Description

Pioneer Woman Frog Eye Salad is a sweet and creamy pasta salad featuring acini di pepe pasta combined with a pineapple-flavored custard, assorted canned fruits, whipped topping, marshmallows, and shredded coconut. This refreshing and unique dessert salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings, offering a delightful blend of textures and tropical flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Mixture

1 ¾ cups unsweetened pineapple juice
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pasta

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 ½ teaspoons salt, divided
1 (16-ounce) package acini di pepe pasta

Fruit and Mix-ins

3 (11-ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

Prepare custard mixture: Combine the pineapple juice, white sugar, beaten eggs, flour, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a medium saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until it thickens to a custard-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Allow the custard to cool for about 60 minutes.
Cook the pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons of salt to the boiling water. Add the acini di pepe pasta and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, the cooled custard mixture, drained mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, crushed pineapple, and thawed whipped topping. Stir thoroughly to blend all components evenly.
Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 8 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to set properly.
Final touches: Just before serving, gently fold in the miniature marshmallows and shredded coconut. Stir carefully to distribute them uniformly throughout the salad. Serve chilled.

Notes

To prevent the pasta from clumping, be sure to rinse it under cold water immediately after cooking.
Ensure the custard mixture is fully cooled before mixing with the other ingredients to avoid melting the whipped topping.
This salad is best served chilled and can be made a day ahead for enhanced flavor.
Acini di pepe pasta is a tiny, bead-like pasta that mimics the shape and texture perfect for this salad; substitute only with a similar small-sized pasta if unavailable.
For best results, drain canned fruits thoroughly to avoid excess liquid in the salad.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Frog Eye Salad, Pioneer Woman recipe, pineapple pasta salad, dessert salad, acini di pepe salad, sweet pasta salad