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Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe

Published: Mar 7, 2021 Last Updated: Jan 19, 2023 by Marye 1228 words. | About 7 minutes to read this article.

Pineapple casserole with cheese is a southern side dish that straddles the fence between sweet and savory. It's a traditional holiday recipe, especially at Easter. Leave the chiles out if you want to but they add a nice, gentle heat. Takes just 30 minutes.
Total time 35 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Overhead view of casserole with serving removed. Text overlay for Pinterest. Pin2
Closeup of a serving of casserole showing the sticky sweet pineapple filling. Text overlay for pinning to Pinterest.

This is one of the most iconic southern side dishes you'll ever put in your mouth! It's traditionally served on holidays, especially Easter.

Next time try this creamy asparagus casserole.

Closeup of pineapple casserole with cheese. A spoon is lying on top.
This unique southern side dish recipe, like banana pudding, is sure to be on most Texas tables at Easter.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips for success
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions
  • 🎥 Video
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • 5-minute prep time!
  • Family favorite recipe - tried and tested!
  • Perfect last-minute side dish - goes so good with baked ham.

If you love the flavor of pineapple-jalapeno margaritas then you'll love this easy recipe, too!

I've taken the mouthwatering baked pineapple casserole recipe that your Memaw served every Easter and updated it with canned chiles for a gentle kick.

🧾 Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for the pineapple casserole recipe.

For this recipe you'll need: Pineapple chunks in juice, canned diced or chopped chiles, all purpose flour, sugar, cheddar cheese, butter, Ritz crackers, your favorite fat pants

  • You can leave the chiles out if you want to.
  • You can substitute bread crumbs for the Ritz crackers.
  • Some people like to use part brown sugar and part white sugar instead of all white sugar.

🔪 Instructions

Step by step images for making pineapple cheese casserole.
How to make Grandma's Pineapple Casserole, step by step!
  1. Blend the flour and sugar together in a large bowl.
  2. Combine flour mixture and the reserved pineapple juice.
  3. Add the pineapple chunks and chiles. Stir well.
  4. Spoon the pineapple mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
Steps 5-8 of making the casserole recipe.
This easy southern side dish recipe is an Easter tradition.
  1. Put the cheese on top of the pineapple mixture and set aside.
  2. Add the cracker crumbs to another bowl.
  3. Stir in the melted butter until the crackers are evenly coated.
  4. Spread the topping over the casserole. Bake until golden brown.

🥫 Storage

You can assemble pineapple casserole up to 2 days ahead of time but don't add the cracker topping until just before baking.

Leftovers should be covered with plastic wrap or put in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It doesn't freeze well at all.

💭 Tips for success

Expert Tip: 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.
  • If you do have leftovers cover with aluminum foil and reheat them in a 375F oven for about 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 minutes more until warmed through and the topping is crisp.
  • 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.
  • Serve pineapple warm or cold. It depends on your preferences. I like it hot.
  • I always use canned pineapple but you could use fresh pineapple if you wanted to.
  • Some people like sharp Cheddar cheese in this while others like mild. The sharp adds more of a salty contrast to the pineapple.

👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

What does pineapple casserole taste like?

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. Is it a dessert? Is it a side dish?

Is pineapple casserole a dessert?

No, it's definitely considered a side dish. It's the same principle as the "Jello salads" that are popular in the midwest.

What to serve with pineapple casserole?

Usually this popular southern side dish recipe is served with ham, biscuits, mashed or scalloped potatoes, and other holiday foods.

Can it be frozen?

Nope. Pineapple casserole does not freeze well!

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Clickable image of pineapple casserole goes to the YouTube video.

📚 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.
  • Fried Green Tomatoes are almost a food group of their own. They are yummy on top of hamburgers, in sandwiches, as a side dish or in a casserole.
  • Grilled Pear Salad is a delicious update on the Southern classic.
  • What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
  • Pasta con Broccoli
  • 41 Sides To Serve With Hash Brown Casserole
  • Crispy Fried Potatoes
Close up of a serving of pineapple and cheese casserole.
Gooey pineapple, crispy buttery Ritz crackers, salty cheese... this recipe has all the flavor!

What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness!  Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!

Casserole with a serving removed to show interior.
Looking for a great recipe for Easter brunch? How about this?

📞 The last word

Pineapple casserole with cheese is about to become one of your family's favorite holiday dishes if it's not already.

I know someone is going to ask if you can leave the chiles out... and my answer is yes you can.

If you must.

This is one of those classic southern recipes that will become a family tradition.

Next time try this pineapple fluff or buttermilk pie.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very close shot of pineapple casserole showing the texture of the cracker crumb topping.
4.56 from 34 votes

Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe

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Pineapple casserole with cheese is a southern side dish that straddles the fence between sweet and savory. It's a traditional holiday recipe, especially at Easter. Leave the chiles out if you want to but they add a nice, gentle heat. Takes just 30 minutes.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings:10
Calories:245
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Casserole Dish

Ingredients

  • 40 ounces pineapple chunks , 2 (20 oz)cans, drained - reserve ⅓ cup of the juice
  • 4 ounces chopped chiles, canned - chopped or diced, (or jalapenos) optional
  • 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

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F.
  • 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 pineapple chunks and chiles.
  • 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

Expert Tip: 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.
  • If you do have leftovers reheat them in a 375F oven until warmed through and the topping is crisp.
  • This does not freeze well.
  • 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.
  • Serve pineapple warm or cold. It depends on your preferences. I like it hot.
  • Some people like sharp Cheddar in this while others like mild. The sharp adds more of a salty contrast to the pineapple.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 1mg

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    First published April 19, 2019. Last updated March 19 for better images, more tips, and better readability.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbra

      March 02, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    2. Marisa F. Stewart

      April 20, 2019 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      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. ?

      Reply
      • Marye

        April 20, 2019 at 10:21 am

        I usually caramelize the pineapple by roasting first but I didn't this time

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    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

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    NY Times bestselling author. Written over 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Army veteran. Nothing fazes me & together we're going to get the kind of meals on your table that you (and your family) have been dreaming of. 

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