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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Patti says
I love this recipe, but I use two cups of marshmallows because I REALLY love marshmallows. This is a great summer dessert.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Can’t go wrong with more marshmallows!
Melinda says
This was amazing! Best of all so easy to make! Thanks for sharing!
Sylvia says
I’ve made this pistachio fluff a few times a great hit at our family gatherings!!! Everyone loves it!!!
Janet says
I leave out the cool whip and marshmallows and use a 32 ounce container of low fat vanilla yogurt. It makes it a little healthier
Ginni says
This was really good, but I think it needed a little more marshmallows. But this is just my opinion. 😝
Colleen says
A childhood favorite!! Will be making this for the next church supper. This is a great salad,exceedingly kid friendly. Thank -you !!
Angie says
This is my favorite Christmas dish! Thank you for the recipe.
Melissa Coleman says
I use pineapple tidbits instead of crushed (a happy accident one day time when grabbed wrong can!) & I swear it’s so much better- in fact Im debating on even sharing my secret!!!lol
Nancy says
I made this and it was a big hit! Only change I made was, using heavy whipping cream with a pinch of cream of tarter in it, instead of the cool whip! Thanks for a great recipe!!!
Petie S. says
Love this for the holidays. Make as above but add a cup of halved marishino cherries to it. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly says
I add cream cheese, bananas, and hazelnuts in addition to the recipe. Yum, Yum!
Lauren says
This recipe made a very pregnant woman happy!!
Dianna says
I make this dessert or salad every Thanks giving Christmas and Easter. My son loves this salad as well as my daughter in law but I have done some adding as well all the same ingredients but add the moschino cherries and it makes a colorful display for any holiday plus I also use the colored marshmallows or if I can I try to find the Christmas tree shaped marshmallows for added fun but either way there is never any left by the end of the day and I’m being asked to make more
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.
Angela G Jones says
I actually just bought some at Publix. I’ve seen it at Walmart also.. hope this helps
Judy says
I’d like to know if you still need to add milk to the pistachio pudding or not?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You do not which is why milk isn’t listed in the ingredients or instructions. Hope that helps!
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!
Anna says
That’s a whole different salad .