Description
Comfort meets tropical sweetness in this Southern pineapple casserole, blending creamy cheese and buttery crackers into a delightful side dish. Cheesy, crunchy, and irresistibly rich, you’ll savor each delectable bite of this classic Southern comfort classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans (20 ounces / 567 grams) pineapple chunks, drained
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Supporting Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 6 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice
Topping:
- 1 sleeve buttery round crackers (about 1 3/4 cups / 219 grams crushed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
- Thoroughly coat a 2-quart baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently fold together drained pineapple chunks, reserved juice, sugar, and flour until the fruit is uniformly coated.
- Pour the pineapple mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even base layer.
- Generously sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the pineapple mixture.
- In a separate bowl, combine crushed crackers with melted butter, tossing until the crumbs are completely saturated and glossy.
- Distribute the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the cheese layer, creating a golden, textured topping.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown crust and bubbling edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and the dish to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent watery casserole and ensure a perfect texture.
- Use room temperature cheese for smoother melting and even distribution across the dish.
- Experiment with different cracker types like Ritz or graham crackers for varied crunch and flavor profiles.
- Consider reducing sugar for a less sweet version or using low-fat cheese for a lighter alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 393
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg