Pineapple Casserole Recipe

This Southern pineapple casserole is pineapple, cheese and buttery crackers, all baked together to create a sweet and savory side dish. A unique and unexpected accompaniment to turkey, ham or chicken, and it always gets rave reviews.

I like to serve up an assortment of side dishes when I’m entertaining, including noodle kugel, Southern cornbread dressing, and this super easy pineapple casserole.

If you haven’t tried pineapple casserole, you are totally missing out. The combination of sweet and juicy pineapple, cheddar cheese and crackers just can’t be beat! Best of all, this takes just minutes to put together and can be prepared ahead of time for a special occasion.

How do you make pineapple casserole?

Place canned pineapple chunks, flour, pineapple juice, brown sugar, granulated sugar and cheddar cheese in a bowl. Stir until well combined. Pour the pineapple mixture in an even layer in a baking dish. Mix melted butter with crushed crackers. Sprinkle the crackers over the pineapple mixture. Bake until golden brown. Add a sprinkle of parsley if desired, then serve and enjoy.

Tips for the perfect dish

• Be sure to use pineapple packed in juice, not heavy syrup. You will need to reserve some of the juice from the cans to use in the recipe.
• You can use a 9 inch square baking pan, a pie plate or a 2 quart ceramic baking dish for this recipe.
• I typically use a buttery cracker such as Ritz crackers. Any buttery style cracker will work just fine.
• Skip the pre-shredded bags of cheese and grate your own instead. Store bought shredded cheese is often coated in preservatives and anti caking agents and does not melt well.
• This casserole is best when served immediately, as the crackers can soften over time.
• I add a little parsley on top for a bit of color and fresh flavor, but this is optional.
• Pineapple casserole is great when paired with ham, and is a classic holiday dish in the South.
• I like the combination of brown and white sugar mixed together, but you can also use all white sugar if you prefer for a milder flavor.

Make ahead instructions

This casserole can be assembled up to 8 hours before you plan to bake it. Stir together the pineapple mixture and place it in the baking dish. Crush the crackers and store them separately from the pineapple base. Right before baking, mix the crackers with butter and place them on top of the casserole.

Pineapple casserole flavor variations

This dish is fabulous as-is, but you can use other ingredients to customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

• Pineapple: You can use 1 can of crushed pineapple and 1 can of pineapple chunks if you prefer.
• Cheese: Instead of cheddar, try a different type of mild cheese that melts well, such as Monterey Jack or even mozzarella.
• Topping: Swap out the buttery crackers for crushed cornflakes for a different flavor and texture.

Once you try this pineapple casserole, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis. It’s just that good!

More side dishes to try

• Candied Yams
• Stovetop Mac and Cheese
• Creamed Corn
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Cauliflower Casserole

Pineapple Casserole Video