Description
Southern comfort meets sweet-savory charm in this classic Pineapple Cheese Casserole that combines tropical fruit, cheddar, and buttery cracker crumbs. Rich, creamy layers promise a delightful side dish sure to become your family’s new favorite recipe companion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 cans (20 ounces/567 grams each) pineapple chunks, drained
- 6 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserved)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup crushed butter crackers
Finishing Ingredients:
- 8 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a casserole dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a mixing bowl, blend sugar, flour, and grated cheese until evenly combined, then gently fold in well-drained pineapple chunks to create a smooth base mixture.
- Prepare the cracker topping by crushing crackers into fine crumbs and mixing with melted butter and a splash of reserved pineapple juice to achieve a moist, cohesive texture.
- Transfer the pineapple and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom to ensure consistent flavor distribution.
- Sprinkle the prepared cracker crumb mixture uniformly over the pineapple layer, creating a golden, crunchy topping that will provide textural contrast.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and bubbling edges that indicate the dish is perfectly cooked.
Notes
- Choose ripe, sweet pineapple for the best flavor and natural sweetness in the casserole.
- Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the dish soggy and ensure a perfect texture.
- Try different cracker types like butter crackers or whole wheat for varied crunch and flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free crackers to make the dish accessible to more dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 356
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 348 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg