If you’ve been following our recipes for very long, you’ve probably noticed that we’re big pineapple fans around here. From savory main dishes to desserts to afternoon snacks, we think most things are made better with the sweet tang of pineapple. If you feel similarly then I’m confident you will love this Pineapple Bake as much as we do! The sweet citrus flavor is truly front and center here. It makes for a perfect side dish or after dinner treat with a scoop of ice cream!

A sweet-and-savory mashup of juicy pineapple chunks and sharp cheese with a buttery, crunchy topping, Pineapple Casserole sounds bizarre but it’s absolutely delicious, especially with turkey and ham!

Pineapple casserole is a traditional dish in the South, like Squash Casserole and Shrimp and Grits.

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I thought the combination of pineapple and cheese sounded too weird to be true, but it doesn’t just work—it triumphs.

Warm pineapple and cheese create a surprisingly scrumptious pairing that goes incredibly well with meat. (Think pineapple glazed ham, Hawaiian pizza, or pairing apples with cheese).

Topped with buttery cracker crumbs, this pineapple dish tastes rich, lightly sweet and savory, and comforting.

In other words, it is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and any upcoming holiday that gives you a reason to serve it (with your favorite Healthy Green Bean Casserole perhaps?).

Drain the Pineapple Well. Reserve the juice needed for the topping, then really drain out the rest of the liquid—pouring the pineapple into a colander helps. The pineapple will release juices as it bakes, so if you start out with extra juice in the baking dish, you’ll end up with a soupy casserole.
Shred Your Own Cheese. This makes all the difference! Shredding your own cheese will make it melt much more smoothly; I also think cheese off the block is more flavorful. The pre-shredded bags of cheese at the grocery store have an anti-caking agent added to them that keeps them from clumping, but also affects how they melt.

Broil the Top, If Needed. Ovens are all different! You may get a golden brown crumb without broiling, but if the crackers are looking a bit pale after the casserole has finished cooking, you can turn on the broiler for a minute or two. Keep close watch to make sure the topping doesn’t burn—it can happen fast!
Change Up the Topping. If you prefer to make pineapple casserole without Ritz, omit the crackers and use extra panko. If you prefer a crisp, chunky topping, try making pineapple casserole with small, fairly dry bread cubes instead (I’d also increase the butter and pineapple juice a bit, as the bread will soak up more moisture).

Ingredients

1 20oz can crushed pineapple with juice
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 ½ tablespoons butter, sliced into pats
1 teaspoon cinnamon

How To Make The Best Pineapple Bake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×9 baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine pineapple, sugar, eggs, cornstarch, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
Transfer mixture to the prepared baking pan and top with the butter pans and cinnamon.
Bake for 45 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden.