There is nothing better than Watergate Salad! This simple dump-and-go salad is a classic that makes it’s way into every celebration because it’s both incredibly delicious and incredibly easy. Whip it together in less than 5 minutes and you’re good to go! Love pistachio? Make sure to try my Easy Pistachio Pie and Pistachio and White Chocolate Pudding Cookies too!
Watergate Salad
Pistachio Dessert Salad, Watergate Salad or Pistachio Fluff – whatever you choose to call it – it’s delicious! I mean, what’s better than dumping a handful of ingredients together in a bowl, giving it a quick stir, popping in the fridge to the chill and then having it ready to go when you are?
The answer? Nothing. Especially when you end up with a deliciously sweet and satisfying Watergate Salad for that teeny amount of effort.
As you guys know, I am a fluff lover. Like, I make a fluff salad for pretty much every function you can think of: holidays, potlucks, parties, etc. It’s my go-to. And there’s ample reasoning to support these decisions:
- There is never a single bit leftover. Never.
- Takes about 5 minutes to make.
- Cheap. Like, really, really cheap to make.
This is basically the criteria for all my life choices.
To top it all off, this is pistachio flavored! I looooove pistachio!
What Is In Watergate Salad
Not a whole heck of a lot you guys. We’re talking 5 ingredients. TOTAL.
- pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix
- crushed pineapple – in juice! Do not drain!
- miniature marshmallows
- chopped nuts your favorite – I usually use pecans or pistachios
- Cool Whip – you can use lite if you prefer
Family recipes are the best. Seriously. I mean, if we’re talking food that brings back the memories, it’s got to be a family recipe. Last month my little sister was out visiting and we made the rounds to all the local relatives so they could visit with Ashley. We met up with my Aunt Lana and had a wonderful visit.
My Aunt Lana surprised all of us girls with a late Christmas present…a compilation of favorite family recipes!! Now, I had totally forgotten about this when she told us around Christmas that she was working on this little project. Seriously, it couldn’t have come at a better time. I had SO much fun going through all the recipes and you could hear all three of us going “Oh yeah! I love that recipe!” or “Oh my gosh! I’ve always wanted that recipe!”
I’ve already made several of the recipes already and if I hadn’t needed to feed my hungry family before I could get some pics – I would certainly have shared 🙂 This one I made in secret and snapped a few quick pics while the boys were away. As soon as they find out there are marshmallows in here…yeah, it’s not going to last long.
Watergate Salad Can Be Made In Advance
I’m sure this salad looks familiar to some of you and hopefully brings back good memories too! The best part of this recipe is that it uses ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It’s super quick to make and stays good for days so it’s the perfect recipe to make in advance. This is definitely one of those recipes that you’re going to want to double for a crowd. Maybe triple 🙂
Some people ask for watergate salad without pineapple. This is definitely not it! I use the pineapple and it’s juice to dissolve the pudding mix. You can also make watergate salad with cottage cheese. It’s a lot like my Tropical Orange Jello Salad. You can add a cup of cottage cheese to this recipe if you like.
Get Your Fluff On With These Great Dessert Salads
- Pina Colada Fluff
- Cherry Fluff
- Three Minute Easter Fluff
- The BEST Ambrosia Salad
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Fluff
How To Make Watergate Salad
Watergate Salad
Ingredients
- 3.4 oz pistachio Jell-O instant pudding mix
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts your favorite
- 8 oz container Cool Whip I used lite - thawed
Instructions
- Combine pudding mix, pineapple (with juice), marshmallows and nuts in a large bowl and mix well.
- Blend in Cool Whip and chill until ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published August 11, 2013. Updated March 24, 2019.
What are some of your favorite recipes that show up time and again at family functions?
More recipes our family loves:
Fruit Basket Mini Sugar Cookie Pizzas
For all breakfast recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Zelda Halsall says
I’ve made this dessert off & on for over I’d say 30 years or more we can’t always find the pistachio puddings at least not we’re we live they said they weren’t making anymore than one day I was in another city found a couple of boxes then next time I manage to get back not that often they didn’t have any haven’t been able to find last several years than the store moved and changed names to far out to drive to.
Denise says
I change this up a little for something different. No nuts (my son is not a fan). I use vanilla pudding with fruit cocktail & mandarin oranges. And, of course, still add the cool whip & rainbow color mini marshmallows. Still melts in your mouth delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Denise!
Melissa says
I add 24 ounces of cottage cheese in mine.
Karen Anderson says
I found it – thanks!
Peggy Hostetler says
YOUR recipes are fantastic and I thank you so much.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Peggy!
Baker Judy says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’m going to serve it for our New Year’s Day brunch. I have only had it yearly at a friend’s party. People will love it!
Thank you!
Beth says
Don’t like marshmellows? I
Add 1 pound of seedless green grapes, sliced in half … BETTER than marshmallows!
Or add both. This is the way my family enjoys Watergate Salad!
Linda says
I make this with your recipe all the time. This past week I did something a little different, I add Christmas mini marshmallows and put the fluff in a graham cracker crust pie tin. I like the ones that you can purchase already made. My neighbors loved it.
Ivory says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe, because (although I use to make this all the time) I forgot how to make it. Been a long time since I made it. Now thanks to you, I can once again make this over and over for my family. We truly love it! Hope your Thanksgiving was great.
Judy says
Sour cream works great in the pistachio fluff if you don’t have Cool Whip, you might need to add a tablespoon or two of milk if it’s too stiff.
margie says
i would like to thank you trish for sharing the pineapple cake receipe with ee. I made it and it was delicious! everyone loved it! thanks again
Asra says
This sounds delicious, thanks for sharing:)
I don’t eat Marshmallows.Any suggestions what I can replace Marshmallows with?
Your cherry fluff had condensed milk in it. Will it be tastier if I add condensed milk to this as well?
Thanks again:)
Baker Judy says
If you don’t eat marshmallows because of the gelatin/animal products, try the Trader Joe’s min marshmallows. They are vegan. You can find them toward the end of the year.
In the summer, they sell only the large ones, for campfires. Both vegan.
That’s how I was able to make the recipe today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t
Chelsea says
I just made this for our families Easter and it tastes fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Carol says
This salad is even better when you add white cooked rice to it. Have made it like that for years Everyone loves it.