Easy Cheesy Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe

ByJane Chapman
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This pineapple casserole recipe is so easy and delicious you’ll be making it again and again! Tender, juicy pineapple pairs perfectly with the creamy casserole base for a delicious side dish topped with buttery Ritz crackers. It’s easy to transport, which makes it the perfect dish for a potluck or family gathering, and it is always a real hit with everyone.

Someone serving a portion of pineapple casserole.

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The first time I served this to my family, they turned their noses up at it, but I made them all try a little bit, and now it’s a firm family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Cheese Casserole Recipe

  • Surprise Factor: Pineapple casserole takes an unexpected twist, transforming the familiar fruit into a savory delight that grabs attention at the table.
  • Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this dish is approachable for cooks of all skill levels.
  • Potluck Hero: Bring this to a potluck and watch it vanish. You’ll be the legend who brought “that amazing pineapple thing.”
  • Ahead of the Game: Make it in the morning bake it at night. This dish is cool hanging out in the fridge until you’re ready.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below for this pineapple bake.

Ingredients needed, granulated sugar, canned pineapple. pineapple juice, all purpose flour, melted butter, Ritz crackers, and shredded cheese.

Sweet pineapple with buttery crushed Ritz crackers giving a satisfying crunch makes this casserole one of our family favorites!

How To Make Pineapple Casserole With Ritz Crackers With Step-By-Step Instructions

Making our easy pineapple casserole recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C.

Completely drain your cans, pineapple chunks, and pineapple tidbits, and save ¼ cup of the pineapple juice.

A bowl with sugar and flour in it.
Combine sugar and flour.
Pouring reserved pineapple juice on top of pineapple chunks.
Add pineapple chunks, tidbits, and reserved juice.
Shredded cheese added to the pineapple in a bowl.
Add shredded cheese and mix to combine.

In a large bowl, combine sugar (you can use brown sugar if you prefer), flour, pineapple chunks, pineapple tidbits, the reserved pineapple juice, and shredded cheddar cheese,

Then, transfer the pineapple mixture to your prepared casserole dish, ensuring it covers the dish in an even layer.

02/18/2024 06:30 pm GMT
Pineapple mixture added to a casserole dish.
Add the pineapple mixture to a casserole dish.
Ritz cracker crumbs mixed with melted butter.
Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.

In a medium bowl, add Ritz crackers, crush them up, and pour melted butter; stir to coat the cracker crumbs with butter fully.

Pineapple casserole before it's baked.
Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the pineapple layer.
Baked pineapple casserole with a golden brown cracker topping.
Bake until golden brown, approximately 30 – 35 minutes.

Sprinkle the buttery crackers over the top of your pineapple mixture and cook until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly approximately 30 – 35 minutes.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and serve immediately – enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

  • Quality Counts: We’ve used canned pineapple for speed, but if you can start with fresh pineapples, it elevates the flavor game.
  • Cheese Matters: Go for a high-quality cheddar; it’s not just a garnish but a star ingredient here.
  • Test Your Sugar: Taste your pineapple first. If it’s super sweet, you might want to cut back on added sugar.
  • Mix Well: Ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined for an even flavor profile throughout.
  • Preheat and Prep: Always preheat your oven and grease your casserole dish to avoid any sticking.
  • Let It Sit: Give it a few minutes to set after you take it out of the oven for easier serving.
A serving spoon in a dish of pineapple casserole.

Can You Make Pineapple Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make it the day before.

Just follow the recipe until the point of baking, cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge. Make the Ritz cracker topping and store it at room temperature.

Then, the following day, add the cracker crumbs and bake.

Can you freeze pineapple casserole?

Yes, it’s possible to freeze pineapple casserole for up to 3 months. However, we recommend freezing it without the cracker crumbs topping, as when it defrosts, it will become soggy.

Can I use fresh pineapple in this casserole recipe?

Canned pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple works best for this southern pineapple casserole recipe; it’s much sweeter than fresh pineapple and comes in its own juice, which you’ll also need.

How To Store Leftovers

Store leftover baked pineapple with Ritz crackers, covered in the fridge for up to 3 days; the crackers won’t be as crispy as freshly cooked.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and reheat at 350°F/180°C for 10 – 15 minutes.

A casserole dish with casserole made with pineapple with a portion missing.

What To Serve Pineapple Casserole With

We love to serve it with our delicious vegan holiday ham, nut roast, or mushroom wellington.

More Easy Casserole Recipes for You To Try at Home

If you love our baked pineapple casserole, why not try these easy recipes?

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Baked pineapple casserole being served.
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5 from 107 votes

Easy Cheesy Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe

This pineapple casserole recipe is so good, you'll be hooked after the first bite! The sweetness of the pineapple pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the casserole, and it's sure to become a family favorite. You can have it as a side dish or a dessert. Why not bake it tonight?
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings8
Calories381
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste

Utensils

1 Medium casserole dish

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Pineapple canned chunks drained reserve 1/4 cup juice
  • 16 oz Pineapple canned tidbits drained
  • 5 tbsp All purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese shredded
  • 32 Ritz crackers crushed
  • ½ cup Butter melted
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Pre heat your oven to 350°F/180°C.
  • Completely drain the pineapple chunks and tidbits and save ¼ cup of the juice.
    16 oz Pineapple canned chunks, 16 oz Pineapple canned tidbits
  • In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, pineapple chunks, pineapple tidbits, reserved pineapple juice and cheese. Now add the pineapple mixture to your prepared casserole dish.
    5 tbsp All purpose flour, 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese
  • In a smaller bowl add the crushed Ritz crackers and pour in the melted butter. Now sprinkle the Ritz cracker crumbs over the top of your pineapple mixture.
    32 Ritz crackers, ½ cup Butter
  • Cook until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly approximately 30- 35 minutes. Serve immediately. Bon Appétit!

Notes

  • Quality Counts: We’ve used canned pineapple for speed, but if you can start with fresh pineapples, it elevates the flavor game.
  • Cheese Matters: Go for a high-quality cheddar; it’s not just a garnish but a star ingredient here.
  • Test Your Sugar: Taste your pineapple first. If it’s super sweet, you might want to cut back on added sugar.
  • Mix Well: Ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined for an even flavor profile throughout.
  • Preheat and Prep: Always preheat your oven and grease your casserole dish to avoid any sticking.
  • Let It Sit: Give it a few minutes to set after you take it out of the oven for easier serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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Recipe Rating




18 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Where has this been all my life?! At first, I wasn’t sure but I was so intrigued I tried it out, anyway. 😆 It is amazing. The Ritz crackers on top are my favorite part! Buttery perfection.

    Reply

  3. I have to admit, this dish always sounded so weird to me but a family member requested it so I gave it a try and it’s so weirdly delicious! Who knew that ritz crackers, cheese and PINEAPPLE would work together?!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    this was so good and such a unique side dish. we served it alongside a ham and the pineapple flavor was the perfect combination. loved it!

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    So glad to find this recipe for pineapple casserole. My grammy used to make something similar and I loved it. Your recipe is just so easy to make and I pretty much ate the whole thing myself.

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    I had to try your recipe. My grammy used to make a pineapple casserole, and I loved it. I pretty much ate this by myself. I love the sweet and salty flavors.

    Reply

    1. It’s wonderful to hear that this recipe brought back fond memories of your grandma’s pineapple casserole. And I’m glad you enjoyed the sweet and salty flavors of this dish.

  7. This sounds amazing. What ‘level’ of cheddar cheese do you use? Mild, Medium, sharp, extra sharp?

    Reply

  8. 5 stars
    I’m planning on making this recipe. Sounds delicious!!
    Can someone please tell me what size a MEDIUM casserole is.
    Inch measurements or volume amount would be helpful. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Glad you like to try this recipe Karen! A medium casserole is about 9 x 13 inches or 3 quarts in volume. You can adjust the recipe according to the size of your casserole dish.