Pineapple Casserole is a traditional and distinctive southern facet dish. Pineapple, crackers and cheese (sure, cheese!) mix to make the tastiest facet dish that could be a must-make through the holidays!
A UNIQUE SOUTHERN SIDE DISH
Pineapple Casserole is a traditional southern facet dish at a number of vacation meals. Pineapple, crackers and cheese mix to make the tastiest facet to ham! Should you’ve by no means eaten this explicit dish of Southern Pineapple Casserole earlier than, then likelihood is, you most likely aren’t from the South however I promise it’ll convert you! It may be used as a facet dish or perhaps a dessert.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Should you’ve by no means heard of pineapple casserole earlier than, you’ll most likely assume it’s the weirdest mixture of substances you ever heard of. It’s a conventional Southern dish made with pineapple, cheese, Ritz crackers and in my recipe, we use pineapple Jell-O!
Usually that is eaten as a facet dish with ham. It’s a candy dish so that you’d assume it was dessert however it’s served as a facet dish. I discover most individuals are likely to eat it on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
You possibly can really put together this and bake it earlier than you want it then cowl and refrigerate. Then simply reheat (both within the oven or microwave.) I wouldn’t do it greater than a day upfront.
Leftovers must be coated and refrigerated and can last as long as 3 days. This can be frozen. Cowl nicely to guard in opposition to freezer burn and it could possibly keep frozen as much as 3 months.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- sugar – I’ve by no means tried this with a sugar substitute however I’m certain it may work.
- pineapple Jell-O – Jell-O model really calls it “island pineapple” Walmart has their very own Nice Worth model of pineapple gelatin. Should you can’t discover pineapple, you can all the time go together with lemon however pineapple goes to clearly provide the most pineapple taste.
- corn starch – that is going to assist thicken the combination.
- pineapple tidbits or chunks (in 100% juice) – it must be in juice not heavy syrup since you’ll want the juice for the topping.
- sharp cheddar cheese – that is the bizarre ingredient that throws individuals off. You don’t really style the cheese as a separate ingredient. It simply cuts the general sweetness and provides a depth of taste.
- Ritz crackers – It’s historically made with Ritz crackers however I’m certain you can make it with membership crackers in the event you choose these.
- salted butter – in the event you solely have unsalted butter, add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the melted butter. Once more, we would like a contact of saltiness to chop via the general sweetness of the recipe (though it gained’t be salty in any respect.)
- reserved pineapple juice – that is used within the topping which is why it’s important to buy pineapple tidbits in juice not heavy syrup.

HOW TO MAKE PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE:
Preheat oven to 350F levels. Spray an 8×8-inch baking (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium pot over medium warmth, whisk collectively water, sugar, 3 Tablespoons of pineapple Jell-O, and 3 Tablespoons corn starch till totally mixed and also you get all of the lumps out.
Flip warmth as much as excessive and let combination to return to a boil and thicken. Proceed to whisk. As soon as thickened take off warmth. Drain pineapple tidbits totally, setting apart 1/2 cup of the juice. Add drained tidbits to the pot and stir.

Whereas pineapple combination is cooling, start making topping. In a big Ziploc bag, finely crush Ritz crackers. Add crackers, melted butter and 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice right into a medium bowl and stir till mixed. It should appear moist.

Add shredded cheese to cooled pineapple combination and pour into baking dish. Drop and gently unfold Ritz cracker topping over pineapple combination.

Bake in oven for about 30-35 minutes (till topping is golden brown.)

Permit it to chill for a number of minutes earlier than serving. It’s meant to be served heat.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Initially revealed: March 2013
Pictures up to date and republished: November 2023

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Preheat oven to 350F levels. Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a medium pot over medium warmth, whisk collectively 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 3 Tablespoons pineapple Jell-O and 3 Tablespoons corn starch till totally mixed and also you get all of the lumps out.
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Flip warmth as much as excessive and let combination to return to a boil and thicken. Proceed to whisk. As soon as thickened, take off warmth.
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Drain 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits or chunks (in 100% juice) totally, setting apart 1/2 cup of the juice. Add drained pineapple to pot and stir.
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In a big Ziploc bag, finely crush 1 1/2 sleeves (45) Ritz crackers.
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Add crushed crackers, 1/2 stick salted butter (1/4 cup), melted and 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice right into a medium bowl and stir till mixed.
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Add 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese to cooled pineapple combination in pan.
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Then pour combination into ready baking dish.
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Unfold Ritz cracker topping over pineapple combination.
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Bake in oven for about 30-35 minutes (till topping is golden brown.)
- Please discuss with my FAQ’s (Often Requested Questions) and ingredient record above for different substitutions or for the solutions to the commonest questions.
- It MUST be pineapple in 100% juice NOT heavy syrup.
Energy: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fats: 6g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Ldl cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 0.1mg
“The Nation Prepare dinner” shouldn’t be a dietician or nutritionist, and any dietary data shared is an estimate. If calorie depend and different dietary values are vital to you, we advocate operating the substances via whichever on-line dietary calculator you favor. Energy and different dietary values can fluctuate fairly a bit relying on which manufacturers have been used.