Description
Frog Eye Salad is a delightful and creamy pasta-based dessert salad featuring acini di pepe pasta mixed with a medley of sweet fruits, marshmallows, and whipped topping. Perfect for potlucks and holiday gatherings, this refreshing dish combines tropical pineapple, mandarin oranges, and optional coconut and cherries for a unique and nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 cup acini di pepe pasta
Fruit & Toppings
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges (drained)
- 1 can (8 oz) pineapple tidbits (drained)
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (optional)
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries (halved, optional)
Mix & Dressing
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the acini di pepe pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, and set aside to cool completely.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Stir in the beaten egg along with the reserved juice from the crushed pineapple. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Lemon Juice and Cool: Remove the thickened mixture from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Allow it to cool to room temperature to prevent curdling in the final salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled pasta, crushed pineapple, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, and the cooled egg mixture until evenly blended.
- Fold in Final Ingredients: Carefully fold in the whipped topping, mini marshmallows, shredded sweetened coconut (if using), and maraschino cherries (if using) to keep the salad light and fluffy.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the salad set before serving.
Notes
- This sweet, creamy salad is perfect for potlucks, holiday meals, and summer gatherings.
- For a lighter version, substitute light whipped topping and use reduced-sugar canned fruit.
- Adjust marshmallow and cherry quantities according to your personal taste preferences.
- Ensure to cool the thickening mixture before combining with other ingredients to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Acini di pepe pasta is key for the signature ‘frog eye’ texture in this salad; avoid substituting with larger pasta shapes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
