The Best Pineapple Casserole

A savory and sweet baked pineapple casserole that’s an easy recipe and a family favorite. Only 6 ingredients make it the perfect side dish for any special occasion. –Pineapple, butter, sugar, eggs, bread, and milk. Perfect for a side dish but could easily be a dessert. This is truly the Best Pineapple Casserole you will ever taste.

I’ve been making this casserole for at least 30 years now. This pineapple casserole recipe is really delicious, and after the first bite, you will be hooked. It’s easy, straightforward, and the perfect blend of sweetness, buttery flavor, and it’s savory. It’s an odd combination, but all of the flavors work nicely together.

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Recipe Origin

I began making this casserole to serve with ham for Easter dinner. Pineapple and ham always go together and are a great combination. But honestly, it goes with just about anything and everything. I have served this at cookouts with hamburgers, at Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, and at Christmas with ham.

My family expects this pineapple bake to show up on the holiday table. It is a favorite side dish and is requested often.

Pineapple casserole is made to serve as a side dish, but with the sweetness of the pineapple, it could be eaten as a dessert.

I made this the other night–during the week– and served it with chicken crescent rolls and did not have the first complaint from my family.

Picture of pineapple casserole with text overlay.
The Best Pineapple Casserole

Why This Pineapple Dish Is Fantastic

The combination of ingredients may sound strange, but I promise they all mesh together into one delicious casserole.

Pineapple casserole is made to serve as a side dish, but honestly, it could be eaten as a dessert. As a matter of fact, I reheated a small bowl for dessert last night.

With only a few simple ingredients, you can have this casserole mixed and in the oven in no time. Everything is mixed by hand–no need to drag out the mixer. Just mix everything together in one bowl, dump into a casserole dish, slide into the oven. Easy!!

I’ve made this casserole for church socials, holiday gatherings, and just as a side dish during the week. It will not disappoint you or your guests.

A simple dish that’s budget-friendly.

This dish tastes like a pineapple bread pudding.

Goes excellent with Easter ham.

The bread soaks up the buttery flavor and the sweet pineapple juices.

The first time you try this recipe, you will be hooked.

Ingredients Needed for Pineapple Bread Casserole

This baked pineapple casserole is made with simple ingredients and comes together fast.

Bread Cubes– I use white bread for this recipe. I like to cube or tear my bread by hand. The pieces don’t have to be perfect, and I leave the crust on the bread.

Milk– I only buy whole milk, which I use.

Eggs– Large eggs

Sugar– white sugar

Butter– One cup butter, softened

Pineapple– I use canned pineapple chunks (pineapple tidbits) with juice

 

Picture of ingredients for pineapple casserole with text overlay
The Best Pineapple Casserole

How To Make Southern Pineapple Casserole

This casserole is so simple and with just a few minutes of prep, you can have this casserole made and in the oven. It’s perfect for the holidays or as a side dish during the week. This recipe can be mixed by hand; therefore, an electric mixer is unnecessary.

For complete instructions, see the recipe card below.

  1. Gather ingredients and cube the bread.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix milk, eggs, sugar, and butter.
  3. Add pineapple and pineapple juice. Mix well.
  4. Add cubed bread. Stir until all of the bread is coated.
  5. Pour the pineapple mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
  6. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Steps for making pineapple casserole with text overlya.

Is Pineapple Casserole a Dessert?

I like to serve Pineapple Casserole as a side dish. But, I have also eaten leftovers as a dessert. Basically, it depends on you! 

How to Store Leftover Casserole

Store all leftovers in the refrigerator. Allow the pineapple casserole to cool to room temperature, wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or place in a tightly covered bowl. Leftovers will usually last 4-5 days in the refrigerator. **They never last this long at my house. 

Recipe Tips

  • Start with a large bowl.
  • Use softened butter.
  • Cube bread. I leave the crusts on- your choice.
  • Use canned pineapple with juice. I use tidbits, but crushed pineapple will work as well.
  • Bake until the top is slightly golden brown.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven.

What Do I Serve With Pineapple Casserole?

Honestly, in my opinion, it goes great with everything. I like to serve it best with ham. Ham and Pineapple Casserole equals a win every time! I have also served it with grilled foods during the summer, at Thanksgiving with turkey, with sticky chicken, and during the week with barbecued ribs.

Try this for your next holiday gathering or just for something different during the week. In my opinion, no holiday is complete without a Pineapple Casserole. For More Holiday Side Dishes, be sure to check out 27 Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes. There is something there for everyone.

If you are looking for side dishes to serve at holiday gatherings or during the week, be sure to try my Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping and Southern Cornbread Salad and Candied Sweet Potatoes. These always show up on my table for the holidays.

Some other great weeknight sides to try are– Southern Deviled EggsCrispy Fried Okra, and Fried Cabbage and Onions. My corn casserole is fabulous. Great recipes for holidays or weeknight meals.

Recipe FAQ’s

Canned pineapple is usually sweeter and has more juice. However, I have not tested this recipe with fresh pineapple. Therefore, I can not recommend the outcome.

No. Do not drain the pineapple juice. You will need the juice in this recipe.

Picture of pineapple casserole with text overlay.

Need a quick dessert for your holiday table? My No Bake Pumpkin Pie is a winner every time! It’s light, fluffy, and comes together in minutes. Delish!

For More Pineapple Dishes:

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Watergate Salad

pineapple casserole with a spoon

The Best Pineapple Casserole

Gina Abernathy
A savory and sweet southern casserole. Only 6 ingredients–Pineapple, butter, sugar, eggs, bread, and milk. Perfect for a side dish but could easily be a dessert. This is truly the Best Pineapple Casserole you will ever taste.
5 from 39 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups cubed bread
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 Eggs beaten
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits with juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a bowl, mix milk, eggs, sugar, and butter.
  • Add pineapple and juice. Mix well
  • Add cubed bread. Stir until all of the bread is coated.
  • Spray a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish with non stick spray. Pour the pineapple mixture into the dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
  • Serve warm. Enjoy!
Keyword Pineapple Casserole

64 Comments

  1. Wow, this sounds absolutely delicious! I’ve never thought to add pineapples into casseroles! Sounds like a good breakfast or dessert idea for the future!

  2. 5 stars
    Ok so I’ve never heard of this before but I am definitely trying it! It looks so yummy and totally what my family will love!

  3. 5 stars
    Wow, it’s like a British Bread and Butter pudding, but with pineapple. It’s quite unconventional to serve something sweet like this with savoury dishes where we live, but it makes me all the more excited to try this recipe! After all, I love ham and pineapple pizza, so I think I’d love this casserole with roast gammon!

  4. 5 stars
    This reminds me of a bread pudding recipe but way easier to make and with one of my favorite fruits – pineapple!! Can’t wait to make this for my family – they will love it!

  5. 5 stars
    Beautiful casserole to pair with salty meats, like ham or smoked gammon joint! Will definitely keep this recipe in mind for an upcoming special family meal!

  6. 5 stars
    This fabulous, savory and sweet pineapple casserole is going on my “must make” list right now! Can’t wait to dig into this deliciousness!

      1. I use just regular sandwich bread for this recipe. Day old bread works great. Thanks for the question. This is a great tasting recipe and is always requested at out holiday gatherings. Enjoy!

  7. 5 stars
    This looks incredible! The most indulgent casserole that was. Yum! We love pineapples, can’t wait to try this out.

  8. 5 stars
    I had never heard of pineapple casserole before but I love bread pudding and I love pineapple so I thought I would give it a try for a unique dessert for our dinner last night. I was blown away! So delicious and incredibly easy too.

  9. 5 stars
    As a self-proclaimed pineapple addict, I thought I’d eaten pineapple in every way possible. This is a new one! It would definitely be a delicious dessert. I am so excited to try it!

  10. 5 stars
    I’ve been making this for YEARS and everyone loves it and asks for the recipe. I always make it with baked ham, scalloped potatoes and baked beans. It’s a winner!

  11. 5 stars
    Omg this is the best dessert ever! It’s sweet and satisfying, kind of like a dressed up bread pudding! Yum!

  12. 5 stars
    This is fantastic!! Everyone loved it. One of those recipes I’m tucking away for later use because I’ve already been asked to make this again, TWICE.

  13. I grew up eating a similar casserole with ritz crackers instead of bread. Can’t wait to try it with bread cubes instead. I only buy skim milk, not whole. Could I substitute evaporated milk?

    1. Hi Debbie,
      Skim milk should be fine for this recipe. I have never substituted and used evaporated milk. I’m not sure how that would work. I’m making this again for Christmas Dinner to go with ham. I can’t wait… So good!

  14. Sounds delicious! Question. Is a mixer needed to combine the butter, sugar, milk etc. or is it mixed by hand? Should the sugar and butter be creamed together first? If not, will the butter be evenly distributed if its just softened?

    1. Hi Diane! Great question… I usually do the mixing by hand. Make sure the butter is super soft before mixing. You can certainly stir together the butter and sugar first, then add the other ingredients. The butter will melt nicely when cooked and be evenly distributed throughout the dish. Enjoy!

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