Description
Pineapple Casserole from Paula Deen brings Southern comfort straight to your dinner table with sweet, cheesy goodness that melts hearts faster than butter. Creamy cheese and juicy pineapple chunks bake together under a golden cracker topping, creating a side dish that feels like a warm family hug.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (20 oz) cans crushed pineapple
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup sugar
Binding/Topping Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a steady 350°F and grab a standard 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare your casserole workspace.
- Open the two 20-oz cans of crushed pineapple and completely drain the liquid, saving about ¼ cup of juice for potential moisture adjustment.
- Combine the drained pineapple with 1 full cup of sugar and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mixing thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the pineapple, sugar, and cheese mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
- Crush 1 cup of Ritz crackers into fine crumbs, breaking them down until they reach a consistent texture for optimal coverage.
- Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave, ensuring it’s completely liquefied and smooth.
- Pour the melted butter over the crushed Ritz crackers, stirring until every crumb is coated and glistening with butter.
- Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture across the top of the pineapple layer, creating a complete and even golden-brown topping.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for exactly 30 minutes until the top turns a rich, crispy golden brown.
Notes
- Save some of the reserved pineapple juice to keep the casserole moist if it seems dry during baking.
- Ritz crackers work best for the topping, creating a perfect buttery and crispy crunch that complements the sweet pineapple.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular crackers with gluten-free alternatives like crushed rice crackers or cornflakes.
- Reduce sugar by half if your pineapple is very sweet, and taste the mixture before baking to adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 438
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 254 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 44 mg