Perfect Pineapple Casserole

SERVES: 6

COOK TIME: 40 Min

Here's a casserole recipe that's a little unexpected and a whole lot pleasing. Pineapple Casserole is a Southern favorite that can double as a side dish or a dessert! Everyone will love the surprise ingredient in this yummy dish.

What You'll Need

3 tablespoons pineapple gelatin mix
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 cup finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup butter-flavored cracker crumbs (like Ritz)
2 tablespoons butter, melted

What to Do

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together gelatin mix, sugar, cornstarch, and water until smooth. Bring mixture to a boil and continue to whisk until thickened. Stir in pineapple chunks and cheese. Pour mixture into baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine cracker crumbs and butter. Sprinkle over pineapple mixture.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.

Notes

This is a great side dish for your Easter spread. For more great ideas, check out our collection of Easter Side Dishes.
PIneapple adds such a bright and refreshing zip to so many recipes! We suggest you also try our Barbecue Chicken Tart for another tasty option.
Love pineapple? Check out our list of yummy pineapple desserts.

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 371
Calories from Fat 111
Total Fat 12g 19 %
Saturated Fat 6.3g 32 %
Trans Fat 0.3g 0 %
Protein 7.2g 14 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 26mg 9 %
Sodium 310mg 13 %
Total Carbohydrates 61g 20 %
Dietary Fiber 1.6g 6 %
Sugars 48g 0 %

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dawnlintz 1881487

Apr 01, 2018

now this is gelatin and not pudding am I right?

Test Kitchen Team

Apr 02, 2018

This is most definitely a gelatin recipe! We hope you enjoy. :)

Lynn in MA

Oct 29, 2017

Would like to make this with apples instead of pineapple. Can you advise the best way to do it? Thanks.

Test Kitchen Team

Oct 31, 2017

Hi there! To make this recipe with apples instead of pineapple, make sure you are using the canned apples that are in water, not the pie filling. However, if you'd like to use fresh apples, one large one or two small ones cut up will work. Saute them for 4-5 minutes and then add them to the casserole! Hope this was helpful. :)

kmcartoonity 62072 74

Jun 19, 2017

I have heard of vintage recipes putting a layer of cheese at the bottom of an apple pie before, but this idea seemed kind of weird to me in a pineapple dish. I left the cheese out and made this to serve alongside some grilled teriyaki chicken and it was super! When serving as a dessert, you could even substitute crushed up vanilla wafers or cinnamon graham crackers for the top, and scoop it warm on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt!

VallieB

Jan 24, 2017

One of my favs!

sailorgal47 147227 5

Mar 28, 2016

I found Jell-O brand island pineapple flavor at Walmart. jcf1010, didn't think of using the juice in place of the water but will next time. This dish was fabulous with such a full pineapple flavor and my family loved it with the Easter ham....said it was the perfect accompaniment to the ham and not too sweet. I will surely double the recipe next time as not a smidge was left to go with the leftovers. Definitely a keeper. Thanks Mr. Food!!

jcf1010

Mar 27, 2016

I substituted unflavored gelatin for the pineapple gelatin. I used the drained juice instead of the 1 cup of water. The casserole was great! I will make it again, but next time I'll cut the amount of sugar in half. It went great with our Easter ham!

dknsue 9832147

Mar 23, 2016

Thanks for the clarification about the amount of pineapple gelatin to use for this recipe. I can't wait to try it for Easter this Sunday.

jowhittle44 524178 5

Mar 22, 2016

I have the same question as another person had but was not answered. Do you use the whole package of gelatin or 3 tbs? I really want to try this but just need to have claification on the amount of Pineapple gelatin. This looks wonderful!

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 23, 2016

Hello! The recipe instructions are correct - you only need 3 tablespoons of the gelatin mix. Howard made a mistake in the video. Thanks for checking with us! (It really is wonderful!)

rgreene999 8532204

Mar 22, 2016

looks good will try this one! "question " I s Mr food still with us?

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 23, 2016

No, unfortunately, the original "Mr. Food" (Art Ginsburg) passed away in November of 2012. However, he is is still with us in spirit and memory. :)

dollysara

Mar 22, 2016

Is it supposed to be 3 ounces of pineapple gelatin or 3 tablespoons. In the video it looks like an entire package is used.

ktheaterlady 15895 78

Oct 01, 2015

I think pineapple jello is what people are talking about.

oakmntn 0802002

Sep 30, 2015

by gelatin mix do you mean just dry gelatin powder?

Test Kitchen Team

Oct 01, 2015

Yup, we mean the dry powder found in a box of pineapple gelatin mix. :)

dknsue 9832147

Mar 22, 2016

Do you use 3 tablespoons or 3 ounces--the whole box of gelatin?

mjbebe 9092366

Jun 09, 2015

Can anyone tell me where to find Pineapple Gelatin?

Test Kitchen Team

Jun 10, 2015

Hi there! Pineapple gelatin can be found in most grocery stores, including Walmart, in the same section as the other gelatin flavors. We recommend calling ahead and checking with your store before making a trip! Enjoy :)

jag1339ohio 268849 4

Mar 24, 2016

been to krogers reisbecks and walmart is out the say.thinking of what i can use in place of it

mazi1

May 30, 2015

This was a great hit with my family. Every one loved it! I use 3/4 cup of Ritz crackers and 1/4 cup Cheese-Its. Gave the right mix of buttery and cheesy.

ReverendM

May 30, 2015

I actually thought this was a little gross sounding, yet copied it off in case I needed a side dish that would be somewhat different. I ended up trying it when I fixed a ham dinner, and believe me, "gross" was NOT what anyone said or thought. It was delicious! It will now become one of those holiday-tradition dishes for me. And thanks, cdinvegas, for the idea of using Splenda and telling me how much to use. I may try that next time.

cdinvegas 3777808

Mar 07, 2015

I made this for dinner tonight. I did use 1 c. splenda instead of sugar, and it was delicious. I would make it again.

desertpeddler 1625 864

Mar 02, 2015

Do you think that maybe she means Cheese-its

5lita5

May 30, 2015

Not meaning to be snarky but that's kinda how I roll, I think if she'd meant Cheez-Its she wouldn't have said Ritz. Probably quite well aware of the difference. And I think Ritz are gonna give it a nice buttery quality, but all that cheddar and then some Cheez-It's might be too much. Idk - maybe you try it both ways and let us know??

Purrbaby

Mar 02, 2015

The recipe states cheese flavored crackers but then says like ritz. I am confused because I have not heard of cheese flavored Ritz. So I am wondering if you are to use cheese flavored or Ritz? This would really change the recipe as they are very different types of crackers. Could someone help me? I would love to try this out!

redneckgirl36 1585 765

Mar 02, 2015

I make a recipe similar to this (uses flour in place of the cornstarch and gelatin) and I use regular Ritz crackers. I do wonder how a different flavor of crackers would work. I do love this stuff.

songofkowski 83924 42

Mar 03, 2015

I'm sure you can use cheez-its and mic them with Ritz if you like

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 03, 2015

Sorry for the confusion! We meant to put butter-flavored crackers instead of cheese crackers (though that might be a nice variation!). The recipe has been corrected - thanks for bringing it to our attention. Enjoy :)

Member 2972460

Mar 22, 2015

the recipe states to use finely shredded cheese and Ritz type crackers not cheese flavored crackers

Purrbaby

Mar 22, 2015

Hey Member 2972460 the comment above yours from the Test Kitchen says they corrected the recipe and now it is correct. Maybe you should have read that comment first because originally it stated cheese crackers.

darnellg1

Mar 02, 2015

can you make this without the cheese?

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 03, 2015

Yes, you can make this casserole without the cheese. Enjoy!