Description
Frog Eye Salad is a delightful, creamy fruit pasta salad featuring acini di pepe pasta combined with tropical fruits, mini marshmallows, and a luscious pineapple dressing. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a refreshing dessert, this sweet and tangy salad offers a unique texture and vibrant flavors that are sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 cup acini di pepe pasta
Dressing
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Fruit and Mix-ins
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup whipped topping (or heavy cream, whipped)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the acini di pepe pasta in a medium saucepan according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- Prepare Dressing Mixture: In the same saucepan, combine granulated sugar, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
- Cook Dressing: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until it thickens and starts to bubble, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, drained crushed pineapple, drained mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut if using. Gently mix these ingredients together.
- Incorporate Whipped Topping: Once the pineapple dressing mixture is completely cooled, fold in the whipped topping gently until the dressing is fully incorporated and creamy.
- Mix Salad: Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta and fruit mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set before serving.
Notes
- For the whipped topping, you can use store-bought whipped topping or freshly whipped heavy cream, depending on your preference.
- Draining the canned fruit well is important to avoid a watery salad.
- The shredded coconut is optional but adds a nice texture and flavor contrast.
- This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best freshness.
- Ensure the pineapple dressing mixture is fully cooled before folding in whipped topping to prevent it from melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Dessert
- Method: Boiling, Mixing, Refrigerating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Frog Eye Salad, Acini di Pepe Salad, Fruit Pasta Salad, Pineapple Salad, Creamy Fruit Salad, Marshmallow Salad, Summer Salad