The Surprising Origins of Pineapple Casserole

From a 1920s recipe contest to a beloved Southern side dish, pineapple casserole has a rich history.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Pineapple casserole, a beloved Southern side dish, has its origins in a 1920s recipe contest hosted by Dole Pineapple. While most entries were for pineapple upside-down cake, the integration of canned pineapple into American cooking had begun. Over the decades, pineapple casserole evolved from a "pineapple stuffing" recipe in Pennsylvania Dutch country to the modern version with Cheddar cheese and a Ritz cracker topping.

Why it matters

The story of pineapple casserole reflects the broader integration of pineapple into American cuisine, from a rare luxury item in Colonial times to a ubiquitous ingredient. It also showcases the way regional dishes can spread and evolve across the country, with the Pennsylvania Dutch "pineapple stuffing" making its way south to become a staple on Southern tables.

The details

In the 1920s, Dole Pineapple held a recipe contest asking home cooks to submit their best dishes using canned pineapple. Most entries were for pineapple upside-down cake, but this marked the beginning of pineapple's widespread use in American cooking. Over the following decades, a genre of "pineapple stuffing" or "pineapple casserole" emerged, with a Pennsylvania Dutch version featuring creamed butter and sugar, eggs, and stale bread cubes. This dish then made its way south, appearing in a 1978 Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi cookbook as "Scalloped Pineapple" - a casserole with bread crumbs, pineapple chunks, eggs, sugar, and butter.

  • In the 1920s, Dole Pineapple held a recipe contest asking home cooks to submit their best dishes using canned pineapple.
  • In 1959, Hawaii became a U.S. state, solidifying pineapple's place in American cuisine.
  • In 1978, a "Scalloped Pineapple" recipe appeared in the Southern Sideboards cookbook published by the Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi.

The players

Dole Pineapple

A company that held a recipe contest in the 1920s asking home cooks to submit their best dishes using canned pineapple.

George Washington

The Governor of Virginia who recognized the pineapple as a status symbol in Colonial America.

Thomas Jefferson

An early American who had pineapple pudding prepared in his kitchen.

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What they’re saying

“We've come a long way because the first pineapples on these shores weren't even edible. They were made of wood, stone, silver, brass, and porcelain. Or they were painted on wallpaper. The pineapple was the epitome of style and hospitality in Colonial America.”

— Anne Byrn (southernliving.com)

“Granted, our pineapple casserole with cheese and Ritz is a tad different than Jefferson's pineapple pudding. But I'll bet Jefferson would be amazed at how well pineapple and cheese complement each other on the plate.”

— Anne Byrn (southernliving.com)

The takeaway

The evolution of pineapple casserole from a 1920s recipe contest to a beloved Southern side dish reflects the broader integration of pineapple into American cuisine, from a rare luxury item to a ubiquitous ingredient. This story showcases how regional dishes can spread and evolve across the country, creating new culinary traditions.