This southern pineapple cheese casserole recipe has been a staple at family gatherings my whole life. Although the flavor combination seems slightly unhinged, it's a totally delicious side dish that will have you coming back for seconds!
What is this southern side dish?
This southern pineapple casserole recipe is one of those retro dishes that is still totally delicious.
This strange dish features simple ingredients like sweet pineapple and savory cheddar cheese. It's also got a little bit of flour and sugar to hold it all together.
The casserole is topped with buttery cracker crumbs, melted butter, a little bit of pineapple juice. It's all then baked to golden brown perfection.
At first bite, your brain might be like wtf is happening. The crunchy top perfectly contrasts with creamy cheese and pineapple tidbits which makes it the perfect side dish.
Traditionally, pineapple cheese casserole is served during holiday meals like Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas. But it's also perfect for easter dinner with a big ole' holiday ham.
And best of all, you can serve this southern dish hot or at room temperature.
Why You'll Love it
If you've never had this easy recipe before, then get ready!
My family is obsessed with the sweet and savory flavors of this easy pineapple cheese casserole so we serve it year round at BBQs, birthday parties, Mother's Day, and more.
You can also add a scoop of ice cream to this delicious recipe to make it the perfect summertime dessert.
And even though it's a strange combination of flavors, it's still got that perfect balance that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Canned Pineapple & its Juice: My mom always uses canned pineapple tidbits but you can absolutely switch it. I've seen some people use a mix of drained pineapple chunks and crushed pineapple. If you're using fresh pineapple, you won't have the pineapple juice for the crust but I don't think that's that big of a deal. it will still be delicious even without the pineapple flavor on top.
- Cheese: A chunk of sharp cheddar cheese is ideal in this recipe. But you could absolutely use pre-shredded cheese to make your life easier! Since the pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agent, the casserole won't get as creamy but I don't think it really makes that much of a difference. It's just slightly different texturally. I've also seen people use cream cheese but I haven't tried that -- any kind of creamy cheese sounds delicious though!
- Flour: All purpose flour is used to thicken up the recipe. I haven't experimented with anything else but I don't see why almond flour or corn starch couldn't work in its place.
- Sugar: This southern pineapple casserole recipe typically uses white sugar. However, my mom has always used demerara sugar (aka sugar in the raw) but you could definitely switch it out for white sugar or brown sugar if that's what you had on hand.
- Crackers: Buttery Ritz Crackers works best but if you had another butter-flavored cracker you prefer, that's fine, too!
- Butter: I like to use salted melted butter because I think it helps balance out the sweetness of the pineapple cheese casserole.
How to make it
Making this sweet pineapple casserole is a breeze!
To begin, grab a casserole dish or a square baking dish and preheat your oven to 350F degrees.
Next drain pineapple tidbits and reserve ¼ cup of the pineapple juice. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add a third cup of flour and a half cup of sugar. Mix it up so that there are no clumps in the flour mixture.
Next, add your drained pineapple and the shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the mixing bowl and stir everything together.
Add it the cheesy pineapple mixture to the casserole dish then start on the buttery cracker topping.
Melt your butter in a small bowl. You can do this in the microwave for 30 seconds or so or on the stovetop.
While it's melting, break up the buttery ritz crackers using your hands then add to a medium bowl bowl. Drizzle the melted butter over the crushed crackers and add the pineapple juice. Stir everything up until combined.
Place the Buttery cracker crumbs on top of pineapple mixture.
Place the cheesy pineapple casserole the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the crushed crackers turn golden brown and the mixture is bubbling.
You can serve this perfect dish hot out of the oven or at room temperature.
Place any leftover pineapple casserole in an airtight container or wrap with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge.
What goes with it
If you're making this pineapple cheese casserole for a holiday dinner, try some of these tasty side dishes:
- Brown Sugar Caramelized Pineapple Easter Ham
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Potato Salad
- Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Brown Sugar
- Hot Honey Butter Skillet Corn
- Dried Beef Cheese Ball
- Almond Croissant Swirls
It's also a terrific side dish and wonderful addition to a Southern BBQ dinner. Here are some of my favorite things to serve it with:
- Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
- Tangy Coleslaw without Mayo
- Homemade Southern BBQ Sauce
- Crockpot Pulled Pork Sliders
- Southern Cornbread Salad
Recipe
My Mom's Southern Pineapple Cheese Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 20 oz cans Pineapple Tid Bits drained but juice set aside
- ½ cup Sugar in the Raw (or white sugar or brown sugar - they all work)
- ⅓ cup Flour
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 2 cups Ritz Crackers crushed
- ½ cup Salted Butter melted (1 stick)
- ¼ cup Reserved Pineapple Juice saved from the can
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F degrees.
- Drain pineapple tidbits and reserve ¼ cup of the pineapple juice. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add flour and sugar. Mix it up so that there are no clumps.
- Add drained pineapple and shredded cheese to the mixing bowl and stir everything together until combined
- Add the mixture to a casserole dish.
- Add the crushed ritz crackers to a medium sized bowl then drizzle with melted butter and add the pineapple juice. Stir everything up until combined.
- Place the buttery cracker crumbs on top of pineapple mixture and place in the oven.
- Bake 30-40 minutes or until the crushed crackers turn golden brown and the pineapple cheese mixture is bubbling. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
