Southern Pimento Cheese

I call this an “easy-living” recipe because you can make it in less than 5 minutes with simple ingredients.

A heaping schmear on a cracker, one bite and you get it! You’ll understand why people are crazy over pimento cheese spread. It’s tangy, creamy, cheesy, and downright fantastic! 

Why We Love This Recipe

• First, it’s a cheese spread and cheese makes everything better!
• The cheddar cheese and the tangy pimentos give this spread the right about of tartness with the cream cheese makes it smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
• The recipe is ridiculously easy and quick to make any time and you’ll want to keep a jar on hand at all times.

Pimento Cheese Ingredients

• Cheddar Cheese – Use a medium to mild cheddar for this recipe because so the cheddar doesn’t overpower the pimentos.
• Pimentos – You can buy a small jar of pimentos in any grocery store. They are in the pickle section. I keep a jar in my pantry so I can whip up Southern Pimento Cheese whenever I’d like.
• Cayenne Pepper – This is what I call an optional ingredient. But I recommend that you try it the first time because it’s just a small amount and it really doesn’t make the spread too spicey. On the other hand, if you’d like a bit more spice, feel free to add more cayenne pepper.

Let’s Make Southern Pimento Cheese

1. Mix together the cream cheese and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. Add the spices, pimentos, and cheddar and mix again, just enough to incorporate all of the ingredients.

Reader Questions

Krazy Kitchen Mom Tips

• I recommend using room temperature cream cheese so it’s easier to mix and mixes thoroughly with the mayonnaise.
• Use a block of shredded cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated with a preservative that prevents the cheese from clumping which will affect the creaminess of this recipe.
• To make this cheese spread even creamier, just put all of the ingredients into a food processor rather than using a mixer.
• This recipe should be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will last for 1 week.
• Try a pimento cheese sandwich! Spread the mixture on a slice of bread, add thinly sliced cucumbers, and top it with sprouts.

Other easy recipes

• Boursin Stuffed Mini Peppers
• Marinated White Bean Salad
• Honey Thyme Grilled Apricots
• Melon Ball Prosciutto Salad
• Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza

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Southern Pimento Cheese

Ready in 5 minutes. You'll want to keep a jar in the refrigerator all the time.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheese spread, pimento cheese spread

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Author: Laura Franco

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 8 ounces of cream cheese – softened at room temperature
• 20 ounces 2.5 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 4 ounce jar of diced pimentos – strained save 1 TBS of the liquid
• 2 TBS pimento liquid
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Mix together the cream cheese and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Add the spices, pimentos, and cheddar and mix again, just enough to incorporate all of the ingredients.
• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

• I recommend using room temperature cream cheese so it’s easier to mix and mixes thoroughly with the mayonnaise.
• Use a block of shredded cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated with a preservative that prevents the cheese from clumping which will affect the creaminess of this recipe.
• To make this cheese spread even creamier, just put all of the ingredients into a food processor rather than using a mixer.
• This recipe should be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will last for 1 week.
• Try a pimento cheese sandwich! Spread the mixture on a slice of bread, add thinly sliced cucumbers, and top it with sprouts.