Looking for a healthy dish that doesn’t taste like it is? This tropical gelatin fruit salad is SO simple to make and it’s absolutely delicious!
Today’s recipe is actually one that Nathan told me about for years that I promptly turned my nose up at every. single. time. He’d always talk about how his mom made it for holidays and how easy it was. But the truth is, I was certain it was one of those things that’s great when you’re a kid yet not so much as you grow older.
Here’s why. He never had a name for it. He’d just describe the ingredients and I’d immediately make up my mind that it would never be made in our household. Because really, I couldn’t wrap my head around how jello mix, cottage cheese, fruit and jello mix were supposed to make a delicious dish.
So before we get to the recipe, I’m going to say this:
Don’t be me.
Don’t judge this recipe before you have a chance to try it. Before you read the ingredients in this recipe and click over to anything but this, hear me out. Yes, it sounds a little weird. And yes, it probably shouldn’t work together. (Peanut butter and cheese sandwiches also shouldn’t work together – yet they do. And if you disagree, don’t worry – Nathan thinks I’m gross for it, too.) But this salad?
I hate admitting this, but this tropical gelatin fruit salad is to die for.
For one, it’s super easy which is kind of a staple in 90% of my favorite recipes.
Two, it’s actually healthy if you use low-fat/sugar-free options. I love eating it before bed so I don’t wake up at 2am and want to raid the fridge.
Three, we had all of these ingredients on hand and usually do. Yay for not having to shop for crazy ingredients!
Four, once you mix it all together and let it chill – something magical happens. I don’t know what it is, but somehow… these flavors combine to create something absolutely delicious.
tropical gelatin fruit salad recipe
- 16 oz of Cottage Cheese
- 8 oz of Whipped Topping
- 1 Can of Pineapple Tidbits Drained
- 1 Can of Mandarin Oranges Drained
- 2 Small Boxes or 1 Large Box of Orange Jello Mix
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Mix together the whipped topping and jello mix until thoroughly combined.
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Add in the cottage cheese and mix completely.
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Add in the fruit and mix.
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Refrigerate for one hour. Serve chilled
Make this recipe healthier by choosing fat free cottage cheese, low fat whipped topping, and/or sugar-free jello.
Swap out the fruit for different fruit or change the jello flavor for a new twist in this easy fruit salad!
Today’s Maker’s Mix-Up post is a little late due to our oldest pup, Meg, having surgery this morning. As I write this, she’s doing well so far and I’m hoping that continues. If you follow me on social media, you probably already know she was diagnosed with cancer this week and this surgery was a little (read: a lot) unplanned. This week has been a whirlwind of “what day is today?” and a lot of tough moments while we try to figure out our next steps from here. I’m hoping to write about it next week, but if you have dealt with dog cancer in any form and have any suggestions on resources – please share! I’ll take all the help I can get.