Holiday Ambrosia Salad

Name: Holiday Ambrosia Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 8 h 30 min
Yield: 16 Servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces uncooked orzo pasta; ¾ cup white sugar; 2 large eggs eggs, beaten; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 (8 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved; 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained; 1 cup shredded coconut; 4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

Rating: 4.44 stars

18 Ratings
16 Reviews
1 Photo

My Mom would make this every Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it has been a family favorite for three generations. The dressing is gently cooked, and the salad so light you can serve it anytime.

By Dad

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Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

15 mins

additional:

8 hrs

total:

8 hrs 30 mins

Servings:

Yield:

16 Servings

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 16 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

8 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
¾ cup white sugar
2 large eggs eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 (8 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained
1 cup shredded coconut
4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain, transfer to a large bowl, and cool.

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Step 2

Whisk the sugar, eggs, flour, salt, and reserved pineapple juice together in a saucepan until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Pour over cooled pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours.
Step 3

Stir the pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges into the pasta mixture. Mix in the coconut if desired. Stir in the frozen whipped topping until evenly blended. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

205 calories; protein 3.4g; carbohydrates 33.7g; fat 6.9g; cholesterol 23.3mg; sodium 101.2mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (16)

Most helpful positive review

wakipan

07/17/2008

Fantastic recipe! I used light frozen whipped cream instead and also only let it sit with the pineapple juice mixture for about 6 hours. It turned out great! I love the texture of the orzo pasta in it and that it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet. Read More

Helpful

(13)

Most helpful critical review

Kimmy A

12/31/2008

Let me start by saying that I have never made an Ambrosia salad before and this receipe sounded good. I was easy to make tasted OK but I think that my family & I were "thrown" by the texture of the pasta in the salad. I reminded me of tapioca and I hate tapioca. I didn't dislike this in fact the leftovers (alot) are good but I don't think I'll make it again. Read More

Helpful

(4)

18 Ratings

5 star values: 13
4 star values: 2
3 star values: 2
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

wakipan

07/17/2008

Helpful

(13)

Barbara

09/22/2009

Ok I opps'ed I bought the crushed pineapple instead of chunks. It still worked out well. Instead of trying to drain the juice out I just added the pineapple to the pot too. I have had a variation of this salad with the pineapple chunks and I think I like it better with the crushed. What a great mistake this was. I also missed the part about letting it sit for 8 hours or overnight. I needed it in a couple of hours. If was just as good. I did make sure it was cold before completing with the mandarin oranges and whipped topping. This was absolutly the best. Read More

Helpful

(9)

Melissa

11/28/2009

I use acini pasta in this. It is wonderful but Acini is hard to find in my area so this year i am going to try Tapioca pasta balls. Wish me luck i am sure it will be fine but we will see. Happy Thanksgivign all. Read More

Helpful

(5)

Susan Reeves Kleist

02/02/2011

Made this for Christmas and everyone loved it! I really liked the different textures and the orzo added more depth to the dish. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Kimmy A

12/30/2008

Helpful

(4)

Robin Wilkins

06/22/2009

Delish. I made this w/o the coconut & there were no leftovers from a company potluck. I might add more mandarin oranges next time but otherwise quite fab. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Barbara A. Glick-Bloominger

06/24/2008

This is SO delicious and my lunch guest LOVED it as well. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Shannon

01/16/2008

Very easy to make and was a hit at a potluck! Read More

Helpful

(3)

Mercymelms

01/03/2011

Real popular with my guests at christmas. I had to give it away cause one of them loved it soo much! I think its pretty good but it was a little weird eating pasta in there lol. I might leave the flavor of the cooked sauce out and try it to see what its like with just pasta. Overall a big creative hit. Thank you! Read More

Helpful

(3)

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All Reviews for Holiday Ambrosia Salad

- of Reviews

Holiday Ambrosia Salad

Servings Per Recipe: 16
Calories: 205.2

% Daily Value *

protein: 7 %

carbohydrates: 11 %

dietary fiber: 5 %

sugars:

fat: 11 %

saturated fat: 28 %

cholesterol: 8 %

vitamin a iu: 5 %

niacin equivalents: 10 %

vitamin c: 16 %

folate: 9 %

calcium: 1 %

iron: 5 %

magnesium: 6 %

potassium: 3 %

sodium: 4 %

thiamin: 6 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Holiday Ambrosia Salad

1 of 16

All Reviews

wakipan

07/17/2008

Helpful

(13)

Barbara

09/22/2009

Helpful

(9)

Melissa

11/28/2009

Helpful

(5)

Susan Reeves Kleist

02/02/2011

Made this for Christmas and everyone loved it! I really liked the different textures and the orzo added more depth to the dish.

Helpful

(4)

Kimmy A

12/30/2008

Helpful

(4)

Robin Wilkins

06/22/2009

Delish. I made this w/o the coconut & there were no leftovers from a company potluck. I might add more mandarin oranges next time but otherwise quite fab.

Helpful

(4)

Barbara A. Glick-Bloominger

06/24/2008

This is SO delicious and my lunch guest LOVED it as well.

Helpful

(4)

Shannon

01/16/2008

Very easy to make and was a hit at a potluck!

Helpful

(3)

Mercymelms

01/03/2011

Helpful

(3)

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Holiday Ambrosia Salad

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Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (16)

Most helpful positive review

Most helpful critical review

All Reviews for Holiday Ambrosia Salad

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Holiday Ambrosia Salad

Gallery

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (16)

Most helpful positive review

Most helpful critical review

All Reviews for Holiday Ambrosia Salad