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square image of watergate salad in a dessert dish topped with whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry
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4.53 from 19 votes

Watergate Salad Recipe

This easy Watergate Salad recipe is sweet, creamy, and loaded with pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, walnuts, cherries, and whipped topping.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword pistachio fluff, watergate salad
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 283kcal
Author Aubrey

Equipment

Ingredients

Garnishes

Instructions

  • Stir together 20 ounces crushed pineapple (undrained) with 3.4 ounces instant pistachio pudding mix until smooth and creamy.
    crushed pineapple, juice, and pistachio pudding mix in a mixing bowl
  • Mix in 1 cup mini marshmallows, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and ½ cup maraschino cherries.
    chopped walnuts, mini marshmallows, and chopped cherries added to a mixing bowl with pistachio pineapple mixture
  • Fold in 1 ½ cups whipped topping until just combined and no white streaks remain.
    cool whip added to a mixing bowl with watergate salad base
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
    watergate salad in a glass bowl after chilling
  • Top with a dollop of whipped topping, chopped walnuts, and a maraschino cherry for serving.
    side view of watergate salad in a dessert dish topped with whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry

Notes

  • Be sure to use instant pistachio pudding mix, not cook-and-serve pudding.
  • Do not drain the pineapple. The juice replaces the milk normally used to prepare the pudding mix.
  • Walnuts can be swapped for chopped pecans or pistachios.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0.4mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 73IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
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