Description
This Easy Watergate Salad is a creamy, sweet, and crunchy dessert salad combining instant pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, and Cool Whip. It’s a quick, no-cook dish perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you want a nostalgic, flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Mix Pudding and Pineapple: In a large bowl, combine the instant pistachio pudding mix with the entire can of crushed pineapple including the juice. Stir well to blend the flavors evenly.
- Add Marshmallows and Pecans: Fold in the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans gently to distribute them throughout the mixture without breaking them up.
- Incorporate Cool Whip: Carefully fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are well combined for that luscious salad texture.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Watergate Salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to firm up slightly before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, make sure the Cool Whip is fully thawed before folding it into the mixture.
- You can substitute chopped walnuts for pecans if preferred.
- This salad is best served chilled and consumed within 24-48 hours for optimal freshness.
- To add extra crunch, sprinkle a few extra chopped nuts on top just before serving.
