Boil one cup of water in a saucepan. Pour the hot water into a bowl. Add the strawberry Jello powder. Whisk well until the powder fully dissolves and no lumps remain.

Pour one cup of cold water into the dissolved Jello mixture. Stir well to combine everything smoothly. Let the mixture cool slightly at room temperature before adding other ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, add the cottage cheese. Stir it gently with a spatula. Make sure it looks soft and creamy before adding the Jello mixture.

Slowly pour the cooled Jello mixture into the cottage cheese. Stir gently until everything is evenly mixed. The color should look light pink and creamy.

Add the drained crushed pineapple into the bowl. Then add the mini marshmallows. Mix gently so the fruit and marshmallows spread evenly through the salad.

Add the whipped topping to the bowl. Fold it in gently using a spatula. Do not overmix. You want the mixture to stay light and fluffy.

If you like extra crunch, add chopped walnuts. Stir gently to combine. This step is optional but adds nice texture to the salad.

Transfer the mixture into a serving dish. Cover it with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours until fully set and firm.

Once chilled, scoop the salad into bowls. Serve cold for the best taste and texture. Enjoy your Creamy Cottage Cheese Jello Salad Recipe with family and friends.