Recipes Ideas

Baked Ham Pineapple Casserole

Few dishes elicit more excitement at the table than a beautifully baked ham, glistening with a sticky brown sugar glaze and adorned with juicy pineapple rings. This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake is the perfect union of flavors: sweet, salty, tangy, and deeply savory.

Whether it’s for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a special Sunday supper, this dish turns a simple ham into a centerpiece. And despite its show-stopping appearance, it’s easy to prepare, feeds a crowd, and is wonderfully budget-friendly for the flavor it delivers.

🛒 Ingredients: What You’ll Need

🐖 For the Ham:

  • 1 bone-in fully cooked ham, 7–10 pounds (butt or shank portion)

  • Whole cloves (optional, for studding the ham)

🍍 For the Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze:

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)

  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from the can of pineapple rings)

  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or yellow mustard

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice (optional for spice lovers)

🍍 For Topping:

  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple rings, in juice, not syrup

  • Maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)

  • Toothpicks (for securing pineapple/cherry decorations)

✅ Note: This recipe works with spiral-cut or uncut hams. If using a spiral-sliced ham, reduce baking time slightly and baste more often to avoid drying out.

📐 Choosing the Right Ham

Bone-in vs Boneless:

  • Bone-in hams retain moisture better, offer better flavor, and make a stunning presentation.

  • Boneless hams are easier to carve but slightly less flavorful.

Butt vs Shank:

  • Shank hams are easier to carve and slightly fattier—perfect for this glaze.

  • Butt hams are meatier but a bit trickier to slice neatly.

🧠 Pro Tip: The bone from a baked ham can later be used for soups, stews, or beans—don’t throw it away!

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔹 Step 1: Preheat and Prep

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

  2. Unwrap the ham and place it on a large roasting pan with a rack.

  3. Score the fat: Use a sharp knife to make shallow diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern across the surface of the fat. This helps the glaze penetrate.

🔪 Optional: Insert whole cloves at the intersections of the scoring pattern for an old-fashioned look and added spice.

🔹 Step 2: Prepare the Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine:

    • 1 cup brown sugar

    • 1/2 cup pineapple juice

    • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

    • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

    • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

    • 2 tbsp butter

    • Optional: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground cloves

  2. Bring to a gentle simmer and stir until everything is melted and blended into a smooth glaze (5–7 minutes).

  3. Remove from heat and set aside. It will thicken slightly as it cools.

🍯 Note: You can make the glaze up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge.

🔹 Step 3: Decorate with Pineapple and Cherries

  1. Drain the can of pineapple rings, reserving the juice (you’ve already used it in the glaze).

  2. Arrange pineapple rings over the ham using toothpicks to secure them.

  3. Optional: Add a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring for color and a retro touch.

📸 Instagram-worthy Tip: A fully adorned ham with pineapples and cherries is festive and nostalgic—perfect for photos!

🔹 Step 4: Bake the Ham

  1. Tent the ham loosely with foil to prevent over-browning during the first part of the bake.

  2. Place the roasting pan on the center oven rack.

  3. Bake for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C) before glazing.

📏 Example: A 9-pound ham will need about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

🔹 Step 5: Glaze and Finish Baking

  1. Remove foil once the ham reaches 130°F.

  2. Increase oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

  3. Brush a generous layer of glaze over the ham.

  4. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30–45 minutes, basting with more glaze every 10–15 minutes.

  5. Ham is done when internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) and the glaze is sticky and caramelized.

🔥 Watch closely toward the end so the glaze doesn’t burn!

🔹 Step 6: Rest and Carve

  1. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for at least 15–20 minutes before carving.

  2. Transfer to a carving board or platter.

  3. Slice against the grain, starting from the bottom and working around the bone.

🪓 For spiral hams, simply lift slices away—no major carving required.

🧑‍🍳 Serving Suggestions

Your Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake deserves the right companions. Here are a few crowd-pleasing side dishes:

Classic Pairings:

  • Creamy mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes

  • Green bean almondine or roasted Brussels sprouts

  • Buttery dinner rolls or sweet cornbread

  • Mac and cheese

  • Glazed carrots or sweet potato casserole

Sauce Ideas:

  • Pineapple-mustard sauce (use extra glaze)

  • Apple chutney

  • Dijon cream sauce

🧊 Storing Leftovers

Refrigeration:

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

  • Keep extra glaze separately for reheating.

Freezing:

  • Slice ham and wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, or use freezer bags.

  • Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating:

  • Reheat slices in foil in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes.

  • Add a drizzle of glaze or pineapple juice to keep moist.

♻️ Leftover Ideas: Reinvent Your Ham

Turn leftovers into delicious next-day meals:

  1. Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

  2. Pineapple Ham Fried Rice

  3. Ham and Swiss Sliders with Dijon glaze

  4. Ham and Bean Soup (use the bone!)

  5. Ham-stuffed Omelets or Quiches

  6. Ham Salad Sandwiches

💡 Tip: Chop leftovers into 1-cup portions and freeze for fast meal additions.

🔬 Why This Recipe Works

This classic dish is more than just delicious—it’s rooted in cooking science:

✅ Sugar + Heat = Caramelization

The brown sugar and pineapple juice caramelize as they bake, creating a sticky, glossy crust.

✅ Acidity Balances Salt

Pineapple juice and vinegar cut through the saltiness of the ham, balancing flavors beautifully.

✅ Fat = Flavor Carrier

The ham’s natural fat carries the glaze flavors deep into the meat, especially when scored.

🌍 Cultural Notes & History

The tradition of baking ham with pineapple originated in the early 20th century in America, popularized in part by Hawaiian influence and canned pineapple marketing in the 1920s–50s. The presentation—glazed, ringed with fruit, and often studded with cloves—became a symbol of hospitality and holiday celebration.

🧪 Flavor Variations & Twists

🍊 Orange Marmalade Ham:

Substitute half of the brown sugar with orange marmalade in the glaze for a citrusy twist.

🌶️ Spicy Pineapple Ham:

Add 1–2 teaspoons of chili flakes or sriracha to the glaze for heat lovers.

🥃 Bourbon-Glazed Ham:

Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the glaze for a smoky, sophisticated note.

🌱 Herb-Infused Glaze:

Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs to the simmering glaze for earthy depth.