Old Fashioned Baked Pineapple Casserole

Old Fashioned baked Pineapple Casserole with cheese and Ritz crackers has a buttery topping and sweet & cheesy filling. An easy Southern casserole great for brunch, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter!

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Easy Baked Pineapple Casserole

Any fans of sweet and savory? Me! You? Come join me, friends, for one of the easiest baked casserole recipes ever. Since the holidays are one of the most trying times to get your cooking act together, it’s extra difficult to make something impressive. Enter: this easy to make pineapple cheese casserole! Juicy and tender on the inside with melted cheese and sweet pineapples, it’s topped with a crispy, buttery cracker crust for a flavor combo that 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.

This sweet and savory combo, while sounding a bit odd, is a delicious combination that surprises and delights you. The tangy cheesiness of sharp cheddar cheese goes so well with sweet, tart pineapples and buttery cracker topping.

Ingredients for Pineapple Casserole with Cheese and Ritz Crackers

• 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 baked pineapple casserole with cheese 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 Baked Pineapple Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8-inch square casserole dish.
2. 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.

2. Spoon this pineapple and cheese mixture into the baking dish and smooth it out into an even layer. In a medium bowl, stir together crackers, Panko crumbs, 3 tablespoons pineapple juice, and melted butter.

4. Sprinkle the buttery crumb topping evenly over the pineapple and cheese mixture. Bake for about 30 minutes, until golden brown on top. Enjoy this delicious recipe for pineapple casserole with Ritz crackers!

Make Ahead: Old Fashioned Baked Pineapple Casserole

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 (subbing the amount of Panko left out) if that’s all you have. Just remember, the Panko makes this baked pineapple casserole topping crisper and yummier!

Tools You Need

• 8-inch casserole dish
• Panko crumbs
• Automatic can opener (amazing)

Want More?

For more delicious recipe ideas, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. If you’ve tried this recipe, take a pic and tag us on Instagram using #beamingbaker. We can’t wait to see it! Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

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Also try my pineapple fluff, Snickers salad, tomato sandwich, Brussel sprouts recipe and grape salad.

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