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Baked Pineapple Casserole Recipe
While it sounds unusual, this pineapple casserole is a surprisingly tasty Southern favorite that bakes cheese and pineapple with a buttery Ritz cracker topping for a great side dish.
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You’re missing out if you’ve never tried a pineapple casserole. Delicious, sweet, and savory, this Southern favorite is a unique way to enjoy the juicy, tropical fruit paired with gooey melted cheese and crunchy buttery crackers on top.
Pineapple Cheese Casserole Ingredients
With a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, the pineapple casserole boasts a creamy texture that will leave you wanting more.
The dish is a perfect balance of pineapple chunks, cheese, and crushed crackers, baked to perfection in a fruity and creamy sauce.
You’ll need:
- 2 (20-ounce) cans of pineapple tidbits in 100% pineapple juice (drained but reserve 8 tablespoons of pineapple juice)
- 1½ cups freshly shredded Colby jack cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 35-38 (1 sleeve) Ritz crackers, crushed
- ½ cup salted sweet cream butter, melted
PRO TIP:
It’s best to shred your own cheese, as pre-shredded cheese tends to have a preservative coating that prevents it from melting well.
Pineapple Cheese Casserole Substitutions And Additions
NUTS: You can add chopped pecans to the buttered crackers layer for an added crunch to your casserole.
PINEAPPLE: You can substitute drained pineapple chunks for the canned pineapple tidbits. You can also substitute drained crushed pineapple for the tidbits.
CHEDDAR CHEESE: While the recipe calls for cheddar cheese, you can experiment with different cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or Swiss to customize the flavor.
Each cheese will bring its unique characteristics, so pick your favorite for a delicious twist.
RITZ CRACKERS: If you don’t have Ritz crackers on hand, you can substitute with other buttery cracker brands.
Just ensure they have a similar texture and buttery flavor to maintain the dish’s delightful crunch.
How To Make Pineapple Casserole
Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make this unique casserole that’s loaded with some unusual yet delicious flavor combinations.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This recipe can be made ahead of time. Make the body of the casserole, but do not sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
STEP TWO: Add the drained pineapple tidbits to a large bowl.
STEP THREE: Stir in the shredded cheese.
STEP FOUR: Add the granulated sugar and flour to a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
STEP FIVE: Whisk in the eight tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice. Whisk until no lumps remain.
STEP SIX: Pour the flour mixture over the pineapple and shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
STEP SEVEN: Add the crushed crackers to a small mixing bowl. Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and stir until the crumbs are completely coated.
PRO TIP:
To crush the crackers easily, place the Ritz crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
STEP EIGHT: Evenly spread the pineapple mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the buttered crumbs over top of the pineapple mixture.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the buttered crumbs are golden brown. Serve while still warm.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your casserole at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
How To Serve Baked Pineapple Casserole
This delicious warm casserole is a great option to serve with your holiday ham and all the fixings.
Add creamy mashed potatoes, a Caesar salad, and dinner rolls, and you have a complete meal.
Add more pineapple recipes to your menu with our pineapple upside down dump cake and creamy pineapple coleslaw.
MORE CASSEROLE RECIPES
Storing This Recipe For Pineapple Casserole
Here’s a guide on how to handle your casserole, whether you want to make it ahead or store leftovers.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’d like to prepare this casserole ahead of time, you can assemble it, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight.
When you’re ready to bake, simply remove it from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and then follow the baking instructions.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this pineapple cheese casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this recipe for pineapple casserole as the pineapple will become soggy, and the crackers will lose their crunch.
You Will Love This Recipe For Pineapple Casserole
SWEET AND SAVORY: This casserole strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. The combination of buttery crackers, caramelized pineapple, and melted cheese creates a delightful contrast of flavors.
COMFORT FOOD: This casserole is the kind of dish that evokes warm memories and feelings of coziness.
CROWD-PLEASER: This recipe’s unique flavor profile and satisfying texture make it a hit at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday feasts. You’ll find yourself making it time and time again to rave reviews.
This unusual baked pineapple casserole is a Southern recipe that we guarantee will be a big hit from your first bite. The sweet pineapple is combined with tangy cheese and topped with buttery cracker crumbs for the perfect dish to serve at all of your family gatherings.
Pineapple Casserole Recipe FAQs
Could I use fresh pineapple for this Southern pineapple casserole recipe?
For this pineapple casserole with Ritz crackers, we actually find that canned pineapple is best as it is slightly sweeter than fresh.
Can I freeze leftovers of this pineapple and cheese casserole?
We don’t recommend freezing this casserole as the crunchy cracker topping will become soggy once thawed.
Can I make this pineapple with cheese casserole ahead of time?
You can assemble the casserole filling ahead of time, but we recommend waiting to add the cracker topping until you are ready to bake.
Pineapple Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers
While it sounds unusual, this pineapple casserole is a surprisingly tasty Southern favorite that bakes cheese and pineapple with a buttery Ritz cracker topping for a great side dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 9
Ingredients
- 40 ounces pineapple tidbits in 100% pineapple juice (drained but reserve 8 tablespoons of pineapple juice)
- 1½ cups freshly shredded colby jack cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 35 to 38 Ritz crackers,
- ½ cup salted sweet cream butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
- Add the drained pineapple tidbits to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in the shredded cheese.
- Add the granulated sugar and flour to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Whisk in the 8 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice. Whisk until no lumps remain.
- Pour the flour mixture over the pineapple and shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
- Add the crushed Ritz crackers to a small mixing bowl. Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and stir until the crumbs are completely coated.
- Evenly spread the pineapple mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the pineapple mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the buttered crumbs are golden brown. Serve while still warm.
Notes
- It’s best to shred your own cheese, as pre-shredded cheese tends to have a preservative coating that prevents it from melting well.
- This recipe can be made ahead of time. Make the body of the casserole, but do not sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake it
- To crush the crackers easily, place the Ritz crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Nutrition
Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 666IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 1mg
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