Sweet Pioneer Woman Pineapple Casserole Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s pineapple casserole represents a delightful culinary surprise that defies traditional side dish expectations.

Sweet tropical flavors merge with unexpected savory elements in this unique recipe.

Southern kitchens often celebrate unconventional combinations that spark curiosity and delight.

Creamy cheese and buttery cracker crumbs create a magical texture that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Families gathering around the table will find this dish sparks conversation and brings smiles to every face.

Comfort food enthusiasts appreciate how familiar ingredients can be transformed into something truly memorable.

Crisp and rich, this casserole delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth.

Why Pineapple Casserole Is a Sweet-Savory Delight

• Savor Sweet-Savory Fusion: This recipe masterfully blends the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the rich, salty notes of cheese and buttery crackers, creating an irresistible flavor combination that dances on your taste buds.
• Craft Effortless Comfort: With minimal prep time and straightforward steps, this casserole transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a warm hug from the kitchen, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results.
• Enjoy Textural Delight: The crispy cracker topping provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, juicy pineapple chunks, delivering a multi-dimensional eating experience that keeps every bite interesting and exciting.
• Celebrate Versatile Comfort Food: Equally at home as a side dish or a casual dessert, this pineapple casserole shines at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday meals, making it a flexible recipe that adapts to any dining occasion.

Ingredients That Make Pineapple Casserole Special

• Canned Pineapple Chunks: Sweet and tangy tropical fruit that forms the primary layer of the casserole, best when well-drained.
• Pineapple Juice: Natural liquid from the canned fruit used to create a smooth, sweet sauce.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the pineapple mixture, balancing the fruit's natural tartness.
• Cornstarch: Creates a silky, thickened sauce that helps bind the pineapple juice and provides a glossy texture.

• Butter: Melted fat that helps bind the topping and adds rich flavor, preferably unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Crackers, Ritz: Provides a crispy, buttery crunch to the casserole topping, classic choice for a Southern-style dish.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully, adding a savory note to the sweet pineapple base, best when freshly grated.

How to Bake Pineapple Casserole Step-by-Step

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (177°C) and let it heat up while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Create Magical Pineapple Sauce

• Sugar
• Cornstarch

Blend until smooth with no pesky lumps.

Step 3: Arrange Pineapple Base

Spread pineapple chunks evenly in a 13×9-inch baking dish. Pour the glossy juice mixture over the chunks, gently coating each piece.

Step 4: Craft Crunchy Cheese Topping

• Crushed crackers
• Grated cheese
• Melted butter

Mix until the texture looks like rough breadcrumbs.

Step 5: Bake and Enjoy

• Topping turns golden brown
• Cheese melts completely
• Pineapple starts bubbling

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Top Tips for Golden Pineapple Casserole Every Time

• Slice Pineapple Strategically: Cut chunks uniformly so each bite delivers consistent texture and flavor.
• Select Premium Crackers: Pick buttery, crisp crackers that crumble easily and provide a rich golden topping.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent soggy bottom and maintain perfect casserole consistency.
• Blend Ingredients Smoothly: Whisk cornstarch and sugar without clumps for silky, even sauce distribution.
• Rotate Baking Dish: Ensure even browning by turning casserole midway through cooking for balanced golden crust.

Storage Tips to Keep Pineapple Casserole Fresh

• Airtight Freezing: Seal the casserole in a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing all excess air to prevent freezer burn. Double-wrap with aluminum foil for extra protection, ensuring no moisture or odors penetrate. Label the package with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store in a shallow, clear container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness. Position the casserole on the middle shelf, away from raw meats and strong-smelling foods. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Quick Thawing Technique: Transfer frozen casserole to the refrigerator 24 hours before reheating. Place on a lower shelf to catch any potential drips. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out and ensure even warming.

Creative Twists for Your Pineapple Casserole

• Tropical Beach Remix: Swap traditional crackers with coconut-crusted macadamia nuts for an island-inspired crunch, adding a creamy layer of shredded coconut on top for extra tropical flavor.
• Spicy Southern Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños into the pineapple layer and use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar to give the casserole a zesty, unexpected heat that complements the sweet fruit.
• Peach Paradise Swap: Replace pineapple chunks with fresh or canned peaches, using brown sugar in the juice mixture and adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to create a warm, Southern-style dessert casserole that celebrates summer fruit.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free crackers or almond flour as the base for the topping, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can still enjoy this classic comfort dish without compromising on taste or texture.

A Tropical Ending to Pineapple Casserole Night

Pioneer Woman’s Pineapple Casserole brings southern comfort to kitchen tables with unexpected culinary magic.

Sweet pineapple chunks nestled beneath crispy cracker topping create an irresistible harmony of textures and flavors.

Buttery cheese crumbles melt into golden perfection, promising a memorable side dish that defies traditional expectations.

Guests will marvel at this simple yet sophisticated recipe that elevates humble ingredients into a celebration of taste.

Crowd-pleasing charm radiates from each delightful serving, inviting conversation and second helpings.

Hearty souls craving delicious connections – share this recipe, spark mealtime joy, and watch smiles bloom across hungry faces.

Pioneer Woman Pineapple Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory-sweet Pioneer Woman Pineapple Casserole brings Southern comfort to any table with its irresistible blend of buttery cracker topping and tropical fruit. Cheese and pineapple mingle in a delightful harmony that promises to charm dinner guests and family alike.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups finely grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups roughly crushed buttery crackers (about 45 crackers or 1 ½ sleeves of Ritz)
• 2 (20 ounces/567 grams) cans of pineapple chunks in juice, juice reserved

Sweeteners and Thickeners:

• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Fats and Dairy:

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons/113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

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Instructions

1. Create a perfectly calibrated environment by heating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius), ensuring an optimal cooking temperature for the casserole.
2. Extract the liquid gold from the pineapple cans, measuring precisely 1 1/2 cups of juice into a mixing vessel. Whisk the granulated sugar and cornstarch into the tropical nectar with vigorous motion, eliminating any potential lumpy intruders and achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
3. Artfully distribute the pineapple chunks across the canvas of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish, creating an even landscape of sweet fruit. Delicately cascade the sweetened juice mixture over the pineapple, gently folding to ensure each chunk is lavishly coated.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the crushed crackers, finely grated cheese, and molten butter. Massage the ingredients together until they transform into a rustic, coarse texture that promises a crisp and flavorful topping.
5. Carefully blanket the pineapple layer with the cracker-cheese mixture, ensuring an uniform distribution that promises a golden, crispy finish. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and allow it to transform for 35 to 40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping, melted cheese, and bubbling pineapple edges.
6. Once emerged from the oven, grant the casserole a brief 5-minute cooling interlude before presenting this warm, delectable creation to eager diners.

Notes

• Pick a super ripe pineapple packed in natural juice to keep sweetness balanced and authentic.
• Crumble graham crackers into uneven, rustic chunks for maximum textural contrast and crispy topping.
• Blend cornstarch with sugar thoroughly until zero lumps remain, ensuring silky smooth sauce consistency.
• Create uniform layers by spreading pineapple mixture and cracker crumbs evenly across baking dish for consistent cooking.
• Peek into the oven during final minutes of baking, looking for golden-brown edges and bubbling center as perfect doneness indicators.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 258
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 229 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 38 mg