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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.

Easy Watergate Salad

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

ingredients to make Easy Watergate Salad

How to Make Easy Watergate Salad

Start by mixing together the dry pudding mix, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans.

stirring together pecans, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and Jello mix

Next, fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.

watergate salad in a mint green bowl

Chill the watergate salad until you’re ready to serve.

Easy Watergate Salad with mini marshmallows and pecans

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!

Easy Watergate Salad in glass mugs

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!).

Easy Watergate Salad

How to Store Leftovers

Keep the leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Easy Watergate Salad

More Recipes You’ll Love

5 from 139 votes

Easy Watergate Salad

If you love a sweet salad filled with pineapple, marshmallows, 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.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients 

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

Calories: 213kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 146mgFiber: 2gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 89IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Easy Watergate Salad on Pinterest

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Jill

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5 from 139 votes (62 ratings without comment)

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163 Comments

  1. Sandra Gonzalez says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing

  2. Tracy says:

    This was a hit at an office party and at home! So easy and delicious.

    1. Jill says:

      Glad to hear that Tracy. Thank you!

  3. ROSE MEDINA says:

    5 stars
    This is the third or fourth time I’ve made this salad and every time is a hit. Thank you.

    1. Jill says:

      Thank you Rose!

  4. Glenda Langston says:

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOVED this recipe!!!!!
    Thanks so much!!!!!!!

    1. Jill says:

      Thank you Glenda!

  5. Ginger says:

    5 stars
    My family devoured this dish! Can’t wait to make it again…going to store now!

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Ginger!

  6. brenda l molden says:

    love this stuff couldnt remember the recipe thanks jill you are a lifesaver

    1. Jill says:

      Glad you found it Brenda. Thanks!

  7. Janice says:

    5 stars
    I made this for New Years dinner , it’s my husband’s favorite dessert.

    1. Jill says:

      Thank you Janice!

  8. Cathi says:

    5 stars
    I’ve used this recipe for years. But I seem to have to look at it every year, just to make I’m doing it right. I make it for Christms and Easter and when my husband asks. He loves it! Thank you!

    1. Jill says:

      Thanks Cathi!

  9. Pat Shaw says:

    5 stars
    Excellent, haven’t made this salad in a while.
    I also add 1/2 cup grated sweetened coconut. Soooo good

    1. Jill says:

      Thank you Pat!

  10. James says:

    Did someone say you could put lime jello in this to jazz it up?