Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Intensity: Very Easy
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving):
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Calories: ~320 kcal
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Total Fat: 10g
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Saturated Fat: 6g
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Cholesterol: 25mg
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Sodium: 180mg
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Total Carbohydrates: 58g
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Dietary Fiber: 1g
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Sugars: 50g
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Protein: 2g
(Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific brands and measurements.)
Ingredients
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2 (20 oz) cans crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice, DO NOT DRAIN
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1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
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6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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2 cups (about 170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (See Chef’s Note)
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1 sleeve (about 35-40) Ritz crackers, crushed
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½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, melted
Equipment
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9×13 inch baking dish
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Large mixing bowl
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Medium mixing bowl
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Fork or pastry blender
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Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). No need to grease the baking dish; the butter in the topping will take care of that.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In your large mixing bowl, combine the crushed pineapple with its juice, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula until the flour and sugar are completely dissolved into the pineapple juice, with no dry streaks remaining. This is crucial to avoid a floury texture.
Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed. The mixture will look loose and cheesy—that’s perfect.
Step 3: Create the Topping
In your medium bowl, place the Ritz crackers. Using your hands, a fork, or the bottom of a glass, crush them into coarse crumbs. You want a mix of fine powder and some small pebble-sized pieces for texture. Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and stir with a fork until every crumb is evenly coated and moistened.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
Pour the pineapple and cheese filling into your 9×13 baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the entire surface.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 28-32 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling vigorously around the edges and the topping is a deep, golden brown.
Step 5: Rest & Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven. This is the hardest part: let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the bubbling, lava-hot filling to thicken slightly into a luxurious, spoonable sauce. Serve warm as the ultimate comfort side dish or a humble, crowd-pleasing dessert.