Pineapple Casserole Recipe – Beaming Baker

Cheesy, buttery, and sweet! This Pineapple Casserole is packed with sweet pineapples, tangy cheddar cheese, and topped with a buttery cracker crust. A Southern favorite for Thanksgiving and Easter.

Any fans of sweet and savory? Me! Come join me, friends, for one of the easiest baked casserole recipes ever. Pineapple casserole is deliciously packed with sweet pineapple, savory, tangy sharp cheddar cheese, and topped with buttery topping.

The holidays are one of the most trying times to get your cooking act together and make something wonderful that will truly impress. I mean, we’ve all been there.

The answer? This hella easy to make pineapple cheese casserole!

Juicy and tender on the inside with melted cheese and sweet, juicy pineapples, topped with a crispy, buttery cracker crust—the flavor combo is delicious!

What is Pineapple Casserole?

Pineapple casserole is a Southern dish that consists of a cheesy, sweet pineapple filling that’s topped with buttery crackers and baked until golden. It’s a sweet and savory baked side dish that’s usually served for Thanksgiving and Easter.

In my opinion, this sweet and savory combo, while sounding a bit odd, is a delicious combination that surprises and delights you. It reminds me of a sweet cheese bun from a Chinese bakery (the kind I went to growing up).

Why Should I Make This Pineapple Casserole?

This is one of the easiest casseroles you can make! Just throw together the filling ingredients, mix together a topping and put it all in a baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes and voila, you have the best pineapple and cheese casserole!

Pineapple Casserole Ingredients

• Pineapple: we’ll be using both crushed pineapple and pineapple chunks for the just-right, juicy sweet texture that’s neither too chunky or too mushy
• Sugar
• Cheese: sharp cheddar cheese provides the most delicious contrast to sweet pineapple
• Flour
• Crackers: I used Ritz crackers because they’re buttery and delish, but you can use any buttery round cracker you’d like
• Panko crumbs: this ingredient adds incredible crispy, crunchy texture to any dish. I highly recommend it, but you can use more buttery round crackers if that’s all you have
• Butter
• Pineapple Juice: straight from the can! This cheesy pineapple casserole really shines when using canned pineapples, not fresh. And you need the deeply sweet juice from the can to achieve the right flavor balance

How to Make Pineapple Casserole

First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, lightly grease an 8-inch square casserole dish.

Next, add crushed pineapple, pineapple chunks, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, cheddar cheese, sugar, and flour to a large bowl. Toss to combine until very well mixed.

Spoon this pineapple and cheese mixture into the baking dish. Spread and smooth it out into an even layer.

In a medium bowl, stir together crackers, Panko crumbs, 3 tablespoons pineapple juice, and melted butter.

Now, sprinkle the buttery crumb topping evenly over the pineapple and cheese mixture.

Bake for about 30 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Can you make pineapple casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can. The key is to keep the filling and topping separate until right before baking and serving.

To make a pineapple cheese casserole ahead of time, make the cheese and pineapple filling, transfer it into the baking dish, and cover it tightly in the refrigerator. Add the topping right before baking. You might also need to tack on a few extra minutes since the casserole is chilled.

Variations

Here are some tasty variations you can make to customize your baked pineapple casserole.

• Tropical: Add some maraschino cherries into the filling by swapping out some of the pineapples for a twist of sweetness. I like to sprinkle in some sweetened coconut into the filling, or for serving.
• Use pineapple tidbits instead of crushed pineapples and chunks
• Sub honey for the cane sugar
• Adjust the amount of sugar for your desired sweetness. Can go up to ½ cup sugar, or leave sugar out all together
• Leave out the panko—you can use only Ritz crackers if that’s all you have. Just remember, the panko makes this baked pineapple casserole topping crisper and yummier!

Want More?

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Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

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