First published April 19, 2019. Last updated April 23, 2025 for editorial improvements.
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Sweet meets savory in the most Southern way possible with this pineapple casserole-aka the dish that confuses the uninitiated and delights Southern grandmas in equal measure. If you've never had pineapple baked with buttery Ritz crackers and sharp cheddar you've been missing out on a full-blown church potluck revelation.
Next time try this creamy asparagus casserole.
📖 Ingredients
Some people like to substitute bread crumbs for the Ritz crackers but I don't think it gives enough of that buttery flavor we love. Once in awhile I'll add chopped, toasted pecans to the cracker crumbs - and that's amazing!
🔪 How to make pineapple casserole
Southern pineapple casserole is super-easy to toss together. You'll just blend the flour and sugar together in a large bowl and whisk in the reserved pineapple juice. Then stir in the pineapple chunks - you can use either chunks or crushed, or a combination of both. Add to your casserole dish, top with cheese and cracker crumbs and bake!
📖 Recipe
Southern Pineapple Casserole
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- 40 ounces pineapple chunks , 2 (20 oz)cans, drained - reserve ⅓ cup of the juice
- 1-⅓ cups sugar
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 3.5 ounces Ritz crackers, 1 sleeve, coarsely crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Drain pineapple chunks, reserving ⅓ cup of the juice, and set aside.
- Generously butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
- Blend the flour and sugar together in a large bowl.
- Combine flour mixture and the reserved pineapple juice.
- Add the drained pineapple chunks.
- Stir well.
- Spoon the pineapple mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with the cheese and set aside.
- Add the crushed crackers to another bowl.
- Stir in the melted butter until the crackers are evenly coated.
- Spread the topping over the casserole.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Just a warning - if you don't like things "southern sweet" cut back to about 1 cup of sugar.
- This is best the day it is made.
- Block cheese that you shred yourself melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- You can use 1 can of pineapple chunks and 1 can of crushed pineapple if you wish. It gives it a different texture. I like them both equally.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
👩🏻🍳 Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
This easy casserole is sweet and savory, salty and rich... in fact, the reason it's so addictive is that your brain doesn't quite know where to categorize it.
Nope. Pineapple casserole does not freeze well! The sauce separates.
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📚 Related recipes
Southern comfort food is in a class of its own - most people would agree that there is absolutely nothing like it anywhere. Here are some of my all-time favorites.
- Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese is another casserole that seems to find its way to every church potluck and every holiday table.
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese uses beer to compliment the cheddar and add depth to the flavor. Baked right in an iron skillet ... it's so good.
- Corn Pudding is usually reserved for Thanksgiving but then you have to ask yourself why you're callously neglecting your tastebuds.
- Grilled Pear Salad is a delicious update on the Southern classic.
Terri H Cogdill says
We call this "Cheezy Pineapple" in NC and my husband would give it 6 stars if the chart would allow! I use between 1/2-3/4c sugar which still gives plenty of sweetness and changed to the pineapple tidbits which for some reason seems to hold all the flavors better🤔. A wonderful treat that everyone loves!
PJW says
Greetings from the Florida panhandle! I made and brought this to a recent family reunion. A cousin raised here married then moved to Michigan - she brought her whole family down- 6 grandchildren to meet the cousins here. This dish was a hit! I just sent the link to this page up to Michigan ;). The chilies were a perfect touch. Easter blessings to you all.
Barbra says
After reading the ingredients I had to try it out of curiosity, and wow. The whole family loved it. Thank you so much. It's a keeper.
Marisa F. Stewart says
We've got to make this!! It is so unusual and I bet our kids would love it!! BTW, Jim, when he was young, did put peanuts in his coke -- I'd never heard of it. And I would have thought you'd have done it with Dr. Pepper. ?
Marye says
I usually caramelize the pineapple by roasting first but I didn't this time