Easy Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe

Sharp cheddar, Colby Jack and cream cheese are blended with spices to create this classic Southern staple. Pimento Cheese is easy to make and crazy addictive.

Pimento Cheese is one of those foods that looks kind of mysterious. I was a little scared to try it the first time it was served to me. We were visiting my mother-in-law, who just happened to live in South Carolina at the time, and she served Pimento Cheese Dip as part of a cheese platter. There it was, heaped in a bowl…kinda orangish, pinkish, white with little flecks of red throughout. A little lumpy, not too smooth…I didn’t know what to make of it. When she told me what it was…it didn’t really sound like something I’d want to stuff my face in. Like Pimento Loaf. Don’t love it. Not one bit. So, pimentos…I wasn’t a fan.

But I had just survived the longest train ride in history and if you have ever taken the train through the south recently….you will totally understand how I was feeling. The dining car was not worthing of dining so I was hungry….ravenous at that point and would have eaten squirrel if it was served up on a platter. Or even a shoe. So, I dug in. And couldn’t stop. It was amazing, creamy, sharp and perfect on a crisp cracker. I was IN LOVE. Since that time I’ve had Pimento Cheese in some amazing recipes. Grilled cheese sandwiches made with this stuff are phenomenal. Try it….you’ll never go back to your regular old american grilled cheese again. Unless you run out of Pimento Cheese but now I’ve solved that problem because it’s super easy to make.

My easy Pimento Cheese recipe has a little kick from the addition of cayenne pepper. If you want to omit it because you don’t like spicy food it’s fine but it really doesn’t make it super spicy. It just lends a slight background kick after you had a few bites. This spread makes an excellent addition to your Super Bowl spread and I’ll be sharing a few recipes in the next few days to make your game day eats even more epic. It would be fabulous served alongside my Sweet and Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Or it’s also perfect for your Kentucky Derby party along with this lighted up Kentucky Hot Brown or this Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake. Now, go make some. Really. Go!

And if you have leftover Pimento Cheese spread….it goes so amazingly in this killer mashed potato recipe OR you can dress up some deviled eggs for a fun and tasty twist on the classic. It’s also so fab stirred into this crab dip. Be sure to follow along on Instagram because I have some big plans for the rest of my Kentucky Derby spread this year….and let’s not forget the Master’s. This is fab for those lazy days watching all the golf and pretending it’s not snowing in April.

Pimento Cheese Spread

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Total Time

Yields 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 6 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons chopped pimentos

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whip the cream cheese using a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the cheddar, colby jack, mayonnaise, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper and continue mixing on medium speed until well blended. Add the pimentos and mix to combine.
2. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. The spread will last up to 3 months in the refrigerator.

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