Classic Pineapple Casserole

Classic cheesy Pineapple Casserole is truly a Southern potluck favorite -- that graces the table of many Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day dinners in the South, too!

CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

I'm generally not a fan of hot pineapple. Like on pizza? -- Nope. To me, pineapple is just something that's supposed to be enjoyed cold. So the first time I encountered this Pineapple Casserole (probably needless to say), I was very skeptical.

I remember that first time well.

I had just moved from Vermont to North Carolina, started my first "real" job, and it was my first Thanksgiving away from Mom's cooking. I was super blessed, though, to be invited by my brother's mother-in-law to have Thanksgiving dinner with their (very Southern) family.

I won't go into all the Northern vs. Southern Thanksgiving-food-culture-shock I experienced that day. But one thing on the Thanksgiving table I wasn't used to was this classic Pineapple Casserole. I had never ... ever ... seen this dish before.

Not only was it hot pineapple (of which, remember, I am generally not a fan), it had cheddar cheese mixed with the pineapple! Cheddar cheese and pineapple?? -- I remember thinking, as I took a scoop so as not to be rude, "Oh, my, this is not going to go well."

But much to my shock and dismay, that crazy-to-me Pineapple Casserole was actually good! I mean seriously, I didn't think there was any way in the world I would like a casserole based around cheesy hot pineapple. But alas, I do.

And turns out, a lot of other people like it, too.

This easy-to-whip up, quick-to-fix dish just so happens to be a true Southern potluck favorite, turning up at almost every church and family-gathering function. And Pineapple Casserole is always a crowd-pleaser. Always.

And when paired with a simple ham steak, baked pork chop, or grilled chicken breast, classic Pineapple Casserole helps get a delicious meal on the table at home in no time flat.

A true Southern potluck favorite, Pineapple Casserole is known to grace the table of many Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day dinners in the South, too!

What's to Love About This Recipe?

• A Southern classic - A true Southern potluck favorite, Pineapple Casserole is known to grace the table of many Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day dinners in the South, too!
• Full of flavor - This tasty combination of sweetened pineapple, cheese, and cracker crumb topping is loaded with fabulous flavor. 
• Just 6 ingredients - No long list of ingredients here. It takes just 6 simple ingredients to whip up a pan of classic Pineapple Casserole.
• Super easy to make - Stir together ingredients, sprinkle with crumb topping, and bake. -- That's truly all it takes to whip up this classic favorite.

Classic Pineapple Casserole Ingredients:

It takes just 6 simple ingredients to make classic Pineapple Casserole. To whip up a pan, you'll need:

• Canned chunk pineapple - The star ingredient of the juice. Choose pineapple canned in juice, with no sugar added.

• Granulated sugar - Sweetens the casserole's pineapple base and enhances its fabulous flavor.

• Self-rising flour - Thickens the juice released from the pineapple as the casserole bakes, which gives a nice texture and keeps the casserole from becoming too runny.

• Grated sharp cheddar cheese - Grate your own cheddar from a block, rather than using packaged pre-shredded, for the best flavor and texture result.

• Ritz crackers - Crumbled Ritz crackers create the crunchy crumb topping for the casserole. You'll need approximately 1 sleeve of crackers. While Ritz are traditional, Keebler Townhouse or Club crackers could work, as well.

• Butter - One stick of butter, melted, finishes off the casserole's crumb topping. Choose unsalted butter, as the crackers of the topping already contain the topping's needed saltiness.

How to Make Pineapple Casserole:

Classic Pineapple Casserole is super easy to make. Just a little stirring, sprinkling of a cracker crumb topping, and baking is all it takes.

To get a panful started, first combine canned chunk pineapple with some self-rising flour, granulated sugar, and grated cheddar cheese. Keep in mind, while you can certainly use packaged pre-shredded cheese, grate your own cheddar from a block for the best flavor and texture result.

Spoon the pineapple mixture into a baking dish.

Then mix up a crumb topping with crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter.

Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the pineapple mixture.

Pop the pan in the oven an bake the casserole until it's nice and golden.

Then you've got yourself a pan of crowd-favorite classic Pineapple Casserole, ready to serve up paired beautifully alongside baked ham or turkey. Or pork. Or chicken. -- You name it.

But if you're skeptical, like me? -- Don't be afraid! Give the pineapple and cheese combination of classic Pineapple Casserole a chance. Because also like me, you may just be pleasantly surprised by this quick-fix favorite.

Check out these other classic Southern sides:

• Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
• Sweet Potato Pie
• New Year's Day Black-Eyed Peas
• Vidalia Onion Casserole
• How to Cook Collard Greens
• Southern Collard Greens
• Collards & Cabbage Mixed Greens
• Southern Cornbread Dressing
• Spicy Pickled Okra
• Fritter-Fried Okra
• Southern Deviled Eggs
• More side dishes

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!

pineapple casserole recipe, baked pineapple, Southern pineapple casserole, how to make pineapple casserole

Side Dishes

Yield: 8-10 Servings

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Classic Pineapple Casserole

Classic cheesy Pineapple Casserole is truly a Southern potluck favorite ~ that graces the table of many Thanksgiving and Christmas day dinners in the South, too!

prep time: 10 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 40 M

ingredients:

• 2 (20 oz.) cans chunk pineapple in juice (no sugar added), well drained
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 6 T. self-rising flour
• 2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 c. crumbled Ritz crackers (approximately 1 sleeve)
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted

instructions:

How to cook Classic Pineapple Casserole

1. Mix together drained pineapple, sugar, flour, and cheese. Pour into an 8x8" baking dish lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine Ritz cracker crumbs and melted margarine, tossing with a fork to moisten all the crumbs. Top the pineapple mixture evenly with the cracker crumb mixture.
3. Bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes until heated through.

https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2013/09/classic-pineapple-casserole-country.html

Created using The Recipes Generator

CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

This post is linked with Weekend Potluck.