Slow Cooker Pineapple Casserole is a sweet, savory, and surprisingly simple. It is the kind of dish that turns heads at potlucks and holiday tables alike. Whether you’re serving ham, turkey, or just looking for a crowd-pleasing twist, this casserole brings a little sunshine to any spread.
Pineapple is often overlooked. There are so many ways to enjoy it such as my Brazilian Pineapple and my Chocolate Pineapple.
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Why this Pineapple Casserole Recipe is a Keeper
I love this pineapple casserole bake recipe because it’s an easy set-and-forget side. It’s a great, unique recipe that’s sure to be a hit.
- Effortlessly Simple: The recipe involves mixing a handful of common ingredients and letting a slow cooker do all the work. It’s a “dump and go” recipe that’s perfect for a low-effort dessert or side dish.
- Unique and Delicious: It’s a classic comfort food that stands out with its unusual combination of the sweetness of the pineapple and a custardy, bread-based texture. It’s a tropical twist on a traditional bread pudding.
- Versatile Serving Options: It’s delicious served warm, but can also be enjoyed cold, making it a flexible dish for any time of year.
Is this a Savory Side Dish or a Dessert?
This is a sweet side! You can make it savory by adding a Ritz cracker topping and sharp cheddar cheese.
Pro Tip – Ritz Crackers
Add a crunchy top to the top of pineapple mixture with a buttery Ritz cracker crust.
Ingredient Notes to Make Pineapple Casserole
This sweet and savory recipe uses only a few simple ingredients you probably already have, or can grab in one quick trip to the store.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Pineapple: The recipe calls for crushed canned pineapple, but you can also pineapple chunks or pineapple tidbits in pineapple juice. Feel free to also try fresh pineapple.
- Bread: Use your favorite kind of store-bought or homemade bread.
Variations and Substitutions for Paula Deen’s Casserole
Feel free to use different ingredients to substitute or experiment with flavors in this Paula Deen baked pineapple casserole recipe.
- Add Coconut: For a tropical flair, stir in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut with the other scalloped pineapple ingredients.
- Use Different Fruit: Substitute crushed pineapple with canned peaches, pears, or even a mix of tropical fruits.
- Add Spices: A dash of nutmeg, cinnamon, or a pinch of ground ginger can add warmth and depth of flavor.
- Dairy Substitutions: You can use a dairy-free milk substitute (like almond or oat milk) and a plant-based butter alternative.
- Egg-Free: While the eggs are crucial for the custard-like texture, you could try using a flax egg substitute (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg), but the final texture will be different.
- Topping: Try adding a crunchy, buttery cracker crumbs topping at the very end. You could also sneak in some shredded cheese.
Special Equipment Needed for this Paula Deen Side Dish
A specific piece of equipment is needed to make a recipe just right. For this easy pineapple casserole with cheddar cheese, all that’s needed is a crock pot.
- Slow Cooker: The recipe is designed specifically for a slow cooker. A 6-quart slow cooker is a good size for this recipe.
How to Make Crock Pot Pineapple Casserole
This is one of the easiest recipes ever. It comes together in 2 steps, and is perfect for a potluck or holiday. It is tangy and delicious.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mix Ingredients: In a slow cooker, mix together the crushed pineapple, sugar, eggs, melted butter, milk and cubed bread.
- Cook Pineapple Mixture: Cook on high for 2 hours, then reduce heat to low and cook for another hour.
Make Pineapple Casserole Ahead of Time Suggestions
Since this southern classic recipe is already super easy, there are only a couple things you can do ahead of time.
- Mix the Ingredients: You can mix all the ingredients (except for the bread) in a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Stir in the bread cubes right before you add the mixture to the slow cooker to prevent them from becoming too soggy.
- Assemble the Casserole: You can assemble the entire casserole in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply place the insert into the slow cooker and begin the cooking process. When you are ready to bake.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Baked Pineapple Casserole
Make this recipe another way by using your oven.
- Oven Baking: To bake this casserole in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the mixture into a prepared casserole dish. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. The texture will be slightly different, more like a traditional baked bread pudding.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Pineapple Casserole
- Store: Store pineapple casserole in an airtight container. As long as it’s stored in an airtight container, it will be good for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend freezing pineapple casserole because it will change the texture.
- Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm. You can also reheat the entire casserole in a baking dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven until warmed through.
- Use Leftovers: Leftover Pineapple Casserole can be enjoyed as a simple dessert, or you can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a warm-and-cold treat. You can also eat pineapple casserole for breakfast fresh from the oven.
Common Questions About This Pineapple Casserole Recipe
Feel free to reduce the sugar if you want to. To make it more of a savory pineapple casserole, add some shredded cheddar cheese and crushed Ritz crackers.
If your casserole turned out too soupy, you may have added too much pineapple juice. Be sure to use drained pineapple chunks, but you can use the reserved pineapple juice for other recipes.
Expert Tips for Making Pineapple Cheese Casserole
- Drain the Pineapple Well: Thoroughly draining the crushed pineapple is critical. Excess liquid will make the casserole runny and watery instead of creating a firm, custardy texture.
- Use a Firm Bread: Using a slightly stale or firm white bread (like a sandwich loaf or challah) works best. It will hold its shape better and absorb the liquid without turning into mush.
- Don’t Overfill: Ensure the slow cooker is not more than two-thirds full to prevent the casserole from boiling over.
- Check for Doneness: The casserole is done when the top is firm and slightly browned, and the center is set. The time may vary depending on your slow cooker.
- Serve with Care: Because this casserole is quite moist, use a large spoon or spatula to serve it. It won’t have the same clean-cut squares as a baked cake.
- Serve this Recipe With: Serve with Easter Ham, Honey Garlic Roasted Baby Carrots or Shrimp Deviled Eggs.
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Slow Cooker Pineapple Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Sugar
- 3 Eggs
- ¾ cup Butter, melted
- ¾ cup Milk
- 8 slices Bread, crusts removed and cubed
- 15.5 ounces Crushed pineapple, drained
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 2 hours. Reduce heat to low and cook for 1 hour more.
- Serve warm or cold.
Christina’s Notes
- Drain Well: Thoroughly drain the pineapple so that the casserole isn’t mushy or soggy.
- Firm Bread: Slightly stale bread works best for holding shape and absorbing liquid.
- Check if it’s Done: It’s done when the top is firm and slightly browned, and the center is set.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.