January 26, 2018 at 12:44 PM

    This is so easy to make very good too!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      January 29, 2018 at 2:48 PM

      Thanks, Denice! So glad that you enjoyed it. You can’t beat easy and good, right? 🙂

      Reply
  3. Linda Steiger

    July 30, 2018 at 12:37 PM

    Good to have your input on freezer pizza i never buy it as have had too many duds but will try the Freshetta. And congratulations on your new arrival!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      July 31, 2018 at 2:19 PM

      I hear ya! We’ve had plenty of “cardboard” freezer pizzas too. We like the Freschetta brand and have also enjoyed Dr. Oetker’s pizzas as well. They are a little different with a thin crust and taste a little healthier, but we really like them too.

      Reply
  4. rmurfitt

    November 8, 2019 at 2:56 PM

    5 stars
    I’ve been making this for nearly 50 years, but my recipe also calls for a can of crushed pineapple in addition to the mandarin oranges. Delicious.

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      November 22, 2019 at 7:27 PM

      Wow, I hadn’t realized it was that old of a recipe! So fun to know! And I’ve heard of people adding crushed pineapple but I’ve always hesitated to do it because I’m just scared we won’t like it as well. But I suppose I should just give it a try and see. 🙂

      Reply
    • Nancy

      November 27, 2019 at 12:27 PM

      Hi just saw your comment.
      what size can of pineapple was that ?
      20 oz or larger?
      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • ThriftyFrugalMom

        November 27, 2019 at 2:02 PM

        Nancy, I’m not sure that rmurfitt will see your queston, but the people that I’ve seen talking about adding pineapple always mention it being a 20 oz. can of the crushed. Pretty sure that it would need to be drained well too in order for it not to make the salad soupy.

        Reply
    • Mary Faltus

      May 2, 2020 at 2:11 PM

      I’ve been making it for 44 years to be exact. In fact, it’s what I craved with all 3 of my pregnancies. I still love it just as the recipe states.

      Reply
      • Lydia Beiler

        May 4, 2020 at 10:04 AM

        It’s a classic, isn’t it, Mary?

        Reply
    • Carol B

      April 9, 2021 at 1:30 PM

      5 stars
      I also often add a small can of crushed pineapple, and sometimes chopped pecans, a small handful of coconut and/or mini marshmallows just to change it up or make it grow for a larger crowd of people. Great for church potlucks,…quick and easy recipe!

      Reply
      • Lydia Beiler

        April 12, 2021 at 11:09 AM

        Yes, it’s perfect for potlucks!

        Reply
  5. Gail

    December 6, 2019 at 10:59 AM

    Do you make the jello per box instructions or are do you just just use it as the powder?

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      December 6, 2019 at 11:02 AM

      You just use it as the powder- it’s what flavors the salad.

      Reply
  6. Louise Shirley

    December 8, 2019 at 2:58 PM

    Do I make the jello or just use the dry jello mix?

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      December 8, 2019 at 3:13 PM

      You just use the dry jello mix! So easy!

      Reply
  7. Julie

    December 30, 2019 at 1:48 AM

    We have also been making this for 50 years or so. We also add the crushed pineapple and pecan pieces. It is delicious!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      January 24, 2020 at 11:26 AM

      I have heard of people adding pineapple, but never pecans! That would be an interesting addition!

      Reply
  8. Cathy Schmidt

    January 23, 2020 at 8:03 PM

    5 stars
    Can I use Sugar Free Orange Jello or does it have to be the regular?

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      January 24, 2020 at 11:26 AM

      I don’t know why using sugar free would be a problem, Cathy! As far as I know, it should be fine. Enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Joy

    June 1, 2020 at 4:30 PM

    We’ve made a variation of this for years!! Only thing different is we add mini marshmallows usually the colored ones to make it really pretty.

    Reply
    • Lydia Beiler

      June 16, 2020 at 11:11 PM

      Yum! That sounds like a tasty addition!

      Reply
  10. Gigi

    June 20, 2020 at 6:59 PM

    5 stars
    Hi we have been making this for so long, but we have been making it with a jar or two of cherries cut in two.. I guess i can share a funny story with yall since its just us girls. One forth of July I had made a huge bowl and my cousin and I were setting everything up. We were alone in the house at the time thank God. well that huge bowl slipped out of my hands and plopped onto the floor. lol We looked at each other and she said nobody will know scoop it up. So we did and cleaned up the mess. Everyone ate it all up like they always do. She and I were asked if we wanted some befoer it was all gone and w just looked at each other and quickly said nooo yall enjoy it. To this day we have never told any of the family.

    Reply
    • Lydia Beiler

      June 22, 2020 at 5:27 PM

      The cherries are an addition I’ve never heard of. I think it would add a fun pop of color! And your salad story made me laugh. One of those cases where what you don’t know doesn’t hurt you?

      Reply
  11. Lydia Russo

    June 30, 2020 at 8:28 AM

    5 stars
    I made this recipe yesterday & it was fantastic! Family loved it & it couldn’t have been easier. I did make some modifications: added can of pineapple chunks drained, 2 Tablespoons Penzey’s lemon peel, 1 teaspoon Penzey’s lemon powder & about a cup of crushed walnut. Oh my gosh it was good.

    Reply
    • Lydia Beiler

      June 30, 2020 at 2:16 PM

      Love your tweaks on the recipe! I especially think the lemon would be an addition that I would love. I’m sure it gives a nice burst of additional flavor!

      Reply
  12. Marie

    April 5, 2021 at 1:33 PM

    What about using whipped cream from the can?

    Reply
    • Lydia Beiler

      April 5, 2021 at 1:34 PM

      I would think that should work just fine!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I’m Lydia. I want to help you find ways to live well and enjoy life on a budget! Read more…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright ©2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy