Name: Pineapple Casserole (+Video)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup sugar; 3 Tablespoons pineapple Jell-O; 3 Tablespoons corn starch; 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits or chunks (in 100% juice) ((not in heavy syrup)); 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 1/2 sleeves (45) Ritz crackers, (crushed); 1/2 stick salted butter (1/4 cup), (melted ); 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice

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Pineapple Casserole is a classic southern side dish especially at Easter. Pineapple, crackers and cheese combine to make the tastiest side to ham!

A FUN SOUTHERN SIDE DISH

Ritz Pineapple Casserole is a classic southern side dish at a lot of holiday meals. Pineapple, crackers and cheese combine to make the tastiest side to ham! If you've never eaten this particular dish of Southern Pineapple Casserole before, then chances are, you probably aren't from the South. It can be used as a side dish or even a dessert!

Warm Southern Pineapple Casserole on a plate with fresh pineapple.

WHAT IS PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE?

If you've never eaten it before, you will probably think it is the weirdest combination of ingredients you ever heard of. Who knew pineapple and cheese could make such beautiful music together? Well, they can. The sweetness of the pineapples and glaze combined with the zing of the sharp cheddar and slight saltiness and crunchiness from the Ritz crackers makes for a surprisingly amazing flavor combo. It is the perfect side to a slice of salty ham! My recipes differ from many out there because I use Jell-O. It makes all the difference - trust me!

The Best Ritz Pineapple Casserole recipe from The Country Cook shown close up on a plate with a fork.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

sugar
pineapple gelatin mix (Jell-O)
corn starch
pineapple tidbits or chunks (in 100% juice)
sharp cheddar cheese
Ritz crackers
salted butter
reserved pineapple juice

pineapple tidbits, cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers, pineapple jello, butter.

HOW TO MAKE PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8x8 baking (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium pot over medium heat, whisk together water, sugar, 3 tbsp. pineapple gelatin mix, and 3 tbsp. corn starch until thoroughly combined and you get all the lumps out. Turn heat up to high and let mixture to come to a boil and thicken. Continue to whisk. Once thickened take off heat. Drain pineapple chunks thoroughly, setting aside ½ cup of the juice. Add drained pineapple chunks to pot and stir.

pineapple tidbits in sauce pan with pineapple gelatin.

While pineapple mixture is cooling, begin making topping. In a large Ziploc bag, finely crush Ritz crackers. Add crackers, melted butter and ½ cup reserved pineapple juice into a medium bowl and stir until combined. It will seem 'wet.'

melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers.

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

ritz cracker crumb topping on top of pineapple filling.

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

finished baking, pineapple casserole in a baking dish.

Allow it to cool for several minutes before serving. It is meant to be served warm.

Pineapple Casserole (+Video)

A FUN SOUTHERN SIDE DISH

WHAT IS PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE?

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

HOW TO MAKE PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE:

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