Description
Watergate Salad is a light, creamy, and fluffy dessert made with pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, marshmallows, and walnuts. It’s a classic retro dish perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a quick sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package of instant pistachio pudding mix (dry, not prepared)
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1 (10 ounce) bag mini marshmallows (divided)
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (divided)
- 1 (8 ounce) tub Cool Whip, thawed
- Maraschino cherries (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the crushed pineapple (with juice) and the dry pistachio pudding mix until fully combined.
- Add the Cool Whip and stir until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Fold in 2 cups of mini marshmallows and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and set.
- Before serving, top with the remaining marshmallows, chopped walnuts, and optional maraschino cherries.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator overnight.
- Feel free to swap walnuts for pecans or omit nuts if preferred.
- For a fun twist, add shredded coconut or chopped fruit like mandarin oranges.
- Always chill thoroughly before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
