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Pineapple casserole is both sweet and salty, a side dish with something for everyone. Give this southern dish a try!
We’ve made some unique casseroles in the past like our Dorito Casserole or Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, but this pineapple casserole definitely takes the cake!
Pineapple + Cheese – It’s a Thing!
You’re probably wondering…what is pineapple casserole?
It’s a common Southern casserole, especially for Easter and spring. I decided to give it a try. I love combining sweet and salty flavors and this recipe definitely does that.
Give it a try if you’re wanting a new and different recipe! It makes a yummy side dish or dessert!
At first glance, this recipe might sound REALLY weird, but it actually tastes similar to a pineapple cobbler! My kids really liked the cracker topping. And it was definitely very easy and quick to make.
A Quick Side Dish
This pineapple cheese casserole can serve as either a tasty side or a sweet dessert!
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F, grease a medium-sized casserole dish, and set it aside.
PINAPPLE MIXTURE. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, and cheddar cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and mix everything together.
Pour the pineapple mixture into the casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
TOPPING. In a medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 6 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice.
Spoon the mixture over the top of the pineapple, spreading evenly.
BAKE. Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes. When it’s done it should be golden brown on top.
Recipe Tip
Baked pineapple casserole only requires a few ingredients, use these tips to make them perfect!
Cheese. Stick to cheddar, it‘s what really makes this pineapple casserole dish work. Stay away from the pre-shredded bags which have a flour coating that doesn’t always melt well.
Instead, buy a block of cheddar cheese and grate some up for this casserole.
Crackers. Use a salty butter cracker like the Ritz brand. You will need about 40 Ritz crackers to equal 1 cup of crushed crackers.
Pineapple. I have not used fresh-cut pineapple to make this and you would need to cook the pineapple in some way to sweeten and soften it as well as produce pineapple juice before using it in the recipe.
- To ensure you get the desired result I would recommend sticking with the canned pineapple.
- To get a texture variation use a 20 oz can of crushed pineapple and a 20 oz can up pineapple chunks.
Serving suggestions
This unique pineapple ritz cracker casserole is most often served as a side dish to Thanksgiving Turkey, Easter Ham, or summertime Ribs.
It can also be served as a stand-alone dessert. Make easy pineapple casserole a sweet dessert by topping the casserole with coconut flakes and chopped pecans before baking it. Top each slice with a dollop of Whipped Cream.
Storing Tips
Make ahead of time. To mix up the pineapple cheese filling ahead of time, simply spread it in the baking dish, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to a day beforehand. Sprinkle the crushed crackers on right before baking.
STORE. Cover and store the pineapple casserole recipe in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
FREEZE leftovers for up to 2 months. Be sure to use a freezer-safe airtight container.
To reheat, thaw first. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Place leftover southern pineapple casserole in an oven-safe dish tent with foil and heat for about 10 minutes, or until hot.
Recipe FAQ
Casseroles became popular during the early 1900s. Pineapple casserole popped up in the 1950s in the American south and continues to be a treasured dish.
Pineapple pairs well with cheddar cheese, blue cheese, manchego, swiss, and parmesan. When making pineapple casserole stick to sharp cheddar cheese.
Acidic ingredients found in tomatoes and citrus can react to metal pans and infuse a metallic taste into the food. Casseroles made with acidic ingredients should be baked in glass or ceramic baking dishes.
For more Pineapple recipes, check out:
Pineapple Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 20 ounce cans pineapple chunks drained, and juice reserved
- 1 cup crushed cracker crumbs
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a medium casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, and cheddar cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and mix to combine. Pour the pineapple mixture into the casserole dish, spreading evenly.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 6 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice. Spoon the mixture over the top of the pineapple, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown on top.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The pineapple lovers in my house were so happy with this dish! I would have never thought to try cheddar and pineapple together, but it sure is a winning combination!
I had never heard of this recipe and to be honest was a little skeptical. My daughter wanted to try it though and I was very pleasantly surprised! Will definitely be making again.
So glad to hear you enjoyed the casserole! Thanks for giving it a try!
This recipe was a first for me. Love how easy it is to make! This would be great for potluck dinners.
Yes, it definitely would be!
Pineapple and Cheese DOESN’T sound that great, but the flavors come together really well.
A great combination of flaVors!
I love the texture and flavor of this. The sweet with the salty is perfection in my opinion!
What a sweet & savory casserole! Love the combination! This will be a hit at the holidays!
I can get used to this kind of casserole! Who would have thought that pineapple & cheese would go so well together!
what a fun recipe, savory pineapple dish that isn’t a ham