Description
Watergate Salad is a light and fluffy dessert salad combining instant pistachio pudding mix with crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, mini marshmallows, and chopped walnuts. This easy no-cook recipe is chilled to blend flavors and topped with maraschino cherries for a classic, sweet treat perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix (dry powder, not prepared)
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple (with the juice)
- 1 (8 ounce) tub Cool Whip, thawed
Add-ins
- 1 (10 ounce) bag mini marshmallows (divided, about 2 cups plus leftover)
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts, divided (½ cup plus remaining)
Garnish
- Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix the pudding: In a large bowl, combine the entire can of crushed pineapple along with its juice and the dry instant pistachio pudding mix. Stir thoroughly until the pudding mix is fully dissolved and the mixture is well blended.
- Make it fluffy: Add the thawed Cool Whip to the pineapple and pudding mixture. Stir gently to combine, ensuring an even and creamy consistency without deflating the whipped topping.
- Add texture and crunch: Fold in 2 cups of mini marshmallows and ½ cup of chopped walnuts. Mix gently to evenly distribute the marshmallows and walnuts throughout the salad.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up nicely.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, scatter the remaining mini marshmallows and walnuts over the top for extra texture. Garnish with maraschino cherries as desired. Serve the salad chilled for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts or substitute with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Ensure Cool Whip is thawed to room temperature for easy mixing.
- You can prepare the salad a day ahead and keep refrigerated to enhance flavor fusion.
- Use miniature marshmallows for the best texture; larger marshmallows can be chopped if necessary.
- This salad is best served cold, so keep it refrigerated until serving time.
