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.
For more Pineapple recipes, check out:
Pineapple Salsa Pineapple Meatballs Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda
