This Sweet and Savory Pineapple Casserole Features… Cheddar Cheese!
Ever used cheddar cheese in a sweet dessert?!
Pineapple casserole, a popular southern-inspired potluck recipe, is made with canned pineapple, shredded cheddar cheese, and has a sweet, buttery crushed Ritz cracker topping. It can be served up alongside ham or pork chops as a sweeter side dish, or by itself as a unique dessert idea.
I had never heard of this classic recipe until recently, and have been intrigued by the idea of pineapple casserole ever since!
I’m now happy to report back, after adapting a version from this SouthernLiving.com recipe, that this idea actually makes such a yummy dish! If you’re like me and thought you’ve tried them all, this is definitely a unique casserole to make that’s surprisingly delicous and easy to put together.
The sweet pineapple pieces compliment the melted sharp cheddar cheese (yes, really!), and the crunchy cracker topping with lots of butter is delicious! I added a bit of cinnamon in the filling and topping for a yummy variation and loved it.
Hip tips for making the best pineapple casserole:
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- Cheese always seems to melt better when you shred it yourself, so I highly recommend doing that with the cheddar cheese in this recipe. It may not melt as smoothly with pre-shredded cheese.
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- You can use pineapple chunks, however in my research I found that many people preferred the softness of smaller pineapple tidbits.
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- I used a medium-sized 2-quart casserole dish, but I am sure a square 9×9 pan or similar would work too.
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- I think this would be a great grilling or camping idea if you prepped it ahead of time in a disposable pan and brought it along to cook over a campfire or grill with foil over the top!
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- To crush the Ritz crackers, I just placed them in a Ziploc bag and then used a rolling pin to crush them. You could also use a food processor briefly to crush instead.
Pineapple Casserole
yield: 8 SERVINGS
prep time: 15 MINUTES
cook time: 30 MINUTES
total time: 45 MINUTES
A sweet baked pineapple casserole with melted cheddar cheese and buttery cracker topping.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- 2- 20 oz. cans pineapple tidbits, drained with 4 tablespoons reserved juice
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- sleeve of Ritz Crackers, crushed (about 30 crackers)
Directions
1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a medium-sized casserole dish with butter.
2
In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon together.
3
Add the cheddar cheese, and stir. Add the drained canned pineapple, and stir. Pour the mixture into the casserole dish.
4
In a small bowl, combine the crushed crackers, melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and reserved pineapple liquid. Spread that mixture over the top of the casserole.
5
Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the pineapple casserole is bubbling and browned. Let cool a bit, and enjoy!
Turns out pineapple casserole tastes amazing and we all enjoyed it! 🍍
It reminds me of a fruit cobbler somewhat, and your kitchen will smell AMAZING. This is an easy-to-make holiday or party side dish to share. Even with the interesting ingredient combo, I am sold on pineapple casserole! YUM.
Check out what my teammate Jenna had to say about pineapple casserole:
“I am a huge fan of sweet and savory, and to say I loved this would be an understatement. All the kids love pineapple but only one of them likes casserole… yet they all loved this (they called it pineapple “cake”). 😂 I loved every bite of this dish and think it will be especially great for summer!”
I was scared to try it the first time I saw it, and then I was hooked.
Ha same! Thanks Tracy!
*was
This has been my family’s favorite for years!!!
I’m in the south and this is a staple at our get-togethers. Everyone loves it.
Thanks for sharing Lori!
My sister-in-law makes this and it is good. For my family, I cut the sugar in 1/2 as we find it a bit too sweet otherwise. Our recipe does not call for any cinnamon.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Same here! I always cut the sugar because the fruit itself it naturally sweet. And no cinnamon here.
Now I want to go home and make some!
I make this every year for Easter dinner. So yummy with the ham!
Yes i bet! Thanks for sharing 🙌😍