Description
This Homemade Pimento Cheese recipe is a creamy, flavorful cheese spread made with sharp cheddar, parmesan, cream cheese, and pimiento peppers, balanced with spices and mayonnaise. Perfect as a snack or appetizer served alongside crackers, pretzels, or tortilla chips, it combines tangy, spicy, and savory notes in a smooth, spreadable texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (not powdered)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
Mix-ins & Seasonings
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s or Blue Plate preferred)
- 8 ounces jarred pimiento peppers, drained and rinsed
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
To Serve
- Crackers
- Mini pretzel twists
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Grate Cheeses: Grate the sharp cheddar cheese using a food processor or box grater to ensure freshness and ease. Finely grate the parmesan cheese with a hand grater or zester to produce a fine, even texture that blends well.
- Mix Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, combine the grated cheddar, parmesan, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimiento peppers, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly for about 2 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well-blended.
- Chill: Transfer the cheese spread to a covered container and refrigerate for at least two hours. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and develop depth, enhancing the overall taste.
- Serve: Before serving, bring the pimento cheese to room temperature for the best texture and flavor. Serve alongside your choice of crackers, mini pretzel twists, or tortilla chips for a delightful snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Using freshly grated cheeses improves texture and flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness according to taste.
- Allowing the cheese spread to sit overnight will intensify the flavors even more.
- Keep the spread refrigerated and consume within 4-5 days for freshness.
- This recipe is customizable by adding extras like chopped jalapeños or extra spices if desired.
