Description

This Old-Fashioned Pineapple Casserole is a nostalgic comfort dish featuring tender pineapple chunks layered with a sweetened thickened mixture, topped with layers of sharp cheddar cheese and buttery crushed crackers. Baked to a golden brown, this casserole balances sweet, savory, and crunchy textures, ideal as a unique side dish for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

40 ounces pineapple chunks
⅓ cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple)
5 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
1 sleeve butter crackers (such as Townhouse or Ritz)
2 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare Pineapple: Open the canned pineapple and carefully reserve 6 tablespoons of the juice. Drain the remaining juice and pour the pineapple chunks evenly into the bottom of the greased casserole dish.
Crush Crackers and Melt Butter: Crush the butter crackers into small pieces using your hands or a rolling pin. Melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then combine the crushed crackers and melted butter in a small bowl and set aside.
Make Thickened Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and the reserved 6 tablespoons of pineapple juice until thick and creamy. Pour this thickened mixture evenly over the pineapple chunks in the casserole dish.
Layer Toppings: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the thickened pineapple mixture, then evenly distribute half of the butter cracker mixture on top. Repeat by adding the remaining cheese and crushed crackers to form a double layer of cheese and cracker topping.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is a golden brown with a crispy texture.
Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve the pineapple casserole warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can substitute butter crackers with Ritz crackers if preferred.
Make sure to reserve exactly 6 tablespoons of pineapple juice for the thickening mixture to achieve the right consistency.
For a sharper flavor, use aged cheddar cheese.
This dish is best served warm fresh out of the oven.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: pineapple casserole, old-fashioned casserole, cheesy pineapple bake, comfort food side dish, baked pineapple recipe