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!
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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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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
5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
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
Other recipes that you might enjoy:
Holly
We have made that jello for years, but with raspberry jello!! Delicious.
ThriftyFrugalMom
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!
Denice Morehead
This is so easy to make very good too!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Thanks, Denice! So glad that you enjoyed it. You can’t beat easy and good, right? 🙂
Linda Steiger
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!
ThriftyFrugalMom
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.
rmurfitt
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.
ThriftyFrugalMom
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. 🙂
Nancy
Hi just saw your comment.
what size can of pineapple was that ?
20 oz or larger?
Thank you for sharing.
ThriftyFrugalMom
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.
Mary Faltus
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.
Lydia Beiler
It’s a classic, isn’t it, Mary?
Carol B
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!
Lydia Beiler
Yes, it’s perfect for potlucks!
Gail
Do you make the jello per box instructions or are do you just just use it as the powder?
ThriftyFrugalMom
You just use it as the powder- it’s what flavors the salad.
Louise Shirley
Do I make the jello or just use the dry jello mix?
ThriftyFrugalMom
You just use the dry jello mix! So easy!
Julie
We have also been making this for 50 years or so. We also add the crushed pineapple and pecan pieces. It is delicious!
ThriftyFrugalMom
I have heard of people adding pineapple, but never pecans! That would be an interesting addition!
Cathy Schmidt
Can I use Sugar Free Orange Jello or does it have to be the regular?
ThriftyFrugalMom
I don’t know why using sugar free would be a problem, Cathy! As far as I know, it should be fine. Enjoy!
Joy
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.
Lydia Beiler
Yum! That sounds like a tasty addition!
Gigi
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.
Lydia Beiler
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?
Lydia Russo
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.
Lydia Beiler
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!
Marie
What about using whipped cream from the can?
Lydia Beiler
I would think that should work just fine!