Ritz 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!
HOW DO YOU MAKE 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!
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
HOW TO MAKE RITZ 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.
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.'
Add shredded cheese to cooled pineapple mixture and pour into baking dish. Drop and gently spread Ritz cracker topping over pineapple mixture.
Bake in oven for about 30-35 minutes (until topping is golden brown.)
Allow it to cool for several minutes before serving. It is meant to be served warm.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
BEST RITZ PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoon pineapple Jell-O
- 3 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits or chunks (in 100% juice) not heavy syrup
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1 ½ sleeves (45) Ritz crackers crushed
- ½ stick salted butter (¼ cup) melted
- ½ cup reserved pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- Spray an 8 x 8 (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.
- In a large Ziploc bag, finely crush Ritz crackers.
- Add crushed crackers, melted butter and ½ cup reserved pineapple juice into a medium bowl and stir until combined.
- Add shredded cheese to cooled pineapple mixture and pour into baking dish.
- Spread Ritz cracker topping over pineapple mixture.
- Bake in oven for about 30-35 minutes (until topping is golden brown.)
George
Been making this every Thanksgiving for years. The recipe I have is called Pineapple Greenbriar. Not sure where I got the recipe but I am sure it came out of some newspaper. Mine does not include the jello.
Lori
This is a family favorite! The Country Cook recipes are known as “my girl’s recipes” in our house. Everything I’ve ever tried has been a winner! I just made the “retro” salmon patties, Doritos taco salad and of course, who could forget THE ziti, that replaced my own recipe I had used for over 20 years. Brandie, you da bomb!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Awwww Lori - you made my day! You are so sweet!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a sweet message!!
Tracy Dinardo
My mom has made this before and I LOVE it !!!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Way to go Mom! Ha!
Denise
I can’t find pineapple jello, what else can I use??
Darlene
I know it wouldn’t be the same but could you sub peaches for the pineapple? I can’t eat pineapple. ????
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Darlene, honestly, I am really not sure. You'd have to test it out to be certain. I'm sorry I am not more help!