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–+ servings
Handwritten recipe for Lands Cheese Salad
Lands Cheese Salad is a vintage American gelatin salad that harkens back to mid-20th-century cuisine, particularly popular in the 1950s and 1960s. During that era, gelatin-based dishes gained widespread popularity due to their colorful presentation and ability to combine sweet and savory flavors in unique ways. This dish, combining lemon jello, cheese, pineapple, and cream, may seem unusual today but reflects a time of culinary creativity in American households. Often served at potlucks, church dinners, or festive luncheons, it's a nostalgic bite of retro Americana. The salad is topped with a dollop of mayonnaise and presented on crisp lettuce, offering a rich contrast of textures and flavors.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 307 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box lemon jello
  • 1 pint water
  • ½ lb cheese (grated)
  • 8.25 oz crushed pineapple (small can, drained)
  • ½ cup cream (whipped)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • lettuce leaves
  • mayonnaise (for serving)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Jello Base

  • Dissolve the lemon jello in 1 pint of boiling water.
  • Let it sit at room temperature until it begins to thicken (about 30–45 minutes).

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

  • Once the jello starts to set but is not fully firm, whip it lightly.
  • Gently fold in the whipped cream, drained crushed pineapple, grated cheese, and sugar.

Step 3: Chill

  • Pour the mixture into a mold or serving dish.
  • Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours until fully set.

Step 4: Serve

  • Scoop or slice the set salad and place it on lettuce leaves.
  • Top with a small spoonful of mayonnaise for a creamy finish.

Tips

  • Tip: Use freshly whipped cream for the best texture, or substitute with whipped topping for convenience.
  • Variation: Add chopped nuts for extra crunch.
  • Variation: Swap lemon jello with lime or orange for a twist.
  • Presentation Tip: Use a vintage gelatin mold for an authentic retro look.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 11gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 323mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 690IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 289mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword jell-O
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