Description
This Southern Pineapple Casserole is a delightful combination of sweet pineapple, sharp cheddar cheese, and a crunchy cracker topping seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a sweet-savory treat, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to golden perfection in just under an hour.
Ingredients
Filling
- 40 ounces canned pineapple chunks (drained, reserve 2 tablespoons juice from can)
- 1 cup sugar or brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1 cup crushed crackers (preferably Ritz)
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine the drained pineapple chunks, reserved pineapple juice, sugar, and flour. Toss well to evenly coat the pineapple with the sugar and flour mixture.
- Add cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until the mixture is well combined and the cheese is evenly distributed throughout.
- Transfer to dish: Pour the pineapple and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Prepare topping: In a separate small bowl, mix the crushed crackers, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Toss gently until the cracker mixture has a texture resembling wet sand.
- Top the casserole: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the pineapple mixture in the casserole dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving. It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, brown sugar can be used instead of white sugar.
- Ritz crackers provide the best texture and flavor for the topping, but other buttery crackers can be substituted.
- You can prepare this casserole a few hours ahead and refrigerate before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- Serve as a side dish to complement savory Southern meals like ham or fried chicken.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
