Our Jello pistachio pudding recipe is an amazing side dish or dessert! Made with instant pudding, pineapple and marshmallows is a cross between our easy ambrosia recipe and Watergate salad with nuts. Served as a fun side during the holidays.
If you’ve ever made our ambrosia recipe you know what a yummy treat that is. If you love pistachio pudding you’ll love this cross between them both I came up with when I wanted to bring something new to Thanksgiving dinner last year. I called it pistachio pudding ambrosia and it was a hit! (affiliate links present)
Green Ambrosia Salad
We serve things like this as a side dish during the holidays and Easter just wasn’t the same without my aunt’s ambrosia salad! Now that I have a family of my own I make it myself and include it on the menu at Christmas too because it reminds me of my childhood. 😉
My sister in law has the same memories but with pistachio pudding so we always ended up with both on the buffet table which was great but I thought….a mixture of a sort of pistachio pudding ambrosia would be amazing I bet….so I set off to try it. This is what it looked like…….
What is pistachio ambrosia salad made of?
Cool Whip or what is called whipped topping (store brand) is the base of the “sauce” to make it creamy which will be combined with the pistachio pudding mix (in a box, Jello makes it) or you can grab some here sold online.
For the fruit element we use crushed pineapple in a can. It is finer and more mashed up than the tidbits but found in the same area. You want it to be smoother with the only “chunks” being the mallows and the mandarin oranges.
Instead of regular sized you want those teeny tiny mini marshmallows for this dessert. Folded into the creaminess will be some shredded sweetened coconut flakes too.
Of course you can get the white mini marshmallows but really, the rainbow ones are just so much prettier. You will want some canned fruit of your choice and you can use your favorite but the classic way is with pineapple. Some also like chopped walnuts like we did with our pumpkin pie dump cake, or actual pistachios inside or on the top too.
If you are a texture person and don’t like to mix crunchy and smooth together, kinda’ like me, you can definitely skip the nuts entirely. The pudding has enough of that flavor in it where you will still get the sense of it you want. Printable recipe instructions are below but here is a quick rundown;
Tips on Making Pistachio Ambrosia
You want to gently fold together everything in every step, start with the whipped topping and pistachio pudding with a whisk until well blended. Empty can of crushed pineapple into this mixture with the other add ins and fold in gently until combined.
This by far is best when refrigerated for at least an hour but you could make it in the morning and serve it in the evening too easily. If you think it is a bit too thick for your liking then add back in some of the drained mandarin orange juice to loosen it up. Sprinkle crushed pistachios or candied pecans on top for garnish, can add a few marshmallows on top too to make pretty + a light sprinkle of coconut.
Pistachio Pudding Ambrosia Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 12 oz whipped topping
- 1 box pistachio pudding mix, instant pudding
- 20 oz pineapple, crushed, with the juice
- 2 c marshmallows, mini, multi colored preferred
- 1/2 c coconut
- 1 c mandarin oranges, drained (keep juice in case you want to thin it out later)
- 1/4 c pistachios, optional, crushed
Instructions
- Fold together whipped topping and pistachio pudding mix until well blended.
- Empty can of crushed pineapple into this mixture and fold in gently until combined.
- Gently fold in mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, and coconut until combined.
- Best when refrigerated for at least an hour but you could make it in the morning and serve it in the evening too easily. If you think it is a bit too thick for your liking then add back in some of the drained mandarin orange juice to loosen it up.
- Sprinkle crushed pistachio nuts on top for garnish, can add a few marshmallows on top too to make pretty + a light sprinkle of coconut.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What can you add to Pistachio Fluff?
There are many substitutions you could make; some like to add chopped walnuts into the mix for added texture. If you aren’t a fan of pineapple you could use other canned fruits that have been crushed instead.
FAQ
Ambrosia and Watergate salad are not the same thing, though they are both popular American desserts that often appear at potlucks and holiday gatherings. One may be referred to the other as they look similar however Watergate is green vs. white with a pistachio flavor and no coconut.
There is an apple variety with this name but typically this term refers to a mixture of canned fruits, coconut, marshmallows and sour cream. Sat in the fridge it thickens to a sweet dish normally served during Thanksgiving and Christmas time.
Can I make this a day ahead?
Always a great dessert. This has been a family favorite for the last 40 years+ minus the mandarin oranges though. We’ve never made it that way but def will have to try.
Hi,
Looks great but one question, you don’t need to make the pudding first, you just dump the pudding mix in with the cool whip?
Exactly, you do not make the pudding according to the package.
Correct, do not make pudding according to directions.