5 from 6 votes
Pimento Cheese
This classic Southern Pimento Cheese is a delicious make-ahead cheese spread that always vanishes fast! Try it with crackers and veggies for a speedy snack or as a tasty sandwich spread to jazz up your lunch.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings:
16
servings
Calories:
121 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6 oz cream cheese softened, plain
- 8 oz cheddar cheese coarsely grated (white, yellow, or a mix, extra sharp
- ¼-⅓ cup mayonnaise quality
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼-½ tsp paprika sweet
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes crushed
- ⅛ tsp salt or season to taste, fine sea salt
- ½ cup Pimentos plus extra to taste, jarred, diced
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese and combine with mayo, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Whip using an electric hand mixer (my method of choice) or mash well with a fork until well blended.
- Add diced pimentos, straining off any of the liquid from the jar.
- Freshly grate sharp cheddar cheese (it's a bit more flavorful than bagged if you have time for the extra step) and add to the bowl. Add drained pimentos.
- Blend with a hand mixer on lowest setting or mix well with a fork.
- Allow to chill in the fridge until ready to dive in. It's great the first day and fantastic the next!
- After it's had some time to chill, feel free to add extra spices and even extra pimentos if you'd like. Simply dive in with a cracker or celery stick and and give it a taste first, then adjust as desired for your dream pimento cheese!
- Serve with an assortment of crackers and fresh veggies. It's also amazing as a sandwich spread, stuffed into sweet mini peppers, in grilled cheese, and melted on burgers/veggie burgers too!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Craving a little heat? You can absolutely make it as spicy as you'd like! Add extra crushed red pepper flakes or sprinkle some ground cayenne pepper into your cheese spread. You can also add minced jalapeño pepper to the pimento cheese (I do this all the time - so good!) for a fiery kick!
- Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy! Each serving is approx. 1 oz or 2 TBSP.
Nutrition Information
Calories
121kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
26mg
(9%)
Sodium
169mg
(7%)
Potassium
40mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
480IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
112mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 121
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 121kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 169mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 40mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 480IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 112mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.