This Pineapple Cheese Casserole with a buttery Ritz cracker topping might just be the next big hit at your holiday get-together! It's a sweet and savory side dish made with juicy pineapple, tangy cheddar cheese, and a crispy, salty cracker topping.
In case you didn't know, pineapple and cheese make an unexpectedly delightful combination! The sweetness of the pineapple with tangy cheddar and a buttery salty cracker topping makes your taste buds go wild (honestly, it's hard to stop eating it!).
Quick Look: Pineapple Cheese Casserole
- ⏲️Ready in: 30 minutes
- 👪Serves: 6-8
- 🥘Key Ingredients: Pineapple chunks, cheddar cheese, flour, sugar, Ritz crackers, butter
- 🍳Method: Oven
- ⭐Difficulty: Easy
- 👩🍳Texture/Flavor: Sweet and tangy pineapple, savory cheddar, with a buttery, crispy topping
- ☀️Best For: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday meals
- ✅Why You'll Love It: Only 6 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep
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If you love sweet and savory holiday sides, try my Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole next. It has a creamy sweet potato filling topped with a crispy brown sugar pecan topping.
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Ingredients You'll Need
Pineapple Cheese Casserole has only 6 ingredients!
Pineapple Chunks - canned pineapple chunks are the star of this casserole! They're sweet, juicy, and delicious with the cheddar cheese and buttery cracker topping.
Shredded Cheese - there's just something delicious about melty cheddar cheese with sweet pineapple and salty Ritz crackers! I prefer sharp cheddar for even more flavor..
Flour and Sugar - these combine with the pineapple juice to make a sweet sauce that coats the pineapple and cheese..
Ritz Crackers - who can't get enough Ritz crackers? Use the rest of those Ritz crackers for my Ritz Cracker Meatloaf or as a topping for Cheesy Green Bean Casserole!
Butter - you'll melt the butter and pour it over the Ritz cracker crumbs for that signature crispy buttery topping! I use salted butter for this recipe.
Ingredients Substitutions and Additions
- Some recipes use pineapple tidbits instead of chunks if you prefer smaller pieces.
- I do not recommend using fresh pineapple. Stick with canned for this recipe.
- You can use sharp cheddar cheese or mild; I prefer sharp for this recipe.
How to Make Pineapple Cheese Casserole
Photo 1 - In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and pineapple juice.
Photo 2 - Fold in the cheese and pineapple chunks.
Photo 3 - Spread the pineapple mixture into a pie plate.
Photo 4 - Sprinkle with crushed Ritz crackers then spoon melted butter all over the crackers.
Photo 5 - Bake for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!
Anne's Recipe Tips
- Drain the pineapple really well. Too much pineapple juice can make the casserole watery.
- Don't overbake it. Take the casserole out when the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted. You want the inside hot and creamy, not dried out.
How to Crush Ritz Crackers
I like to crush the Ritz crackers with my fingers while they're still in the sleeve. I just run my fingers up and down the sleeve until they're crushed. Nice and easy, right!
What to Serve With It
Pineapple Cheese Casserole is especially delicious with ham, so I love serving it with my Marmalade Glazed Ham.
For Thanksgiving, pair it with Thanksgiving Chicken or Southern Cornbread Dressing. Add Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Southern Mac and Cheese for a holiday meal everyone will look forward to.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftovers covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I love this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids (affiliate link).
Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Pineapple Cheese Casserole FAQs
I don't recommend fresh pineapple for this recipe. I use canned pineapple because it gives me the flavor and texture I want for this casserole.
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, refrigerate it, and bake it when ready to serve.
I prefer to use a standard size pie plate, but you can also use a 9-inch square or 1-½ quart baking dish.
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Recipe
Pineapple Cheese Casserole
Equipment
- pie plate I prefer to use a pie plate but you can also use a 9-inch square or 1-½ quart baking dish.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 20 oz canned pineapple chunks in juice (reserve juice)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended) shred your own for best flavor and texture
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs about 20 crackers
Instructions
- For the best results, please read over the instructions before you begin the recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a standard size pie plate with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar and flour. Stir in 3 tablespoons of reserved juice until smooth.
- Fold in cheese and pineapple chunks. Blend well.
- Spread the pineapple mixture evenly into the pie plate.
- Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the pineapple mixture. Spoon melted butter all over the crushed crackers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crackers are browned and crispy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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