
Lime gelatin with cream cheese and crushed pineapple
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
0 min
Total Time
4 hr 15 min
Servings
10
1 mold
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Lime gelatin with cream cheese and crushed pineapple
A vintage molded Jello salad with lime gelatin, cream cheese, crushed pineapple, and pecans. A retro potluck classic that's surprisingly delicious.
15m
Prep Time
0m
Cook Time
255m
Total Time
10
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
(Updated )
Jello salads were the crown jewel of mid-century American potlucks and they're making a comeback. This lime-cream cheese version strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy.
Test Kitchen Pick
Chef Knife
Helpful Tool
When the recipe is mostly prep, the tool that matters most is the one doing the cutting. A sharp chef’s knife makes the whole process faster and cleaner.
This recipe is won or lost in prep speed and cleaner cuts.
A good chef’s knife is still the single most useful kitchen upgrade for prep-heavy cooking.
Shop chef knife options for this recipeDissolve both packages of lime Jello in 2 cups boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually whisk in the warm Jello mixture.
Stir in undrained crushed pineapple, pecans, and marshmallows.
Pour into a lightly greased mold or 9x13 dish. Refrigerate at least 4 hours until firmly set.
To unmold, dip the mold briefly in warm water and invert onto a serving plate. Slice and serve chilled.
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Best enjoyed fresh -- prepare the dressing separately if making ahead
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Match the flavor to your mix-ins for best results
A lighter option with similar creaminess
Test Kitchen Pick
Vanilla Extract
Helpful Pantry Staple
For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.
This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.
Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.
Shop vanilla extract for this recipeSpray the mold with cooking spray before filling for easy release.
Let the Jello cool to room temperature before adding marshmallows so they don't melt completely.
Refrigerate covered up to 5 days. Do not freeze.
Serve cold straight from the refrigerator.
Per serving (20mg) · 10 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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