Ingredients (6–8 servings)

 Base

• Canned pineapple chunks – 2 cups (drained, reserve ¼ cup juice)
• Canned crushed pineapple – 1 cup (drained)

 Sweet-Savory mix

• Sugar – ½ to ¾ cup (adjust to taste)
• All-purpose flour – 3 tbsp
• Sharp cheddar cheese – 1½ cups (freshly shredded)
• Salt – pinch

 Topping

• Buttery crackers (like Ritz Crackers) – 1 sleeve (crushed)
• Butter – ½ cup (melted)

 Instructions

1. Prep oven

• Preheat to 180°C (350°F)
• Grease a medium baking dish

2. Mix filling

In a large bowl combine:

• pineapple chunks + crushed pineapple
• sugar
• flour
• reserved pineapple juice
• shredded cheddar

 Mix until evenly coated

3. Assemble

• Pour mixture into baking dish
• Spread evenly

4. Add topping

• Mix crushed crackers with melted butter
• Sprinkle evenly over top

5. Bake

• Bake 25–30 minutes
• Until bubbly and golden brown on top

6. Rest & serve

• Let sit 5–10 minutes before serving
  👉 Sauce thickens as it cools slightly

 What it tastes like

• Sweet, tangy pineapple
• Salty, melty cheddar
• Buttery, crunchy topping

👉 It’s a sweet-meets-savory Southern classic

 Nut & Allergen Info

 Nuts

• Nut-free recipe

 Contains:

• Dairy → cheese, butter
• Gluten → flour, crackers

 Substitutions:

• Gluten-free crackers + GF flour → gluten-free version
• Vegan butter + plant-based cheese → dairy-free (texture slightly different)

 Pro Tips

• Use sharp cheddar → balances sweetness better
• Don’t skip draining pineapple → prevents watery casserole
• Freshly grate cheese → melts smoother than pre-shredded

 Q&A

Q1: Why cheese with pineapple?

It’s a Southern tradition—sweet + salty contrast (similar to ham with pineapple).

Q2: Can I make it less sweet?

Yes:

• Reduce sugar to ⅓ cup
• Use unsweetened pineapple

Q3: Can I make it ahead?

Yes:

• Assemble up to 24 hours ahead
• Add cracker topping just before baking

Q4: Can I add extras?

Yes:

• Cooked ham pieces (turns it into a main dish)
• Pecans for crunch (if nuts are okay)

Q5: Why is mine watery?

• Pineapple not drained well
• Too much juice added
  👉 Drain thoroughly and measure liquid carefully

Q6: What does it pair with?

• Baked ham
• Roast chicken
• BBQ dishes
• Holiday meals (Thanksgiving/Easter style)

• Author
• Recent Posts

Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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