Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
At just 1 WW point per serving, this Cottage Cheese Jello Salad is set to become your go-to Weight Watchers favorite! Combining creamy cottage cheese with fruity pineapple, juicy mandarin oranges, and a delicate orange Jello flavor, this salad is both light and irresistibly delicious. It’s a blast from the past, reminiscent of popular jello salads from the 1960s to the 1980s, and perfect as either a refreshing side dish or a sweet treat. By swapping full-fat ingredients for fat-free versions and using sugar-free Jello, you get all the classic taste without the extra points. Ready in no time and always a crowd-pleaser, this no-bake recipe is ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients in Weight Watchers Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
- 1 lb 8 oz fat-free cottage cheese
- 0.3 oz orange sugar-free, low-calorie jello mix (1 small box or ½ of family-size box)
- 8 oz container of fat-free whipped topping
- 15 oz can of no-sugar-added mandarin oranges, well-drained
- 8 oz can crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits, well-drained
Instructions for Making Weight Watchers Cottage Cheese Jello Salad
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Transform a classic salad with these instructions for making Weight Watchers Cottage Cheese Jello Salad. Combine tangy cottage cheese with vibrant fruit-flavored Jello for a light, refreshing, and low-point dessert that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Prepare Fruit
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Drain the canned pineapple and mandarin oranges.
Mix Ingredients
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
In a large bowl, sprinkle the dry Jello powder over the cottage cheese and mix until combined. Add the whipped topping and mix again.
Fold in Fruit
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Gently fold in the drained fruit.
Chill
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving. Garnish with additional fruit or mini marshmallows if desired.
Variations and Substitutions
Photo Credit: Unsplash.
- Strawberry Cottage Cheese Jello Salad: Use sugar-free strawberry Jello. Include mandarin oranges and pineapple if desired. Garnish with fresh strawberries.
- Lime Cottage Cheese Jello Salad: Use crushed or chopped pineapple and walnuts with sugar-free lime Jello.
- Other Flavors: Experiment with Jello flavors like raspberry or pistachio. Adjust mix-ins to match the flavor.
- Cottage Cheese Type: Use 1-2% or full-fat cottage cheese, noting that it will affect WW points.
- Serving Ideas: Garnish with mini marshmallows, additional fruit, nuts, or whipped cream.
Tips and Tricks for Making WW Jello Cottage Cheese Salad
Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
- Drain the Fruit Well: Ensure canned fruit is thoroughly drained to prevent excess moisture from creating a liquid layer in the salad.
- Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days. The salad may become soupy if stored longer due to the whipped topping and fruit juices.
- Avoid Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as the cottage cheese can affect the texture.
- Fold in Oranges Last: Add mandarin oranges last to preserve their shape and prevent breaking.
- Adjust Jello Flavor: Add more Jello powder for a bolder flavor or less for a subtler taste.
