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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Stacy B says
Love this. I double my cool whip and marshmallows and add pineapple tidbits and jar of cherries.
OGrandma says
This recipe was incredibly easy and absolutely delicious. I tossed in a handful of roasted unsalted pistachios which added a nice crunch without changing the flavor profile like walnuts or pecans might. It was devoured at my St. Patrick’s Day feast. Next time I will double the recipe so I can save some back for myself to eat the day after. This recipe is not just for St. Patrick’s Day either, I will make it year round!
Thomas Dolan says
Here i am in 2025 trying to recreate recipes from my past. My mom couldn’t stand fruit cocktail salad. So she found this on a jello box in the 70s. Instant hit. She passed 2 years ago and im trying to recreate her recipes. This one and her shrimp salad. Thanks for having this here. I’m crying writing this. She would love you!
Sandy says
Will not use Cool Whip ever. 3 cups of stabilized heavy whipped cream worked perfectly! I used a 1 pint carton and had a little left over. That went onto leftover pumpkin pie the next day! 😋 Also used 1/2 cup of chopped roasted pistachios (unsalted). Such a great salad of yesteryear. Thank you, Trish!
Marilyn Reed says
True! It is so yummy! I could eat the whole bowl
Barb says
I call this funeral salad because I keep the ingredients on hand and it is super quick to fix. I also add cottage cheese and Lea other marshmallows out( I don’t like them).
Nannette Lackey says
I have made Watergate Salad for years. Mixing the crushed pineapple and the pistachio pudding together first. Then adding the red ingredients. I use colored mini marshmallows for more festive colors . Also add about a cup of maraschino cherries. Sprinkle colored marshmallows on top and a couple of Maraschino cherries 🍒 in the center for decoration.
Myrna Davis says
Would like all the recipes to print! Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Myrna! If you’re coming from Facebook, there is definitely an issue right now with that (hoping it gets resolved soon!) but many have found that just opening the link in another browser fixes the problem. Chrome, safari, anything besides the facebook browser.
Dorothy says
Awesome
Kris says
You don’t make the pudding with milk?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No milk, just the dry mix.