Pineapple is always a fan favorite at my house. We love the sweet and tangy flavor and vibrant color pineapple brings to the table. And I especially love its versatility for savory dishes, sweet desserts, zesty salads, or frothy smoothies. Pineapple casserole is a family favorite because it perfectly combines the sweetness of pineapple with sharp cheddar cheese and buttery crackers. The balance of crunchy and creamy creates a classic Southern dish that’s comforting and addictive! However, the pineapple’s sweetness gives it a cobbler vibe that makes itself at home on any dessert table. So go ahead… add a toasted coconut flakes and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a tasty dessert!
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Pineapple Casserole
Prep – Preheat oven to 325℉ (165℃). Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with a generous amount of butter. Filling – Mix the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add cheese, drained pineapple chunks, nutmeg, and cinnamon; stir well. Transfer the pineapple mixture to the baking dish. Topping – Combine cracker crumbs, melted butter, and reserved pineapple juice in another bowl. Mix well. Cook – Spread the cracker mixture evenly over the pineapple casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges brown slightly.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Prepare pineapple casserole the day before to lighten the workload for the big holiday feast. First, prepare the filling by mixing the pineapple, sugars, and flour. Place the mixture in the baking pan and top it with grated cheese. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge overnight or freeze it for a couple of months. Next, prepare the crumb topping and store it separately. Before baking, remove the filling from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Add the topping and bake as directed.
Serving and Storage Instructions
I love this dish hot from the oven to enjoy all that melty, cheesy deliciousness! Just pop leftover pineapple casserole in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze it for up to 3 months. The cracker topping’s texture changes once thawed, but it’s still delicious! Thaw the frozen casserole in the fridge overnight and let it sit on the counter for about an hour before reheating. To reheat, place leftovers in a baking dish and heat in the oven at 350℉ (175℃) for 15-20 minutes. But leftovers also taste amazing cold, straight from the fridge. 😉
What to Serve With Pineapple Casserole
For a holiday feast, serve this pineapple casserole with glazed ham, oven-roasted red potatoes, and sauteed Brussels sprouts. A big ol’ scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream makes an incredible dessert.
More Scrumptious Pineapple Recipes to Try
Conclusion
This classic pineapple casserole is the perfect fusion of sweet and savory! Do you serve it as a dessert or a side? Leave your vote in the comments below! 😉
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”4rVf531I” upload-date=”2020-11-22T05:00:00.000Z” name=”Pineapple Casserole” description=”Pineapple Casserole – a classic sweet and savory Southern dish made with pineapple chunks, cheese, sugar, butter and Ritz crackers. If you want your palate to be entertained, then this dessert-like casserole is what you need. Great for the holidays or even for regular days!” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This blog post was originally published in October 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
