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Creamy Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: Homemade pimento cheese is rich and creamy with a bright cheddar flavor, balanced by cream cheese and mayo. A touch of Dijon and optional cayenne add depth and a hint of heat. It’s versatile — great as a dip, sandwich spread, or party appetizer.

Time: 20 minutes prep + 30 minutes chilling
Equipment: Medium mixing bowl, spatula or spoon
Servings: About 10 (roughly 4 tablespoons each)

A hand dips a round cracker into a bowl of creamy pimento cheese, surrounded by bowls of shredded cheese, diced pimentos, and more crackers.

Just One More Bite…

This is the kind of snack where you plan to take one quick taste and then find yourself standing at the counter, reaching for another. The sharp cheddar gives bold flavor, the cream cheese and mayo create a silky, scoopable texture, and the pimentos add color and a mild sweetness.

Serve it the classic way with saltine crackers or Ritz, smear it on sandwiches and burgers, or melt it into grilled cheese for an indulgent twist. It also works well stuffed into celery boats, mini peppers, or on crostini for entertaining.

What makes this version stand out:

  • Creamy, scoopable texture: The combination of cream cheese and mayo produces a smooth, spreadable consistency that still holds together well when scooped.
  • Make-ahead friendly: Chilling for at least 30 minutes lets the flavors meld and firms the spread slightly, making it ideal for prepping ahead of gatherings.

Ingredient Notes

Full quantities are listed in the recipe card below. Key ingredients to note:

  • Sharp cheddar: Freshly shredded cheddar gives the best texture and flavor. Extra-sharp cheddar adds more bite.
  • Cream cheese: Soften at room temperature so it blends easily with the mayonnaise and shredded cheese.
  • Mayonnaise: Use a full-flavor mayo for the creamiest result. Mayo helps keep the spread smooth and easy to scoop.
  • Diced pimentos: Drain well to avoid making the spread watery. These mild red peppers give the classic color and a touch of sweetness.
  • Dijon mustard: Just a half teaspoon adds subtle tang and complexity without overwhelming the cheese.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder and kosher salt are used for seasoning. Cayenne is optional for a gentle background heat.

How to Make Pimento Cheese

Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl add shredded cheddar, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, drained diced pimentos, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, kosher salt, and a pinch of cayenne if you want heat.

Mix until smooth: Stir the mixture until thoroughly combined. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to lightly mash the cream cheese so it blends evenly with the mayonnaise and shredded cheese. The finished spread should be creamy and easily spreadable while still holding some texture from the shredded cheddar.

Chill: Taste and adjust seasoning, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the flavors meld and gives the spread a firmer, more cohesive texture.

Ingredients for a cheese dip recipe arranged on a countertop, including shredded cheddar, cream cheese, diced pimentos, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and onion powder.
A glass bowl containing shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, diced pimentos, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic powder, and salt.
A glass bowl filled with a creamy pimento cheese dip.
Hands covering a glass bowl filled with a pimento cheese with plastic wrap.

Serve: Offer chilled or at cool room temperature with crackers, vegetables, or use as a sandwich spread.

A round cracker is partially dipped in a creamy cheese and pimento spread, with more crackers visible in the background.

Recipe Variations

  • Spicy version: Fold in 1–2 tablespoons of finely diced pickled jalapeños, increase the cayenne slightly, or add a dash of hot sauce for more heat.
  • Different cheeses: Substitute white cheddar, pepper Jack, or Gouda for a unique twist. Each cheese changes the flavor profile and richness.
  • Flavor add-ins: Try smoked paprika, crisp bacon bits, finely chopped onion or chives, diced dill pickles, fresh parsley or dill, or a little minced garlic to personalize the spread.

Serving Suggestions

With crackers: Saltines are traditional, but any crisp cracker, water crackers, or buttery rounds pair well.

For dipping: Sturdy dippers such as pita chips, crostini, pretzels, or toasted baguette slices stand up well to this spread. For a lighter option, serve with celery sticks, bell pepper strips, or cauliflower florets.

Stuffed bites: Spoon the cheese into celery boats, halved mini sweet peppers, mushroom caps, or small tomato halves for easy party bites.

Sandwiches and burgers: Use pimento cheese in place of mayo or plain cream cheese on sandwiches, burgers, bagels, or sliders for extra flavor and richness.

Grilled cheese: Spread between two slices of buttered bread and toast until melty for a gooey, decadent grilled cheese. It also works in quesadillas or as a broiled open-face topping on English muffins or buns.

A hand holds a round cracker dipped in a creamy pimento cheese with visible bits of red and yellow ingredients.

Storage

Keep pimento cheese refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days. If it firms up in the fridge, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes and stir before serving. Freezing is not recommended because mayonnaise and cream cheese can separate when thawed.

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Recipe

Pimento Cheese

No ratings yet
By Rachel Gurk
Prep Time: 20 mins
Chilling Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Servings: 10
A close-up of a bowl filled with creamy pimento cheese dip containing red pimento pieces, surrounded by round crackers, with one cracker dipped in the mixture.
Homemade pimento cheese is creamy, tangy, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor. It works perfectly as a dip, a sandwich spread, or a party appetizer.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup diced pimentos, well drained (4-ounce jar)
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add the shredded cheddar, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, drained diced pimentos, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne (if using) to a medium bowl.
  2. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy. Use a spoon or spatula to lightly mash the cream cheese so it blends smoothly into the mixture.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the spread firm slightly.
  4. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature with crackers, vegetables, pretzels, or spread onto sandwiches and sliders.

Notes

  • Cheese: Shredding cheese yourself yields a better texture and flavor than pre-shredded cheese. Extra-sharp cheddar intensifies the flavor.
  • Variations: Mix in diced pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, smoked paprika, bacon bits, finely chopped onion, green onion, chives, diced pickles, or fresh herbs to customize the spread.
  • Storage: Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days. Stir after chilling if it has firmed up. Do not freeze.
  • Yield: Makes about 2½ cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 tablespoons — Calories: 183 kcal; Carbohydrates: 2 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 16 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 361 mg. Nutrition information is an approximation.

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