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Home » Creative Recipes » Side Dishes » Pineapple Casserole

White Casserole Dish with Pineapple Casserole on blue gray counter with light blue napkin in the top left corner

Pineapple Casserole

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Mar 8, 2022
UPDATED: Jul 25, 2023
10 Reviews / 5 Average
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Pineapple Casserole is a sweet and salty Southern dish with gooey and crunchy filling and a cobbler-like topping.

It’s perfect for Easter or any special holiday is inexpensive and calls for minimal ingredients that you likely already have in the pantry!

White casserole dish filled with pineapple casserole with a spoonful removed and the serving spoon in the dish.

Serve this pineapple casserole as an Easter side dish with Peach Glazed Ham or Pork Roast, and Asparagus, or Brussels Sprouts, or as a dessert when served with whipped cream, ice cream, or by adding in some extra ingredients such as sweetened flaked coconut, nutmeg, and juicy maraschino cherries.

Table of Contents
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • What Do I Need To Make This Recipe
  • Equipment
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Pineapple Casserole
  • Pro Recipe Tips
  • Variations
  • What To Serve With Pineapple Casserole
  • FAQs
  • More Recipes You’ll Love
  • Recipe
  • Reviews
Overhead view of white casserole dish with handles filled with Pineapple Casserole with a crispy, buttery cracker crust, on a blue gray counter with a light blue napkin in the top left and a spoon on the left side.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to assemble: This pineapple casserole is incredibly easy to make. It calls for simple ingredients and minimal steps to follow. 
  • Inexpensive dish: The sweet and salty combination of sugary pineapple with buttery Ritz crackers is addictive and won’t burn a whole in your pocket! For this reason, I love making this when catering to a large crowd, especially over busy holidays. 
  • Enjoyed as a side dish or dessert: This pineapple dish is great as a side dish to pork or ham but could just as easily be eaten as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 
  • Generous serving: This recipe will yield up to 6-8 servings but you could halve or double the ingredients called for depending on what’s needed and by using a suitable sized baking dish.

Why This Recipe Works

  • This pineapple casserole is always on the menu for the holiday in my house, Easter in particular! I’ve made it for many years and served it up to family, friends, and guests with only positive feedback and numerous requests for the recipe!
  • I’m going to walk you through the process of making this scrumptious casserole effortlessly with the aid of simple recipe instructions and step-by-step recipe images. 
  • Frequently asked questions and pro recipe tips have been included in this recipe post to ensure that your experience of making pineapple casserole is easy and enjoyable. 
  • Recipe variations are listed below should you like to add any personal twists to your pineapple casserole. 
  • You can enjoy this pineapple casserole as a side dish to your main holiday meal or turn it into a sweet and salty dessert by serving it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
White Casserole dish with Pineapple Casserole inside it, and a spoonful taken out of it with the spoon still in it. 2 small white bowls of individual servings of pineapple casserole.

What Do I Need To Make This Recipe

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product, which does not increase the price.

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Casserole Dish
  • Serving Spoons

Ingredients

Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Overhead view of individual ingredients, each with blue labels and white text specifying what each ingredient is.
  • Pineapple chunks. You can also use crushed pineapple or even pineapple tidbits instead (which are typically smaller in size than pineapple chunks). Make sure to drain the pineapple well before adding to the other ingredients. However, reserve 1/4 cup pineapple juice.
  • Sugar. I’ve used white granulated sugar in this recipe. You could use a light brown sugar instead but anything darker is likely to alter the taste of this dish. 
  • Flour. All-purpose flour works well in this pineapple casserole. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free brand such as Bob’s Red Mill. A plant-based flour may also work but I haven’t tried it for this casserole.
  • Cheese. Use a mild cheddar cheese for this recipe and shred it yourself from the block as pre-shredded cheese doesn’t taste or melt as well. Another good option is Colby Jack. 
  • Butter. I recommend using unsalted butter since the crackers provide enough salt. Using salted butter may create an imbalance of sweet and salty in this dish. 
  • Crackers. I love using Ritz crackers for this casserole as they are deliciously buttery and melt in the mouth. Of course, feel free to use any other crackers that you enjoy and that are similar in taste and texture to Ritz crackers.

How To Make Pineapple Casserole

Instructions

  1. Combine the pineapple, sugar, flour and cheddar cheese together in a bowl.
  2. Mix the butter and crackers together.
  3. Spread the pineapple mixture evenly in the pan.
  4. Spoon the cracker mixture over the pineapple in the pan.
Step by step 4-photo collage of how to make Pineapple Casserole.
  • Cover the pan with tinfoil and place in the oven.  Bake for 25 minutes.
  • Remove the tin foil and bake for another 5 minutes until the crackers have lightly browned. Remove and serve.

Pro Recipe Tips

  • Make sure to drain the pineapple well so the casserole doesn’t contain excess liquid. 
  • Be careful not to crush the crackers too finely. You still want that cobbler-like consistency. If you are worried that a food processor will crush the crackers too much, simply add the crackers to a Ziploc bag and use a pastry rolling pin to crush to the desired consistency. 
  • If you don’t like wasting when it comes to food, consider draining your canned pineapple chunks or tidbits over a glass jar and use this juice in another recipe or add it to a homemade cocktail. 
  • You can easily make a double batch of this pineapple casserole and store one in the freezer for a convenient side dish or dessert later on. Making this dish ahead of time is a great way to reduce stress over the holidays.

Variations

  • This recipe calls for pineapple chunks but you could use a combination of pineapple tidbits with crushed pineapple instead – this alternative provides a lovely texture contrast.
  • Fresh pineapple can also be used when making pineapple casserole. 
  • For a gluten-free pineapple casserole, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour and a gluten-free brand of crackers.
  • Mild cheddar cheese is ideal for this casserole. Colby Jack is a great option but you can also use a medium to sharp cheddar – something that you’re used to cooking with and enjoy the most. 
  • For an extra special pineapple casserole, add some chopped pecans to the top of the dish. It’s great to do this when you remove the foil for that extra 5 minutes of baking so that the chopped nuts are toasted without burning.  
  • If you are intending to serve this pineapple casserole as a holiday dessert, consider adding in some sweetened shredded coconut, nutmeg or cinnamon, and perhaps some halved maraschino cherries!
White casserole dish with a whole pineapple casserole inside topped with a crispy, buttery Ritz cracker topping after it has come out of the oven.

What To Serve With Pineapple Casserole

This Pineapple Casserole can be served as a side to holiday ham or pork or you can use it as a tasty dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Garnish this pineapple casserole with some chopped pecans or walnuts for a special occasion like Easter or other holidays.

A spoonful of Pineapple casserole being held over a white casserole dish of the full pineapple casserole, with a light blue napkin in back and 2 small bowls stacked on the top right.

FAQs

HOW SHOULD I STORE THIS PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven (covered) for 10-15 minutes at 350F. 

CAN I FREEZE PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE?

Yes, you can. Once completely cooled, you can cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat. 

It should be noted that once frozen, this pineapple casserole may have a slightly different texture due to the crackers absorbing liquid in storage. 

WHERE DOES PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE COME FROM?

While Pineapple Casserole is certainly a favorite within Southern cuisine in the United States, the actual origin of this casserole is somewhat unknown.

It appears in many Southern cookbooks under “side dishes” and “desserts” and is right up there in popularity with the likes of peach cobbler and deviled eggs. 

IS THIS A SWEET OR SAVORY DISH?

It’s both! Pineapple casserole is a delicious combination of sweet and salty and as such, can either be enjoyed as a side dish to main meals such as holiday ham or pork, or you can enjoy this casserole as a dessert paired with some ice cream. 

The sugar and pineapple provide the sweetness while the butter, cheese, and Ritz crackers provide the savory element of this dish. 

Small white bowl of a single serving of pineapple casserole with 2 spoons with a white casserole dish with pineapple casserole in the top left and a partial view of a small white bowl with a single serving of pineapple casserole in the top right.

More Recipes You’ll Love

  • Ambrosia Salad
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Squash Casserole
  • Watergate Salad
  • Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls

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Recipe

White casserole dish filled with pineapple casserole with a spoonful removed and the serving spoon in the dish.
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5 from 10 votes

Pineapple Casserole Recipe

Pineapple Casserole, a sweet and salty side dish casserole, is also crunchy and cheesy with buttery crackers, and cheddar cheese. A traditional Southern holiday side dish.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword pineapple casserole
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 382kcal
Author Michele

Ingredients

  • 2 (20-oz cans) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve 1/4 cup juice)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 3.5 ounce Ritz crackers crushed
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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350° and spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Combine the pineapple, reserved pineapple juice, sugar, flour and cheddar cheese together in a bowl. Spread evenly in the pan.
  • Mix the butter and crackers together and spoon over the pineapple.
  • Cover the pan with tinfoil and place in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
  • Remove the tin foil and bake for another 5 minutes until the crackers have lightly browned.
  • Remove and serve.

Notes

  • Make sure to drain the pineapple well so the casserole doesn’t contain excess liquid. 
  • Be careful not to crush the crackers too finely. You still want that cobbler-like consistency. If you are worried that a food processor will crush the crackers too much, simply add the crackers to a Ziploc bag and use a pastry rolling pin to crush to the desired consistency. 
  • If you don’t like wasting when it comes to food, consider draining your canned pineapple chunks or tidbits over a glass jar and use this juice in another recipe or add it to a homemade cocktail. 
  • You can easily make a double batch of this pineapple casserole and store one in the freezer for a convenient side dish or dessert later on. Making this dish ahead of time is a great way to reduce stress over the holidays.

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 539IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Casserole Recipes, Easter Recipes, Side Dishes

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Reader Interactions

Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic
Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author and content creator. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot and Air Fryer recipes and Italian, Southern and Mexican cuisines.  Contact: [email protected].

Comments

  1. Colleen says

    March 29, 2022 at 11:20 am

    I’ve never heard of this dish, but what an interesting recipe! I think it would be a perfect side dish for an Easter ham!

    Reply
  2. mikayla says

    March 29, 2022 at 12:02 pm

    A foody at heart had me looking to try this out as soon as possible. Cheese and pineapple, why yes, they go together very well and you are right the Ritz crackers are an added bonus.

    Reply
  3. Sharon says

    March 29, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    Every bite of this casserole is absolute perfection. The perfect combination of sweet and salty all baked together.

    Reply
  4. Heather says

    March 29, 2022 at 6:31 pm

    I have to admit I was a bit skeptical that this would all go together..but boy was I wrong! So tasty…and super easy. Everyone loved it!

    Reply
  5. Freya says

    March 30, 2022 at 1:24 am

    Yum, what an interesting recipe! I used vegan cheese instead and it was fabulous, the family loved it!

    Reply
  6. Leslie says

    March 30, 2022 at 5:20 pm

    I love your idea of serving this with peach glazed ham! That sounds like a match made in heaven!

    Reply
  7. Uma Raghupathi says

    March 31, 2022 at 10:11 am

    Such a beautiful and unique casserole recipe. I bet this will taste amazing! Perfect for Easter celebration 🙂

    Reply
  8. Tammy says

    April 2, 2022 at 10:26 pm

    I’m honestly so intrigued by this! I’ve heard of cheddar in apple pie so this sounds very tasty to me and the buttery crackers are a perfect idea! Looks so good!

    Reply
  9. Jacqueline Debono says

    April 3, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    I love that this pineapple casserole can be used as a side dish or dessert. I think it would be perfect with ham so am planning to make it this Easter.

    Reply
  10. Kendra says

    October 8, 2024 at 9:27 pm

    This recipe is so yummy, thanks for sharing! Question though, what is the 1/4 cup reserve used for? I see in the beginning it says to reserve some of the pineapple juice but I do not see where you add it in later on.

    Reply
    • Michele says

      October 22, 2024 at 7:27 pm

      Hi Kendra,

      Thanks for your question. The 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice is added at the same time as the pineapple. I updated the instructions to indicate that. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

      Thanks,

      Michele

      Reply
  11. Karen says

    April 16, 2025 at 6:11 pm

    Is there a way to make this dish Gluten free?

    Reply
    • Michele says

      April 16, 2025 at 8:39 pm

      Hi Karen,

      Yes, you can substitute gluten flour for AP flour and use gluten free crackers instead.

      Thanks,

      Michele

      Reply
5 from 10 votes

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Hi, I’m Michele, a home cook with 20+ years experience. I created Flavor Mosaic as a place to share our favorite fast, easy, and flavorful creative recipes with bold flavors, including Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes.
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