About
A classic side dish made of fruit? Well, this Fresh Pineapple Bake delivers and then some! The pineapple is tender and juicy, while its tropical tangy sweetness is enhanced with a sprinkling of brown sugar. Thanks to the hard work of crunchy almonds and a sprinkling of sharp cheddar, Fresh Pineapple Bake becomes a satisfying and refreshing side dish (or dessert!), fit to accompany any main course! It's amazing what a few simple ingredient changes can create!
Ingredients
- 2 fresh pineapples, peeled and cored
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups aged white cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 26 buttery crackers, coarsely crushed
- 1 cup almonds, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 3 -Halve the pineapples lengthwise.
Step 4 -Slice the pineapple halves crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons.
Step 5 -Place the pineapple slices onto several layers of paper towels and gently pat them dry.
Step 6 -Shingle the pineapple slices lengthwise in 2 rows, curved sides up, in the prepared baking dish.
Step 7 -In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, the cornstarch, and the lemon juice and whisk to combine.
Step 8 -Pour the brown sugar mixture evenly over the pineapple slices.
Step 9 -Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the cheddar over the pineapple slices.
Step 10 -Scatter the cream cheese cubes evenly over the surface of the pineapple slices.
Step 11 -In a medium bowl, add the crackers, the almonds, and the rosemary and mix to combine.
Step 12 -Drizzle the cracker mixture with the butter and toss to coat.
Step 13 -Add the remaining cheddar to the cracker mixture and stir to combine.
Step 14 -Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.
Step 15 -Bake the casserole until the topping is golden-brown and the slices are tender, about 30-35 minutes.
Step 16 -Serve.
