Comfort food doesn’t get much more surprising than this Southern pineapple casserole. Made with sweet canned pineapple, sharp cheddar cheese, and a buttery cracker topping, this baked casserole is the perfect mix of sweet and savory. It’s an easy, from-scratch side dish that comes together with simple pantry ingredients and is always a hit at holiday meals, potlucks, and family dinners.
Pineapple Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers
If you’ve never tried pineapple with cheese, this casserole might surprise you. It’s one of those classic Southern dishes that sounds unusual but works every time. The combination of sweet pineapple and sharp cheddar bakes into a warm, creamy filling, while a buttery cracker topping adds just the right amount of crunch. It’s simple to make and one of those recipes people always ask about after the first bite.
Featured reader review
“This is absolutely delicious and unbelievably easy to make! A lot of other recipes for pineapple casserole have other added ingredients but this is fast and simple. New staple in my household. I took some to work and now I have two friends making it, too! Thank you!”
Claire
This pineapple casserole is a staple at Southern holiday tables and potlucks, often served alongside a slow cooked ham or a roasted turkey. It’s a great example of how simple ingredients can come together into something memorable without much effort. Around here, we have classic Southern casseroles for every occasion and ingredient, even pineapple. And the end result is always worth it.
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The balance of sweet, salty, and buttery flavors is what makes this dish stand out. The pineapple stays juicy, the cheese melts into the filling, and the cracker topping bakes up golden and crisp.
And the best part is how easy it is to put together with just a few pantry staples. It also pairs well with other classic Southern sides like creamy mashed potatoes if you’re putting together a full meal.
Tools you’ll need:
A few ingredients to grab
How to pull it together
Step 1 – Chop and drain
If using fresh pineapple, chop it into 1-inch pieces using a sharp chef’s knife. If using canned pineapple chunks, you’ll need two 8 ounce cans. Drain and reserve the juice for making soft and fluffy Hawaiian rolls, it adds great flavor to baked goods.
Step 2 – Layer
Step 3 – Make a cheese filling
Step 4 – Topping
Pineapple casserole is one of those classic Southern dishes that proves simple ingredients can come together in a surprising way. The combination of sweet pineapple, sharp cheddar, and a buttery cracker topping creates a balance of flavors and textures that’s hard to beat. It’s easy to make, works for everything from holiday meals to potlucks, and is always one of the first dishes to disappear.
Tip from my kitchen: when you’re crushing those crackers, just press down on the unopened sleeve with your palm. You’ll get nice uneven pieces that give the topping more texture.
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Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole with Cheese and Buttery Crackers
Ingredients
- 2 cups Pineapple or two 8 oz cans, drained
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- ½ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Drain pineapple and place in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch glass baking dish.
- Combine sugar, flour, and cheese and sprinkle on top of the pineapple.
- Crush crackers and place on top. Drizzle melted butter over he crumbs.
- Bake for 25 minutes until top is golden brown.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- You can use fresh or canned pineapple chunks, don’t use crushed, it will be too mushy.
- You can use sharp or mild cheddar cheese.
- You can use cheese crackers or panko crumbs instead of Ritz Crackers.
Nutrition
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Claire says
This is absolutely delicious and unbelievably easy to make! A lot of other recipes for pineapple casserole have other added ingredients but this is fast and simple. New staple in my household. I took some to work and now I have two friends making it, too! Thank you!
Barbara Curry says
Thanks for leaving a review, maybe we can convince others how great this recipe is. Most people have never tried a pineapple casserole.
Teresa says
I have eaten the pineapple and cheese casserole many times but never made it until tonight. It was super easy and delicious. Thank you Barbara for another great recipe!
Barbara Curry says
When I tell people about a pineapple casserole, they turn they’re noses up. They just don’t know what they’re missing.