Pineapple Cheese Casserole. A Southern classic side dish that also doubles as a dessert. Savory Cheddar Cheese enhances the sweetness of chunk Pineapple topped with a salty butter cracker top. Yessirree!

overhead view of pineapple cheese casserole

Pineapple Cheese Casserole, an Unexpected Delight

Now, when you think of a classic Southern staple, this may not be top on your list. Oh, but that is all about to change. I have a super good friend, Elana, that introduced this sweet dish to me years ago. So she gets all of the credit.

Where did Pineapple Casserole Originate?

Truthfully, this dish has been popular for some time in the South. It may be one of our best kept secrets.

Southerners love to couple sweet and savory together. Think about that for a minute. Chicken and waffles, candied bacon, Frosted Flakes batter on fried chicken. I could go on and on. Pineapple Cheese Casserole is nothing short of glory just like all of those things.

What is Pineapple Cheese Casserole?

It is the perfect blend of savory and sweet. We give it the old Southern casserole flair by topping sweet pineapple with sharp cheddar and ritz crackers. Cover it with melted butter and you have a casserole pan of heaven!

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

There are recipes that are just expected during the Holidays like this Easy Microwave Fudge. Keeping with the tradition of things that The Buttered Family expects around the Holidays, this is one that everyone KNOWS will be on the table. Big D even has a friend who lives in South Alabama that expects one of these almost every time we see them. So let’s get to it!

How to Make Pineapple Casserole

Like any good casserole recipe, it is a dump and bake process. No strange ingredients and we get you where you need to be in a flash!

~ Ingredients ~

2 cans of chunk pineapple, drained
1 cup sugar
5 tablespoons plain flour
1 and 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup melted butter
1 sleeve of butter (I like Ritz) crackers, crumbled

~ Method ~

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Pour pineapple In a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. In a separate bowl, mix sugar and flour. Sprinkle over pineapple covering well. Sprinkle cheese on top and lastly top with crumbled crackers.
Drizzle melted butter over all careful to get all edges covered.. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until top is browned and bubbly. Serve and enjoy!

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pineapple cheese casserole on a white plate

Helpful tips for making Pineapple Cheese Casseorole

Pineapple Cheese Casserole is so very easy. During the holidays I usually have so much cooking to do, it’s recipes like this one that make cooking easier. I mix it up the night before and just pop it into the oven the day of.

I know a lot of recipes will tell you to simply use cheddar cheese. This recipe is like cheese straws and a cheese ball though. By that I mean, Sharp DOES matter. The tangy flavor of the Sharp cheddar balances out the sweet of the pineapple.

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

To Store: once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last a week in the refrigerator. Reheat in a warm oven as needed until heated through.

To Freeze: This is a personal preference, the crackers and the pineapple can get a little soggy. If you do freeze, freeze before cooking and adding the crackers and melted butter. Should stay good in the freezer for about a month. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator and cook as directed.

To Make Ahead: This is one we make the night before during the holidays. I stop with the adding of the cheese and do the crackers and butter the day I bake it. Cover and keep it in the refrigerator a day or two in advance of cooking.

Variations and Substitutions

Pineapple – using canned pears or apples is a great idea. You want to use the fruit that is packed in its own juice for optimal results
Cheese – Get crafty here, there are lots of great cheese options out there you can shred and use. Look for something that crumbles or shreds good and is tangy to offset the sweet of the pineapple and sugar. Gouda or white cheddar come to mind
Additional toppings – nuts are always a great idea. Our friends at PRIESTER’S PECANS sell some delicious pecan pieces that would do the trick here!

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