Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (2024)

Published: Last Updated: by Marye 1152 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

Southern pineapple casserole is a sweet-savory blend of sharp Cheddar cheese and sweet pineapple. It's a traditional side dish that takes just 30 minutes. Delicious with roast chicken, turkey or ham!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Jump to Recipe

This iconic side dish recipe is not well known outside the South but it sure should be! One bite and you'll understand why.

Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (1)
Table of Contents
  • The whole family loved it
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 How to store pineapple casserole leftovers
  • 💭 Tips for success
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions
  • 🎥 Video
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🫶 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

The whole family loved it

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.

Barbra

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Who doesn't love a delicious side dish with a 5 minute prep time? Especially around the holidays?
  • 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.
  • Perfect last-minute side - goes so good with baked ham and roast turkey.

This is the mouthwatering baked pineapple casserole recipe that your Memaw served every Easter!

Next time try this creamy asparagus casserole.

🧾 Ingredients

Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (2)

📖Variations

  • You can substitute bread crumbs for the Ritz crackers.
  • Any butter cracker will work in place of Ritz.
  • Some people like to use part brown sugar and part white sugar instead of all white sugar.
  • Some people like sharp Cheddar cheese in this while others like mild. The sharp adds more of a salty contrast to the pineapple.
  • 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.
  • I like this with a 4-ounce can of diced chiles added in. If you like pineapple jalapeno margaritas try it.
  • Add in a cup of chopped, toasted pecans

🔪 Instructions

  1. Blend the flour and sugar together in a large bowl. Whisk in the reserved pineapple juice.
  2. Add the pineapple chunks. Stir well.
  3. Spoon the pineapple mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top with cheese.
  4. Stir in the melted butter into the cracker crumbs until the crackers are evenly coated. Spread the topping over the casserole. Bake until golden brown.

🥫 How to store pineapple casserole leftovers

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

Cover leftovers with plastic wrap or put in an airtight container and keep 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.
  • Serve pineapple casserole 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.

👩🏻‍🍳 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 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?

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

Can it be frozen?

Nope. Pineapple casserole does not freeze well! The sauce separates.

🎥 Video

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.
  • Asparagus Lemon Garlic Pasta
  • Oven Roasted Asparagus
  • Asparagus Tart with Puff Pastry
  • Is It Safe to Eat Raw Asparagus?

See more Side Dish Recipes →

Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (8)

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Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (9)

🫶 Restless Chipotle recommends

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This set of casserole dishes will handle ALL of your holiday casseroles. Plus, since they're white, they'll go with any holiday or occasion.

📞 The last word

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

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.

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

📖 Recipe

Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (10)

4.57 from 39 votes

Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe

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Southern pineapple casserole is a sweet-savory blend of sharp Cheddar cheese and sweet pineapple. It's a traditional side dish that takes just 30 minutes. Delicious with roast chicken, turkey or ham!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American - Southern

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings:10

Calories:242

Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 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

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.

  • 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 Tips:

  • I like to add 4 ounces of diced chiles in with the pineapple.
  • 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.

You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 1mg

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.

First published April 19, 2019. Last updated November 10, 2023 for better images and editorial improvements.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them. She's been around the culinary block more than once, turning simple ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces. With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of wit, she makes cooking feel like a piece of cake (which she can also teach you to bake perfectly). When she's not conjuring up delicious dishes, you might find her sharing laughs with her family, reading by the fire, or scribbling down her next big recipe idea. Marye believes that a good meal and a hearty laugh are the best parts of life. 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

    Leave a Reply

  1. Terri H Cogdill

    Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (15)
    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!

    Reply

  2. PJW

    Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (16)
    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.

    Reply

  3. Barbra

    Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (17)
    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

  4. Marisa F. Stewart

    Classic Southern Pineapple Casserole (Easy Recipe) - Restless Chipotle (18)
    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 co*ke -- I'd never heard of it. And I would have thought you'd have done it with Dr. Pepper. ?

    Reply

    • Marye

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

      Reply

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