The Casserole Nobody Sees Coming
I know pineapple casserole can raise an eyebrow if you’ve never had it before. Pineapple, cheese, and crackers baked together don’t exactly sound like the most obvious combination. But here in the South, this kind of dish has been showing up on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas tables for good reason.
What makes it work is that perfect mix of sweet and savory, which is why my husband, Rob, is crazy for this dish. The pineapple stays juicy, the cheddar melts right into it, and the buttery cracker topping gives it that little bit of crunch that pulls the whole dish together. It’s simple, a little old-fashioned, and one of those recipes that gets people talking the minute they take a bite.
Enjoy, Y’all!
Why Pineapple and Cheese Work So Well Together
This is the part that makes people pause, but it’s also what makes the recipe memorable. The pineapple brings sweetness and a little brightness, while the sharp cheddar adds richness and a salty bite. Then you finish it with buttery cracker crumbs, which gives the casserole texture and helps balance all that softness underneath. It may sound unusual at first, but once you taste it, it makes perfect sense.
Donya’s Tips For The Best Pineapple Casserole
- Grate the cheddar cheese yourself for the best flavor and texture. It melts better and gives the casserole a creamier finish.
- Drain the pineapple well, but be sure to save a little of the juice for the filling.
- Crush the crackers lightly so the topping keeps some texture and bakes up crisp and golden.
- Don’t over-crush the topping. You want buttery cracker crumbs, not fine dust.
- Save a bowl by pouring the melted butter right into the bag of crushed crackers and mixing it there.
What You’ll Need
- Canned Pineapple – crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits can be used. You’ll use the drained pineapple, but save the juice.
- Granulated Sugar
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – grate it yourself for the best flavor and texture.
- Ritz Crackers – any brand of butter cracker works.
- All Purpose Flour and Butter
How To Make Southern Pineapple Casserole
- Make the pineapple filling. Combine drained pineapple, reserved juice, sugar, flour, and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl.
- Transfer to the dish. Spoon the pineapple casserole mixture into an 8×8 baking dish.
- Top with buttery crackers. Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake and serve. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until the pineapple casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Can You Make Pineapple Casserole Ahead?
You can assemble the pineapple filling ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. And to make things easy, I usually make the topping but store it separately, then add it just before it goes into the oven so it stays crisp.
How To Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you have leftovers, cover the casserole and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through.
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Ingredients
- 2 20 oz cans pineapple chunks – drained with ¼ cup juice reserved
- ¾ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese – shredded
- 2 cups (about 40 crackers) Ritz crackers – crushed
- ½ cup butter – melted
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium size bowl, combine pineapple, sugar, flour, cheese and reserved juice. Mix together and pour into an 8×8 casserole dish.
- In a bowl, mix together crackers and butter. Sprinkle evenly over pineapple mixture. Place in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until top of casserole is golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, store the baking dish or container covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through.
Nutrition
Questions About Southern Pineapple Casserole
Southern Pineapple Casserole is a baked side dish made with pineapple, cheddar cheese, sugar, flour, and a buttery cracker topping. It’s sweet, savory, and especially popular for any holiday and family gatherings.
Yes, you can, and even a combination of both. Just make sure you drain it and reserve some juice for the casserole.
I recommend it. Freshly grated cheddar melts better and gives the casserole a smoother texture.
It can honestly go either way, but most people serve it as a Southern side dish, especially with ham or turkey.
Yes you can. Double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13 pan.
Serving Suggestions and Pairing with Other Southern Side Dishes
My family’s favorites are glazed baked ham, turkey breast, roasted chicken, and pork tenderloin. Add a few sides like skillet green beans, air fryer baby potatoes, or cheesy grits casserole, and you’ve got a meal that everyone will remember!
If you tried this Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
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Very easy to make and family loved it.
I made this recipecfor the firstctime last Thanksgiving. We couldn’t believe how scrumptious it was! It’s a keeper for our holiday dinners.
Virginia! You have made my day.
Happy Thanksgiving ❤️
~Donya
Can you bake pineapple casserole in ramekins!
I’ve never tried it but it might work. Let me know how it goes!
~Donya
I saw this recipe, showed it to my husband, and we gave this a go yesterday. We mistakenly got crushed pineapple, but that didn’t hurt anything. We could not believe how delicious this was!! New favorite for our table! Yuummmeee!
Hey there Virginia!
Thank you so much for all your kind words and your terrific rating, I really appreciate all of your support! This is one of those recipes that’s a must-make for holidays but it’s also super simple to prepare for weeknight meals throughout the year. Since enjoyed this dish, you should check out my recipe for Easy Pineapple Coleslaw, the tropical flavors are incredible and it’s great to serve any time of year. Let me know if you ever have any questions, I’d be more than happy to help, thank you again for all your support!
~Donya
OH, MY GOSH!!! Nirvana! I have Southern roots, but never heard of this. I’ve been missing out! As we were preparing it, my husband said, when we mixed the buttery crackers with melted butter, “We’ve been eating these crackers all wrong!” 😆 This is now a staple in our house! Yummmeee!!!
Hey there Virginia!
Wow! I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you found your way to my recipe, this southern staple is a family favorite in my house so I am super happy to hear that y’all enjoyed it as well! Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support! Please let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’m always happy to help! I hope y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have a Happy Holiday Season!
~Donya
Hi I am making this for the first time for Thanksgiving for my family is it OK to make the night before n leave Crackers off n then in am put Crackers on n bake entire dish or go ahead n cook night before except the crackers
Hey there Lorie!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe! So, for this dish you can honestly take either approach to make it ahead of time. Usually I’ll prepare everything the day before and leave off the crackers, and then when I’m ready to serve it, I top the dish with crackers and bake it all together. That being said, you can totally bake it the day before and then add crackers right before you reheat it, it’s up to you! I hope this was helpful, let me know how everything turned out, I’d love to hear what y’all think!
~Donya
Making for Thanksgiving meal for my family. Its my hubby favorite dish. Using your recipe this year.🦃 Happy Thanksgiving!!🦃
Hey there Kim!
I am so happy to hear that you’re adding this dish to your Thanksgiving Menu, Pineapple Casserole is definitely a must-have item on any holiday table! Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, please let me know how everything turns out, I’d love to hear what y’all think of this version! I hope y’all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
~Donya
This is has become a family favorite..and love that it’s a surprising side dish that everyone just loves! I have lived in the south all my life and no one had ever made this for me…shameful! Thanks for sharing!
Hey there Mary Lee!
I am happy to hear that everyone has enjoyed this recipe, it’s definitely a true southern classic! As you said, it’s always an unexpected dish but I think everyone has to try it at least once because it’s just so good. Thank you so much for your support and your kind words, let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe! Have a great day!
~Donya
Donya, I’m fixing this for the first time this year. I have a granddaughter who is a pineapple fiend, she’s expecting and is about 7 months along. Just a little treat for her to let her know she’s special and nana is making something just with her in mind.
Hey there Jane!
My goodness, what a sweet comment to receive, thank you so much for your interest in this recipe! Congratulations to your granddaughter, and to you as well, meeting a new family member is always so special. I really hope that everyone enjoys this dish, if she’s a pineapple lover then I’m sure this will be just the thing to tame any pregnancy cravings, it’s definitely a go-to comfort food in my family. Let me know how it turns out, thank you so much for your support, if you have any questions you’re more than welcome to reach out!
~Donya
I would like to make your recipe, but am questioning if the cheese and crackers will make it too salty. Shall I use unsalted crackers instead?
Hey there Deborah!
That’s a completely understandable concern, but in my experience salted crackers don’t normally make it too salty. I usually use salted Ritz crackers for my topping and I think the salt works well because it tames down the sweetness from the pineapple. If you wanted to use unsalted that would absolutely still work well, it’s all about personal preference. I hope this helps, let me know what you think of this recipe if you end up giving it a try. Thank you for your support, I hope you have a Happy Holidays!
~Donya
Hi Donya, can this be baked the night before and reheated, or would the pineapple absorb the crackers? How about making it 2-3 hours ahead and reheating? We don’t want to juggle oven dish timings. We’ve never eaten Southern Pineapple Casserole and your description sold us on making it for Thanksgiving. Thank you.
Hey Ryan!
So, here’s what I would do. I’d make the casserole without the topping and bake it for 20 minutes. Take it out of the oven and just let it cool on the counter. Before you want to serve, add the topping and bake uncovered for 10 minutes. That should make the topping golden and heat the dish through. I hope this helps.
Let me know how things turn out. I’m honored to be a little part of your Thanksgiving day. 😉
~Donya
Yes, I was wondering the same thing Ryan. I want to take to a dinner and it will sit awhile in travel and people gathering. -jo
Hey there Jo!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think it will make a wonderful dish to enjoy with friends! What you’ll want to do is prepare the casserole without the topping and then bake it for 20 minutes, cover it with tinfoil and transport to wherever you need. Then, about 15 minutes before you want to serve, add the topping and bake uncovered for 10 minutes, this will ensure that the topping doesn’t get soggy. I hope this helps, let me know how it turns out! Thank you for your support, if you ever have any other questions please feel free to reach out!
~Donya
Do you use the pineapple juice??
Yep – per the recipe “2 20 oz cans pineapple chunks – drained with ¼ cup juice reserved”
~Donya