Are you craving a delightful and refreshing dessert? Look no further than delectable Orange Jello Salad! Bursting with tangy citrus flavors and a smooth, velvety texture, this dish is a crowd-pleaser.

A picture of an orange jello salad. It’s light orange and white with accents of maraschino cherries

There’s never a shortage of salad dishes at one our our family get togethers, and they certainly come in a variety of flavors and textures. The Orange Jello Salad is always in the starting lineup! It’s quick, creamy, cool, and super yummy!

I have to be honest, cottage cheese has never been one of my favorite foods. However, the fullness and texture it gives this salad and the way it melds with the other flavors makes it delicious! If you’re like me and don’t typically prefer it, believe me, made this way... it’s a game changer!

We love to serve Orange Jello salad as a side dish or dessert. A nice dollop along with savory sides gives the meal a sweet accent. It’s creamy, cool and oh so yummy! Whether you're serving it at a family gathering or a summer picnic, this enticing treat is sure to impress. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and add a burst of vibrant color to your table.

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Cottage Cheese
Orange Jello
Crushed Pineapple
Mandarin Oranges
Cool Whip
Maraschino Cherries

What you need to make orange Jell-O salad: Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, mandarin, oranges, maraschino, cherries, cottage, cheese, orange Jell-O.

Tools You’ll Need

Large Bowl
Spatula

Why You’ll like this Recipe

It’s brings back fond memories of childhood!
It takes less than 10 minutes to make!
It’s a great make ahead side dish or dessert!
It has an excellent texture and delicious, sweet flavors!

How to Make this Recipe

In a large bowl, mix cottage cheese and Jello together until blended well.

Cottage cheese blended with orange Jell-O mix in a bowl

Fold in crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges.

Mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, being blended into cottage cheese, and orange Jell-O mix.

Lastly, fold in Cool Whip and maraschino cherries.

Picture of orange Jell-O salad, and a clear bowl completely made.

Refrigerate at least 2 hours prior to serving. Add extra maraschino cherries on top, if desired.

Tips and Substitutions

Orange Jello salad separates a bit as it chills. Simply pour off any excess moisture and give it a stir before serving.
Some cottage cheese brands have more moisture content than others. Make sure to drain excess moisture before blending.
Drain and pat dry the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges before blending into the mixture.
Sugar-free Jello can be used in place of regular.
If desired, add 1-2 cups mini marshmallows in the final step.

3 salads on a counter: orange jello salad, macaroni salad and cornbread chicken salad.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up 3 to 4 days. It is not recommended to freeze and thaw.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I want to add marshmallows, when I do I that and how much?
- 1-2 cups mini marshmallows can be folded in along with the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges.
Do I need to pre-make the Jello first?
- No, it’ll dissolve as it combines with the other ingredients.
I don’t like orange flavor. Can I make it with other flavors?
- Yes! You can use strawberry or raspberry Jello mix and sub the mandarin oranges with fresh strawberries or raspberries.
When did "Jello Salads" become a thing?
- Jello Salads began as early as the 1920s and gained in popularity over the years. The 1960s they gained the strongest growth in popularity. Jello based salads come in all types of flavors, forms and textures.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
- Yes, orange jello salad made with the ingredients shown above in my recipe is gluten-free.
Can I make this with sugar-free Jello?
- Yes, you can substitute regular Jello for sugar-free. There will still be carbohydrates/sugar in the salad, primarily from the fruit.

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