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 5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad that my Mom has made for years.
It’s light and absolutely perfect for summer weather. And of course, I won’t complain about the fact that it whips up in about 5 minutes either!
I’m not really a fan of cottage cheese, other than in lasagna, so for years, I avoided eating this jello 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 salad! It’s definitely a winner!
5 Minute Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
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!
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.
Recipe 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
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Holly says
We have made that jello for years, but with raspberry jello!! Delicious.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
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 says
This is so easy to make very good too!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
Thanks, Denice! So glad that you enjoyed it. You can’t beat easy and good, right? 🙂
Linda Steiger says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Hi just saw your comment.
what size can of pineapple was that ?
20 oz or larger?
Thank you for sharing.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
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.
Gail says
Do you make the jello per box instructions or are do you just just use it as the powder?
ThriftyFrugalMom says
You just use it as the powder- it’s what flavors the salad.
Louise Shirley says
Do I make the jello or just use the dry jello mix?
ThriftyFrugalMom says
You just use the dry jello mix! So easy!