This sweet pineapple casserole is the perfect dish for your next potluck or holiday gathering! Paired with holiday ham, not only is it delicious, but it's also super easy to make. The only question is, will it be a dessert or a side dish?
Next time try Cracker Barrel Fried Apples - it's a delicious recipe!
Jump to:
- Cheesy Pineapple Casserole Recipe
- Ingredients you’ll need
- Creative variations to try
- Step-by-step instructions
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
- How to store leftovers
- More pineapple recipes to try
- Related recipes
- Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Old Fashioned Pineapple Casserole
Cheesy Pineapple Casserole Recipe
This pineapple bake casserole is an easy recipe makes for an excellent dish to feed a crowd. It's delicious and only requires a few basic ingredients. It's perfect for potlucks, Easter dinner, family gatherings and a terrific side dish with your holiday meals.
Ingredients you’ll need
Please take a look at the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements for the baked pineapple casserole.
- canned pineapple chunks, well drained
- sugar
- all purpose flour
- salt
- cheddar cheese - I like sharp cheddar cheese for this recipe.
- melted butter
- buttery Ritz crackers for the perfect crispy topping!
Creative variations to try
- You could easily add in some chopped ham or bacon to this recipe making it a sweet savory side dish.
- Add some crunch to this recipe by mixing ½ cup of pecans or walnuts with the pineapple mixture.
- Another great addition to this casserole would be sweetened coconut flakes.
- Add some extra flavor by mixing in ground nutmeg or cinnamon.
- You can also add in halved maraschino cherries for extra sweetness and color. Wouldn't that be pretty for the holidays?
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat the oven to 350˚ degrees, Butter an 8x8 baking dish, or spray with non stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt and reserved pineapple juice. Add drained pineapple chunks and toss well to combine.
- Spoon pineapple mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top with shredded cheese.
- Crush the crackers and put them in a small bowl; combine Ritz crackers and melted butter. Spread the crunchy topping evenly on top of the pineapple mixture.
- Place in a preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden brown.
Essential tools for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
You need to drain the pineapple really well with a sieve (rather than a strainer.) Blot any excess liquid prior to baking.
This recipe can be either a dessert or side dish, it's up to you! It's an easy side dish, perfect for potlucks.
Buttery crackers like Ritz work best. Salty crackers like saltines or gold fish would be the next best thing.
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it when you're ready. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
No, fresh pineapple really doesn't work well in this southern casserole.
Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
Use a good quality sharp cheese, it makes all the difference in the flavor.
- Make sure to crush the crackers really well so they form a nice crust on top.
- If you don't have a 8x8 baking dish, you can use a 9x9 dish or even a pie plate.
The pineapple bake may sound like an odd combination, but it's a great side dish at Thanksgiving or on Christmas Day!
How to store leftovers
Refrigerator - Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap up to 3 days.
Freezer - Pineapple casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat - Place the casserole in a 350˚ degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
More pineapple recipes to try
- This Easy Pineapple Salsa is perfect to top Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor.
- There's nothing like a smear of Apricot Pineapple Jam over your bagel in the morning!
- Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple is perfect for your holiday gathering.
- The bright, fresh Mexican Fruit Salad is always a favorite!
- Air Fryer Pineapple is perfect for a dessert or side dish. And because you're using the air fryer it just couldn't be easier!
Related recipes
- If you love crushed crackers topped casseroles you are going to love this Ritzy Chicken Casserole recipe.
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is creamy, and cheesy and makes for a filling casserole that your entire family will love.
- Broccoli Casserole - easy to make and perfect for Sunday supper or holiday dinner. It also makes an amazing vegetarian main dish!
- If you are craving a hearty and comforting casserole then look no further than this Easy Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
- Looking for more great recipes? Check this out for Thanksgiving Side Dishes!
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Easter Ham with Orange Glazed Marmalade Ham is simple to make and turns out delicious for a holiday meal.
- Candied Sweet Potatoes are a classic holiday dish that your entire family is going to love.
- I didn't think you would get any easier than Southern Style Green Beans, but the pressure cooker has made it even easier, your whole family will love this simple side dish.
- Be sure to have ice cream on hand! If you're serving it as a dessert a scoop of ice cream is a must.
What do you think? Are you ready to give this unique casserole a try?!! If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Old Fashioned Pineapple Casserole
Ingredients
- 40 ounces pineapple chunks 2 (20 oz)cans, well drained - reserve ⅓ cup of the juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers coarsely crushed about 30 crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚ degrees, Butter 8x8 baking dish, set aside.
- Drain pineapple chunks. Place in a sieve and drain completely, blotting any excess liquid. Reserve â…“ cup of pineapple juice. Place pineapple chunks in a large bowl.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt and reserved pineapple juice. Add the sweet pineapple chunks and toss well to combine.
- Spoon pineapple mixture into prepared casserole dish and top with shredded cheese.
- Crush the crackers. In a small bowl, combine Ritz crackers and melted butter. Spread the buttery cracker crumbs evenly on top of the pineapple mixture.
- Place in preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown, hot and bubbly.
Shirley Mull says
I doubled the recipe for a large church dinner. It was great. Everyone loved it.
Thanks!
Debra Clark says
That's awesome Shirley, this recipe is perfect for a potluck! Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your support of the blog!
Lois says
This sure sound good. Will be making it soon after the holidays. I love the recipes. So easy to make and to follow. Thank you again
Bowl Me Over says
You're so welcome Lois!
Cindy says
I've never heard of cheesy pineapple casserole but I've such good luck with your other recipes I'm going to have to try it!
Marye Audet-White says
It's just not the holidays without a pineapple casserole on the table!This looks delicious.
Camden says
I've never seen all of the variations you recommended for pineapple casserole. Great ideas!
One Crazy House says
I never would have thought to combine these ingredients, but I need to try making pineapple cheese casserole!
Cyndy says
Pineapple cheese casserole is new to me but it sounds delicious! Thank you for showing me a whole new way to use one of my favorite fruits.
Brandi says
I never thought to combine cheese and pineapple, but my whole family is now intrigued and we'll be giving this pineapple casserole a try for Thanksgiving this year!
Sharon says
This pineapple cheese casserole really looks good!!! I can't wait to try it! Reminds me of how sometimes people like to eat a slice of cheese with apple pie! There must be something about the sweet, sour, and cheese combo, haha!
Sharon says
I had to pause for a minute when I saw this, but I have to say, this pineapple cheese casserole really looks good!!! I can't wait to try it! Reminds me of how sometimes people like to eat a slice of cheese with apple pie! There must be something about the sweet, sour, and cheese combo, haha!
Kristen says
I love pineapple on my pizza, so I'm pretty sure I will LOVE this pineapple cheese casserole! I might make it for Thanksgiving!
Rita Joy says
Oh, my goodness! I tried this pineapple casserole recipe and it is out of this world delicious! I've never tried anything like it before - and was a little skeptical of the pineapple and cheese, but trust me - it works! So, so yummy...
Alyssa says
I have never hear of pineapple casserole before. I love to try new things though and I can never say no to cheese!
Cynthia says
Pineapple casserole is a surprisingly good food. I would have never thought to mix those ingredients together in one dish, lol!
Brittany says
You can always count on pineapple cheese casserole being at our family gatherings!