This pineapple casserole is a classic Southern side dish that combines juicy pineapple, sharp cheddar cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping in one sweet-and-savory bake. If you’ve never tried it before, this recipe is a great introduction to a holiday favorite that is easy to make and surprisingly crowd-pleasing.
Why This Recipe Works
- Two types of pineapple for the best texture – Crushed pineapple brings juicy sweetness to every bite, while pineapple chunks give the casserole that classic chunky texture.
- Sharp cheddar keeps it from tasting one-note sweet – The salty tang of cheddar balances the sugar and pineapple so the casserole tastes sweet-savory, not dessert-like.
- Ritz cracker topping adds buttery crunch – That crispy, salty topping is what makes pineapple casserole unmistakably pineapple casserole.
- Simple ingredients, classic flavor – No fussy extras, just the old-fashioned Southern combination people expect.
What is Pineapple Casserole?
Pineapple casserole is a classic Southern side dish that combines canned pineapple, cheddar cheese, sugar and a buttery cracker topping. Everything gets baked until hot and bubbly.
This dish is especially popular around Easter, Christmas, and ham dinners because it fits that sweet-savory holiday side dish tradition.
What Makes This Recipe Different
Unlike some versions that lean overly sweet or turn watery after baking, this recipe uses drained pineapple chunks for texture, crushed pineapple with juice for moisture, and sharp cheddar for balance. The result is a classic Southern pineapple casserole that tastes rich and buttery without becoming cloying.
Pineapple Casserole Ingredients
You only need a short list of ingredients to make this classic pineapple casserole recipe. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Pineapple – Bet you didn’t see that one coming! We use both pineapple chunks and crushed pineapple with the juice to really get that pineapple flavor and texture throughout.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded melts better and tastes bolder than bagged shredded cheese.
- Crushed pineapple in juice – The juice helps create the saucy base.
- Pineapple chunks, drained – Gives the casserole structure without making it watery.
- Ritz crackers – Classic buttery cracker flavor; don’t swap for plain saltines unless you absolutely have to.
- Maraschino cherries – Optional garnish for the retro Southern look
How to Make Pineapple Casserole (Step-by-Step)
Making this southern classic doesn’t get much easier! Just follow these simple steps.
- Prepare oven and casserole dish. Preheat the oven and grease a casserole dish with cold butter, set aside.
- Combine pineapple, cheese, sugar and flour. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the drained pineapple chunks, crushed pineapple with juice, shredded cheddar cheese, sugar and flour until evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
- Top pineapple mixture with crushed crackers. Top the mixture with chopped Ritz crackers. Melt the unsalted butter in the microwave and drizzle over cracker topping.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Top with a cherry. If desired, top each slice with a stemmed maraschino cherry.
Make it A Meal
Because this pineapple casserole is usually served around the holidays- especially Easter, it’s often served with things like ham, pork roast or roast turkey. But of course, you can serve it with any main dish your heart desires.
In sticking with the holiday theme, I generally like to serve this side alongside other holiday side dishes like Classic Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole or Mashed Potatoes.
Chef Tips for the Best Pineapple Casserole
Whipping up this sweet and savory side is easy as pie, but I do have a few tips to point you in the right direction.
- Use freshly shredded cheese – Freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly and usually tastes better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Let it rest before serving – A short rest helps the filling settle and makes it easier to spoon and serve.
- Drain the chunks, not the crushed – Keeping the crushed pineapple juice helps create the right filling consistency, while draining the chunks prevents the casserole from becoming too wet.
Commonly Asked Questions
Sharp cheddar adds saltiness and tang, which balances the sweetness of the pineapple and sugar. It sounds odd until you taste it, then suddenly it makes all kinds of sense.
Traditionally, it’s served as a side dish, especially with ham or other holiday mains. That said, it definitely walks the sweet-savory line.
Drain the pineapple chunks well, keep only the crushed pineapple juice called for, and avoid overloading the dish with extra fruit.
Yes, and honestly that’s the classic move here. Canned pineapple gives the most consistent sweetness and texture. You won’t get the same results with fresh and yes, this is one of the few times that I will tell you this!
Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing
Storage: Store leftover pineapple casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Because it contains fruit, cheese, and butter, it should be refrigerated promptly after serving.
Freezing: Pineapple casserole can be frozen, though the topping may lose some crispness after thawing. For best results, freeze the casserole before baking or freeze the filling and add a fresh cracker topping before baking later.
If freezing after baking, cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Because the cracker topping is the most texture-sensitive part, a fresh topping usually gives the best final result.
More Cheesy Side Dishes
Once you’ve got the main dish planned, you need one or two equally delicious side dishes to go with it!
Pineapple Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 ounces canned pineapple chunks , drained
- 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple , with juice
- 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese , freshly shredded
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , plus more for greasing
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (32 crackers) , coarsely chopped
- Stemmed maraschino cherries , for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8X8 or 1 ½ quart casserole dish with cold butter, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the drained 20 ounces canned pineapple chunks, 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple with juice, shredded 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup flour until evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
- Top the mixture with chopped 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (32 crackers). Melt the ¼ cup unsalted butter in the microwave and drizzle over cracker topping.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- If desired, top each slice with a stemmed maraschino cherry.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
