Vegan Southern Pineapple Casserole (Gluten-Free)

Pineapple casserole is a classic Southern side dish! Sweet and savory, this homemade vegan and gluten-free recipe tastes just like grandma used to make! Made with sweet and tangy pineapple, dairy-free cheddar cheese, and a buttery cracker topping, this easy dump-and-bake casserole is perfect for holidays, potlucks, and a dose of Southern comfort!

Don't let the ingredient list of the humble pineapple casserole scare you! This simple Southern delicacy may seem odd with its combination of pineapple and cheese, but give it a taste before you pass judgment! In the South, we love our casseroles with a dose of cheddar cheese and buttery cracker topping! Even when you need your Southern comfort food vegan, there's always a way to swap a few ingredients and still enjoy your family favorites!

Where Did Pineapple Casserole Come From?

The exact origins of pineapple casserole are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the Southern United States as pineapples become popular and more accessible due to imports from the Caribbean in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the "casserole craze" in the 1950s when easy canned and convenience foods took over the country, "dump-and-go" single-dish casseroles were every homemaker's go-to. From potlucks, church gatherings, and funeral foods, Southerners' way of feeding crowds and showing sympathy was with comfort food!

What Is Southern Pineapple Casserole?

Pineapple casserole is a traditional Southern dish often served during holidays and special occasions, such as Easter and Christmas. There are variations to the casserole, some lean more towards a sweet dessert, while others include meat like ham. The basic sweet and savory dish is a combination of canned pineapple, cheddar cheese, sugar, flour, and a buttery topping of crushed Ritz crackers, baked in the oven.

Why You'll Love This Vegan Recipe

This vegan and gluten-free recipe swaps the cheddar for vegan cheddar, the butter for vegan butter, and the flour and crackers for gluten-free versions! Simple, easy, same flavor and ease of cooking! This healthier allergy-free recipe is:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Kid-Approved
• Quick, Easy, 6 Ingredients
• Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly
• Perfect For Potlucks, Holidays Gatherings, or a Cozy Weeknight Side Dish

Ingredients For Gluten-Free Vegan Pineapple Casserole

• Canned Pineapple: I like to use a combo of pineapple tidbits and crushed pineapple. This gives the casserole the next texture where you don't have large pineapple chunks but it isn't a complete soup either. make sure your canned pineapple is canned with 100% pure pineapple juice!
• Vegan Cheddar Cheese Shreds: The Southern casserole staple! Use your favorite vegan cheddar cheese shreds for a delicious unexpected flavor experience.
• Gluten-Free Flour: A small amount of gluten-free all-purpose four thickens the pineapple and cheese mixture just enough to hold the casserole together.
• Granulated Sugar: To make the casserole slightly healthier, you can use sugar-free granulated sweetener or regular white sugar to add a little extra sweetness to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Crackers: Since the casserole is gluten-free, we can't use classic Ritz crackers. Instead, use your favorite plain gluten-free butter or club-style crackers for the topping.
• Vegan Butter: To make the cracker topping extra buttery and give it a nice brown in the oven, pour some melted dairy-free butter over the crushed crackers before topping the casserole!

Recipe Add-Ins & Ingredient Variations

• You can use pineapple chunks for a larger bite, all tidbits instead of half crushed, or any combination that satisfies your pineapple desires!
• You can swap gluten-free flour for arrowroot starch and use a grain-free cracker to make this dish paleo and lower in carbs.
• Add some homemade vegan bacon bits to the topping for a greater salty savory contrast.
• Add some shredded coconut to the casserole for some tropical Caribbean vibes.

How To Make Pineapple Casserole

1. Drain as much of the juice from the tidbits and crushed pineapple as possible. Some liquid is okay, reserve a few tablespoons to use as needed.
2. Add the vegan cheese, flour, and sugar to the pineapple in a large mixing bowl.

3. Mix the pineapple and cheese filling together so everything is combined.
4. Pour the mixture evenly into a large casserole dish.

5. Add your crushed gluten-free crackers to a small bowl before pouring the melted vegan butter over top and mixing to coat. (Melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds).
6. Add the crushed buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the pineapple casserole.

7. Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 20 minutes until the cracker top is golden brown.
8. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Grease your 8x11 casserole dish before adding the pineapple filling. While not mandatory, it will help with easy clean-up!
• Add more or less cracker topping. I had some leftover topping and didn't feel the need to use it all. It's up to you on how much, just make sure there is a nice layer covering the filling.
• Don't use fresh pineapple. I know, but canned pineapple is softer, sweetener, and a hellova lot easier for this lazy dump-and-go casserole!
• Make-Ahead: If you're making the casserole in advance, mix together the filling and add it to the greased casserole. Cover it with foil and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before adding the cracker crumb and baking.

How To Store Leftovers

• You can store leftover vegan pineapple casserole covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can scoop out individual servings and reheat them in the microwave or you can place the whole casserole dish, uncovered in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes to warm it through and make the cracker topping crispy again.
• You can freeze the casserole by allowing it to cool to room temperature and tightly covering the casserole dish with foil. You leave it frozen for up to 4 months. To reheat the casserole from frozen, place it uncovered in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until the center is warmed through. (The texture will change a bit, but it's still delicious!)

How To Serve Southern Pineapple Casserole

This sweet and savory pineapple casserole is a perfect side dish to a holiday dinner like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. It pairs well with a savory entree like a vegan lentil loaf, whole roast cauliflower, or non-vegan options like roast chicken, grilled or slow cooker meats!

More Vegan Casserole Recipes:

• Vegan Corn Casserole
• Healthy Green Bean Casserole
• Vegan Southern Squash Casserole
• Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
• Brown Rice Stuffing Casserole
• Vegan Breakfast Casserole

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Think of it this way...if you like pineapple on pizza, you'll love this pineapple casserole (just minus the tomato sauce!)

So tell me:

+ Have you had this classic Southern casserole before?

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