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If you love a sweet salad filled with pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, Cool Whip, and pistachio pudding, then this Easy Watergate Salad is just perfect! A deliciously cool and creamy addition to any dinner plate, this salad is impressive yet very quick and easy with only 5 ingredients.
Featured Comment
THANK YOU‼️ This Watergate Salad Recipe is an absolute FAVORITE❣️ Not only for the light delicious taste, but the ease of making it‼️ Best kept refrigerated; store leftovers (if there are any) in frig for up to 3 days!!
Have fun decorating‼️
Easy Watergate Salad
This incredibly easy Watergate Salad is perfect for your holiday dinner table, but you might also want to make it any weeknight just because it’s delicious. Simply toss the ingredients into a bowl, stir, and chill for a short time–so simple!
While you’re here, check out these other sweet salad recipes: Easy Orange Creamsicle Salad | Ambrosia Salad | Twix Caramel Apple Salad | Strawberry Pretzel Salad
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the watergate salad (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the printable recipe card):
- Instant pistachio Jell-O pudding mix
- Canned crushed pineapple
- Miniature marshmallows
- Chopped pecans
- Cool Whip
How to Make Easy Watergate Salad
Start by mixing together the dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.
Next, fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.
Chill the watergate salad until you’re ready to serve.
You may want to serve the salad in one large bowl, or you can scoop it into individual ramekins, cups, small bowls, or mugs. Individual servings are a really lovely presentation!
Substitutions and Toppings
Nuts – Instead of pecans, you could use chopped walnuts or pistachios.
Whipped cream – If you prefer real whipped cream to Cool Whip, you can definitely use your homemade whipped cream instead.
Toppings – For an extra pretty touch, top the watergate salad with a big dollop of Cool Whip and a maraschino cherry (or a few!).
How to Store Leftovers
Keep the leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Apple Blondies with Maple Glaze
- Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Caramel Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
- Best Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Add as Google Trusted SourceEasy Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, not drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Start by mixing together the dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.
- Next, fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.
- Chill the watergate salad until you're ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I like to add mandarin oranges.
I’ve made this a few times! Very simple and richly delicious.
Thank you Ashley!
Making again tomorrow for
Thanksgiving. We love this quick and easy recipe. Delicious ❣️
Thank you Nancy!
This salad is so easy to make and we enjoy eating it especially during hot weather. When I take it to church dinners, I come home with a empty bowl.
Thank you Shelia!
This has become a “go to” dish for church and family gatherings. Delicious-and nothing is left to bring home!
Yay! Thanks Sharon!
Very good for any occasion
Thank you Lawanda!
Yum, used 0 sugar pistachio pudding mix! Couldn’t tell the difference
Thanks Vicki!
Watergate Salad
I had this pistachio pudding (watergate salad) at a church Christmas party 12/24. It was delicious! So I asked for the recipe and here I am! It reminded me of ambrosia salad which is orangey in color and almost never sold in delis now. I never saw anything like it in green. Pistachio pudding is even easier to make; yeah for ME!
Thanks Nellie!
I have made this with the chopped pecans. I have even made it with them chopped up fine. Though , I have issues with them being they get iny teeth and under my partial. I started baking some coconut flakes to put in my Watergate salad instead of pecans. I really enjoy it much better now. Dried cranberries are also good added to the salad. Just a good mixture of color and it’s healthy.