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If your go-to fruit of choice is typically pineapple, then you’ll love slow cooker pineapple casserole. It’s a sweet treat that’s easy to make and absolutely delicious. It’s made with buttery Ritz crackers, canned pineapple chunks, and a few other ingredients you most likely already have on hand.
Pineapple chunks make such a good addition to recipes. They are a huge hit in my Slow Cooker Ham Steaks and Pineapple Rings and Slow Cooker Pineapple Jalapeno Pork Tacos.
Table of Contents
Why this pineapple casserole recipe works
First, I must highlight the sweet and savory notes of this dessert recipe. If my family and I are looking for something sweet to put on the table for the weekend or take to a family gathering, I make pineapple casserole. It’s always enjoyed by everyone. This dish is a nice side for my slow cooker brown sugar ham.
Then, there’s the ease of making it. Since there is nothing for you to make from scratch, you’re literally mixing, dumping, and slow cooking for a couple of hours. The combination of canned pineapple chunks, butter crackers, brown sugar, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese sounds amazing and tastes great too! Keep reading to see just how easy it is to make your own southern pineapple casserole.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pineapple: You’ll need two of the 20 ounce cans of pineapple chunks to ensure you have a nice amount of pineapple in the casserole.
- Pineapple Juice: Save some of the juice for this casserole dish. Discard the rest or save it for something else.
- Ritz Crackers: These are added at the end of the cooking time to create a cheddar cheese and buttery cracker topping.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens up the pineapple mixture and gives it more flavor.
- Sugar: The mixture of brown and white sugar helps to achieve a good color and flavor in this casserole dish.
- Flour: This is like a baked pineapple casserole so using flour helps create a thicker texture.
- Cheese: I like to use mild cheddar cheese or medium cheddar cheese, however, you can use any shredded cheese you prefer.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – In a large bowl or medium size bowl, add the pineapple chunks and only a 1/2 cup of the juices. Add the cheese, sugars, and flour. Stir.
Step Two – Add the pineapple mixture to a crock pot that has been prepared with nonstick cooking spray.
Step Three – Cover and cook on HIGH for 2.5 hours.
Step Four – When the cooking time is up, crumble the Ritz crackers over the casserole and serve warm. Enjoy! The buttery crackers really make the dish pop!
What goes with Pineapple Casserole?
- The cool thing about pineapple cheese casserole is it can be considered a dessert or side dish. With that latter in mind, you can serve this alongside your favorite beef (like slow cooker baby back ribs), pork (think Thanksgiving or Easter ham), or even a slow cooker whole chicken.
- I do not recommend serving this as a dessert; it’s meant as side dish for a meal.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely and it’s actually a smart idea if you’re making it for the holidays. Simply combine the ingredients together, cover it with cling wrap, and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to put it in the slow cooker.
Fresh is often said to be the best in most recipes, but with this one, canned is easier and better. The reason is that canned fruit is softer and sweeter. If you want to switch things up, consider using pineapple tidbits.
If you just so happen to have leftovers, they should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. This isn’t a meal you’ll want to freeze. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.
No, it would be far to mushy and watery if you used crushed pineapple, though the smaller pineapple tidbits can be used.
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Slow Cooker Pineapple Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 40 oz. pineapple chunks, (two 20-oz. cans) drained BUT save a half cup
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from above cans)
- 2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese, (an 8 oz. bag)
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 6 Tbsp. all purpose flour
- 25 Ritz crackers, (WAIT TO ADD)
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the pineapple chunks and only a 1/2 cup of the juices. Add the cheese, sugars, and flour. Stir.
- Spray the slow cooker with non stick spray.
- Add the pineapple mixture.
- Cook on HIGH For 2.5 hours.
- When the cooking time is up, crumble the Ritz crackers over the casserole and serve.
Sarah’s Notes
- Fresh pineapple can be used but canned actually tastes the best for this dish.
- This dish can be made ahead of time. It’s actually a smart idea if you’re making it for the holidays. Simply combine the ingredients together, cover it with cling wrap, and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to put it in the slow cooker.
- If you just so happen to have leftovers, they should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. This isn’t a meal you’ll want to freeze. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.
- Do not substitute crushed pineapple for the pineapple chunks, though you can use the smaller pineapple tidbets if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
I’m looking forward to making this recipe.