With your Christmas or Easter ham, alongside a Thanksgiving turkey, on a bridal shower buffet, at a funeral, or for your next Sunday dinner, this Pineapple Casserole is a Southern staple on just about any celebratory table. The sweet and savory combination of pineapple, cheese, and a buttery crumb topping makes this an absolutely irresistible easy side dish recipe!
Pineapple Cheese Casserole
If you’re looking for a simple, quick-prep side dish that will knock the socks off of your guests, then this golden pineapple casserole recipe is just the ticket! It’s sweet, salty, buttery, cheesy, and oh-so-decadent! Best of all, it pairs nicely with almost any entrĂ©e. From a holiday ham or turkey, to grilled steak, roasted chicken, or a cozy meatloaf, you can serve this delicious casserole alongside just about any meal.
What is Pineapple Casserole?
Grandma’s pineapple casserole recipe is an addicting combination of canned pineapple, sharp cheddar cheese, and buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. It’s a great option to pair with a holiday ham, a roast turkey, or just your casual Sunday night roast chicken!
Is it a dessert?
We serve this casserole as a side dish, but it’s certainly sweet enough and rich enough to qualify as a dessert! It’s a lot like a pineapple crisp, and would be delicious served warm and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a classic pineapple casserole. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Ritz crackers and butter: the melted butter and the cracker crumbs come together to form the rich, crunchy topping.
- Crushed pineapple and pineapple tidbits: the canned pineapple (well drained) creates the base of the casserole filling.
- Sugar: to sweeten the filling.
- Flour: acts as a thickener so that the filling isn’t too watery.
- Cheese: we love a classic grated cheddar cheese, but you can substitute with other good melting cheeses, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack, or even diced cream cheese.
How To Make Pineapple Casserole
This easy side dish comes together with just 10 minutes of prep!
- Combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and the melted butter in a medium bowl. This is the crumb mixture that you’ll use to top your casserole.
- Drain the canned pineapple over a bowl to catch the juice (you’ll need some of the juice for the filling).
- Whisk together the sugar, flour, and pineapple juice in a large bowl until smooth.
- Stir in the grated cheese and the drained pineapple.
- Spoon pineapple mixture into a greased 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs over top.
- Bake, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is toasted and golden brown.
What to Serve with Pineapple Casserole
This pineapple cheese casserole is an easy recipe that pairs well with almost any of your favorite entrees. Here are some great options:
- Classic Meatloaf, Southern Meatloaf, or Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
- Fried Chicken Cutlets and Country Gravy
- Dutch Oven Pork Roast or 5-Ingredient Pork Sirloin Roast
- Baked Baby Back Ribs
- Ham Steak with Brown Sugar Glaze, Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze, Virginia Brown Sugar Baked Ham, Crock Pot Ham with Cola Glaze, or Pineapple Glazed Ham
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Virginia Ham Salad
- Grilled New York Strip Steak, Bourbon-Glazed Beef Tenderloin, or Cast Iron Skillet Filet Mignon
- Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy
- Fried Pork Chops, Grilled Pork Chops, Oven-Fried Breaded Pork Chops, Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops, Oven BBQ Pork Chops, or Stuffed Pork Chops
- Crispy Fried Chicken, Potato Chip Chicken Strips, or Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
- Roast Chicken
- Dutch Oven Pot Roast or Mississippi Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Breast, or Oven Roasted Turkey
- Crock Pot Pulled Pork, Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork, or Cider-Braised Pulled Pork
- Mississippi Roasted Pork Shoulder
- Grilled BBQ Chicken
- Dutch Oven BBQ Beef
- Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin or Mustard and Brown Sugar Baked Pork Tenderloin
- Crispy Southern Fried Catfish
Storage and Preparation Tips
- Prep ahead! To prepare the casserole in advance, simply assemble the filling and place it in the baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Prepare the crumb topping in advance as well, and leave it (covered) on your countertop. Sprinkle the topping over the casserole right before baking.
- Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Leftovers can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- To reheat the casserole: Allow the dish to come to room temperature on the counter. Reheat the casserole in a 300°F oven, just until warmed through. If the topping starts to get too dark before the rest of the casserole is warm, loosely cover the top with foil to prevent additional browning.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of enjoying this casserole as a side dish, try serving it for dessert — like a pineapple crisp! It’s delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top.
- Don’t have Ritz crackers? While the Ritz are definitely my preference, you can also make a pineapple casserole with Cheez-Its or other favorite salty, buttery crackers.
- Cut the amount of sugar if you prefer a less-sweet filling. Blog readers have had success with using as little as ½ cup of sugar.
- Instead of grated cheddar cheese, try making a pineapple casserole with cream cheese. Just use 8 ounces of diced, room temperature cream cheese in lieu of the cheddar. You can also use other grated cheeses, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, or Colby-Jack.
- For a larger group, double all of the ingredients and bake the casserole in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. You may need to add about 5-10 minutes to the total baking time.
tips for the best pineapple casserole recipe
- Drain the pineapple really well so that the filling isn’t too watery. Don’t forget to reserve the juice in a bowl so that you can use some of it in the filling.
- I like the smaller texture of the pineapple tidbits, but pineapple chunks will also work.
- Keep an eye on the casserole during the final 5-10 minutes of baking. The cracker crumbs can burn quickly!
- Add a bit of color to the finished dish by garnishing with chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme.
- Make it an entrée by preparing a pineapple and ham casserole. Simply add a cup or two of diced, cooked ham to the filling.
More Southern Side Dish Recipes to Try
Did you make this recipe?
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Pineapple Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cups lightly crushed Ritz crackers (about 50 crackers, or 1½ sleeves)
- 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits or chunks
- 1 cup sugar (or less for a less-sweet filling)
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (8 ounces) grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep the oven and dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make the topping: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter and cracker crumbs until evenly moistened. Set aside.
- Drain the pineapple: Drain both cans of pineapple over a bowl, pressing out as much juice as you can. Save the juice.
- Mix the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, and 6 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Stir in the cheese and drained pineapple.
- Assemble: Spread the filling in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the topping is toasted and golden brown. Tent loosely with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
Notes
- Drain well: A watery filling almost always comes from under-drained pineapple. Tidbits, chunks, or a mix with crushed pineapple all work.
- Cheese options: Medium or extra-sharp cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or Colby-Jack all work. For a creamier filling, use 8 ounces of diced, room temperature cream cheese instead.
- Less sweet: You can cut the sugar to as little as ½ cup.
- Other crackers: Cheez-Its or other salty, buttery crackers can stand in for the Ritz.
- Make ahead: Assemble the filling in the dish, cover, and refrigerate. Keep the crumb topping covered on the counter, and add it just before baking.
- Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat at 300°F just until warmed through.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in March, 2019. The photos were updated in March, 2022.
I have been making this dish for years and it is always a big hit! I use 2 cans of pineapple tidbits and 1/2 cup of sugar.
Really nice post!
My Momo would make this. I was too young when she past away to appreciate collecting recipes. Thank you so much for posting!
That’s wonderful, Lily. I’m so glad that you can have a “taste” of her through this recipe. Enjoy!
This is superb! I’ve tried several recipes over many years (I’m 60) but this is best one! I do usually use pineapple tidbits in place of the chunks as recipe calls for.
Just a personal tastes thing. Never tried with the chunks yet.
Thank you, Deborah! 🙂
Would this be good using an extra sharp cheddar or would it be better to stick with a medium cheddar?
Hi! Yes, the extra sharp cheddar will work fine if you like that flavor. Hope you enjoy!
Can this pineapple casserole be eaten cold or does it have to be served hot?
Hi, Ana Maria! It’s similar to a fruit crisp dessert — best when served warm, but still good at room temperature. I wouldn’t serve it cold, but that’s just my personal preference. Hope you enjoy!
LOVE THIS SO MUCH
Thank you so much, Jo Ann!
This was the very first time my family and I have ever eaten this Southern Pineapple Casserole. I followed your recipe exactly. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe, it goes great with ham and Turkey as you suggested.
Thank you for trying it out, Denise. We’re so glad you enjoyed it!