5.0 from 9 votes
Watergate Salad
The classic side salad that's made with just 6 ingredients including pineapple, pistachio pudding mix, marshmallows, maraschino cherries, pecans, and whipped topping! A one-bowl, stir-together, 5-minute recipe that's perfect for casual events, parties, and family dinners.
Prep Time
5 mins
Chill Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 382 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 20- ounce can crushed pineapple with juice do not drain
- two 3.4 ounce packages pistachio instant pudding mix not cook 'n serve
- 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup Maraschino cherries halved; plus a few more whole cherries for garnishing
- ⅔ cup pecans lightly chopped (walnuts may be substituted; or omit the nuts if preferred)
- 16 ounces Cool Whip or similar whipped topping thawed (2 standard sized tubs)
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add the pineapple with juice, the instant pistachio pudding mix, and stir to combine. Note - you are not making pudding here; just add the dry pudding mix and stir it with the pineapple and juice.
- Add the marshmallows, cherries (Tip - don't get too much cherry juice into the bowl because when mixed with the green pudding, the color will become less pretty), pecans, and stir to combine.
- Add the Cool Whip and lightly fold to combine.*
- Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Before serving, garnish with a few whole cherries and additional pecans, if desired. Watergate salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days although will deflate and be more watery as time passes. I recommend making it 1 to 4 hours before you plan to serve it.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- * I suggest using regular full-fat Cool Whip or Light, but not Fat-Free. Because the fat creates the fluffiness which is a hallmark of Watergate salad. Also I have found that the brand name Cool Whip tends to be a bit fluffier than store brands or generic brands from my personal experience.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1
Calories
382kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
11g
Cholesterol
1mg
(0%)
Sodium
125mg
(5%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
31g
(62%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 382
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 382kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 125mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.