A southern specialty for my favorite midwesterner
Until I met my fella, I had pretty much lived my whole life without Pimento Cheese. Though I had a vague idea what it was, it wasn't a regular guest in our house growing up. So, I assumed his adoration with the dish was a "charming midwest thing" - a category where I organize the things he loves or grew up with that I don't really understand.
Once I finally tried it, I realized I had definitely been missing out and because my charming midwest fella puts up with my teasing, I decided to develop this Pimento Cheese recipe for him. In actuality, Pimento Cheese is actually a southern specialty, with a pretty traditional base of cheese, mayo, and pimentos blended together, with additional ingredients added to your taste. I like to give ours a small kick with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper, but if you prefer yours on the mild side, it's super tasty without.
Pimento Cheese in 5
This Pimento Cheese is awesome eaten as a classic dip with low-carb veggies and parmesan crisps or used as a spread for sandwiches or burgers. The best part? This labor of love takes a whopping 5 minutes or less in your food processor.
Pimento Cheese
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: approx 5 ¼ cups 1x
- Category: Appetizers & Bites
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Pimento Cheese is a southern specialty with a base of cheese, mayo, and pimentos blended together, with additional ingredients added to your taste. I like to give ours a small kick with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper, but if you prefer yours on the mild side, it's super tasty without.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (I like to use this lactose-free version but you don't have to)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp mayo
- ¼ c diced pimentos
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne (omit for a milder mix)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until well-incorporated. I like to leave mine a little chunky, so I am careful not to over-blend.
- Store in a covered glass dish in the refrigerator until ready to use. Cheese will soften slightly after a few minutes at room temp, making it perfectly spreadable.
Notes
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 97
- Sodium: 134 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
Shashi at SavorySpin says
I've lived in the South for most of my life and have yet to make my own pimento - that needs to change eh?!
Whip & Wander says
Definitely! It sounds like you've found your next southern recipe to try!
camila says
Ohhhh now this is my kind of dip for real!!! YUMMY!!
linda spiker says
I am pretty much all about anything involving cheese:)
Whip & Wander says
Me too! Cheese is the best!
Sandi says
Pimento Cheese is one of our go to's during fall. Love your recipe.
Whip & Wander says
What a great way to ring in the fall months!
Valentina says
First of all, I LOVE the title to your recipe. 🙂 Very cute. I also love pimentos! My grandmother always had dozens of cans of them in her pantry and used them all the time in her cooking. Now I do the same. The dip sounds delish!
Whip & Wander says
Yum! Sounds like your grandmother was a great cook!
Veena Azmanov says
I love how the cheese got such a pretty color from the pimento. This would make a perfect picnic food for us in the coming weeks. I love such food that you don't have to work hard all the time. Sounds yum.
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says
I didn't know what pimento cheese was either until a friend from the south always made it for our gatherings. It's so good! I'll have to try it with dairy free cream cheese too. Yum!
Marisa Franca says
What a pretty color. It looks like it could be the whole party!! I've tasted pimento cheese spread but I've never tasted a homemade version. From what I've seen of the ingredients -- the homemade would be out of this world. Will have to give it a try.
Whip & Wander says
Homemade is almost always better, in my opinion. I hope you give it a try!
Julie says
This sounds so tasty! I will have to try it out!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Well this is a win win ... love cheese, spreads and appetizers and a bonus is that its easy too!
Karen says
I will always be a fan of an easy recipe! Love how it can be made for 5 minutes only.
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says
My dad loves this stuff, though he's from Illinois... I wonder what's the connection there?!
Whip & Wander says
My fella is from Illinois as well. There must definitely be something going on there!
Amber Battishill says
Mmmm, pimento cheese is definitely one of my favorites and a staple at every midwest gathering! LOL. Love the simplicity and quickness of this recipe!
Em Smith says
A healthy perfect snack! I love cucumbers, even my kids love it too!
Nicole Pyles says
I can't believe how doable this is! I loooooove cheese too 🙂
Chanell says
So excited to try this! It looks super simple and extra yummy! I might score some extra brownie points with the hubby when I make this!
Amanda says
I'm not a fan of pimento cheese, but my hubby will be all over this! I love the cream cheese idea.
Amanda says
I love quick and easy recipes like this. My hubby would love this for our next date night in!
Emily says
This looks so good! I'm definitely going to make it next time I need a dip!
Glenny says
wow this looks so easy an yummyyyy to make. I can't wait to try this recipe out one day