This highly popular southern Pineapple Casserole is made with sweet pineapple, tasty cheddar cheese and buttery cracker crumbs. This amazingly easy and scrumptious dish is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. I love to serve this with Oven Baked Ribs or Ham Steak with Honey Mustard Glaze.
This delectable casserole is a friend and family favorite and once you try it you will understand exactly why. I know what you are thinking! How good could pineapple, cheddar cheese, flour and buttered crackers taste together. What an odd combination. Well let me tell you it is the best! It only takes about ten minutes to prep and it will knock your socks off. Quite literally!! Take it to the next family gathering and watch it disappear. It is just that good.
How do you make Pineapple Casserole?
Start by draining the pineapple well. Next whisk together the flour and sugar. Now add the pineapple and both cheddar cheeses. I like to use a combination of sharp cheddar and white cheddar but you could use either or. Next spoon the pineapple mixture into a greased casserole dish.
Now combine the crushed crackers with the melted butter and sprinkle on the top of the dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cracker crumbs are golden brown. Finally serve promptly as this dish is best served hot while the cheese is melted and it is heated through.
Can I use fresh pineapple in this recipe?
I do not recommend using fresh pineapple as it is not always as sweet as canned pineapple. The texture of fresh pineapple is a little stiffer as there is some heat involved in the canning process that softens the pineapple. Canned pineapple is also considerably juicier. Normally I like to use the freshest ingredients possible but for this Pineapple Casserole recipe, canned pineapple works best. Trust me on this one.
Recipe add-ins
- 2/3 cup chopped roasted pecans or walnuts
- 2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup halved maraschino cherries
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- Any combination of the above
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- This tasty casserole dish is delicious both as a side and a dessert.
- Grease the casserole dish for easier clean up
- Drain as much of the juice off the crushed pineapple and pineapple tidbits as possible. I drain mine into a glass so my son can enjoy the pineapple juice.
- Canned pineapple is best for this Pineapple Casserole recipe. I use the pineapple packed in its own juice.
- Preheat the oven and bake 30-40 minutes or until the cracker crumbs are golden brown and the casserole is heated through with the cheese melted.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to four days, It can be reheated in the microwave or cover with aluminum foil and heat at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.
More pineapple recipes you will love!!
- Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
- Perfectly Grilled Pineapple
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Pineapple Margaritas
- Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pineapple Casserole
This traditional southern Pineapple Casserole recipe brings canned pineapple, flour, cheddar cheese, butter and crushed crackers together in a mouthwatering dish that can serve as a side or a dessert. It is the perfect side for your Easter ham.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: side dish
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits drained (see notes)
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple drained (see notes)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 40–50 Ritz crackers crushed (or other buttery crackers)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch square or 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
- Whisk together flour and sugar together. Stir in the pineapple and cheddar cheese. Spoon the contents into a prepared casserole dish.
- Combine the melted butter and crushed crackers. Sprinkle on the top of the dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cracker crumbs are golden brown and the casserole is heated through. Serve promptly.
Notes
- This tasty dish is delicious both as a side and a dessert.
- Grease the casserole dish for easier clean up
- Drain as much of the juice off the crushed pineapple and pineapple tidbits as possible. I drain mine into a glass so my son can enjoy the pineapple juice.
- Canned pineapple is best for this recipe. I use the pineapple packed in its own juice.
- Preheat the oven and bake 30-40 minutes or until the cracker crumbs are golden brown and the casserole is heated through with the cheese melted.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to four days, It can be reheated in the microwave or cover with aluminum foil and heat at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.
Keywords: pineapple cheese casserole, baked pineapple casserole, pineapple casserole with Ritz crackers, pineapple casserole recipe, pineapple dish, pineapple dessert, pineapple recipe, how to make pineapple casserole
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This post was originally published May 11, 2020 and was republished March 3, 2021 with new pictures and content.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Tina Wilson
Should I use salted or unsalted butter? Planning to make this for a family dinner soon!
Beth Pierce
Unsalted butter please.
Cindy W
The pineapple and cheese bit were good, but there were FAR too many cracker crumbs on top and too little butter in the crumb mixture to make a crust. We wound up with a loose cracker crumb mixture. I may try it again, but with half the amount of crackers, but the same amount of butter.
★★★
Norm
It reminds me of Mock Apple Pie that is very simiilar and uses Ritz Crqckers too. Has anybody used peaches and cinnamon?
Beth
Would I add maraschino cherries to the pineapple cheese mixture?
Walnuts to the buttered cracker topping?
Beth Pierce
I have never tried either so I am unsure of the taste.
Susan
Can I make this ahead and add the toppings just before baking?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.
Clo
Hi, looking forward to making this. You mention optional coconut add in. Do you suggest in the pineapple mixture or if n the cracker topping? Thank you. Cindy
Beth Pierce
In the pineapple mixture. Happy cooking!
Jennifer P
Delicious! Can leftovers be frozen?
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it. You can but the texture will change. The cracker topping will get kind of soggy1
Tara
Such a fun combination of flavors in this pineapple casserole! Love the contrast in texture with the crumbly topping too. Yum!
★★★★★
Tavo
the recipe was delicious! We added walnuts and it was a great combination!
★★★★★
Andrea
Oh does this casserole bring back memories. It looks and sounds perfect!!! Will be making ASAP!
★★★★★
Biana
This casserole looks great! A great side dish for the holidays.
★★★★★
Jenn
I’m a huge pineapple fan (my fav!!) so when I saw this, I had to make it! I loved it! The sweet and savory flavors pair so nicely together. Hubby wants to know when I’m making it again!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
We love it too! It is amazing that those flavors pair so well together! So glad that you liked it.
Colleen
I must admit I was sceptical, but I made it because it seemed so simple, which it was, but also it was delicious! Everyone loved it and I will make it again! Thank you!
★★★★★
Emily Liao
Everyone loved this pineapple casserole! So easy, and a fun way to enjoy pineapple season 🙂
★★★★★
Cathleen
This recipe is so perfect for the summer! I have never heard of anyone doing a pineapple casserole, but I am sure I am going to go insane over this recipe because I love pineapple so much! Thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Sharon
This recipe is sweet, savory, and so cheesy. If you make this, it will disappear fast!
★★★★★
Natasha
This pineapple casserole recipe is a hit! My family loved it and said that they want another batch again soon. Thank you for sharing another awesome recipe.
★★★★★
Betsy Carney
My kids love pineapple and this was a huge hit! Love this recipe!
★★★★★
Toni
Such a really amazing dessert! Always a hit at my house!
★★★★★
Jenny
This is one of those weird-but-amazingly good combos!
I used to take care of an old couple and this was a big favorite- Karl and Winnie P.- Ithink of them all the time! This is why I love recipes and foods!
Beth Pierce
I agree! Food can be so nostalgic and bring back such wonderful memories.
Beth Sachs
I love cheese and pineapple combo so this sounds like heaven to me!
★★★★★
Soniya
Wow.. this pineapple casserole looks amazing! Can’t wait to make it over the weekend
Jenn
We are pineapple freaks here so I had to try this dish. I was amazed at how good it was, and those crackers on top? Deeelish!
★★★★★
Erica
Such a fun twist, thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Maria
This is a super creative use of pineapple! I love how you photographed the final dish too!
★★★★★
Jill
This casserole sounds both sweet and savory, which is my favorite combination. Pinning to try.
★★★★★
Kellie H
One of our favorite recipes for the holidays….we’ve been making this one for years. Love your version, it’s so easy!
★★★★★
Julia
It tastes like a pineapple crisp with a savoury twist and I love crisps!! Such a good idea.
★★★★★
Toni Dash
Everyone at my house really loved it! So delish and easy to make!
★★★★★
Christine Krantz
I have made this for years !! One of my favorites… however my recipe only has one can of pineapple tidbits instead of the two cans of two kinds !!
★★★★★
Laura Reese
I love that I had everything I needed to make this. The flavor was so delicious. Reminds me of my Grandma.
★★★★★
Anita
Wow. This casserole is so good, and it’s unbelievably easy to prepare with common pantry ingredients too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
★★★★★
Lily
What a creative idea, I can not wait to make this as a dessert. It sounds like it has the perfect balance between crunchy and sweet. Thanks for a wonderful idea.
★★★★★