This old fashioned pimento cheese recipe is sharp, creamy, and comes together in one bowl with no cooking required. This recipe gives you a spread that tastes like it has been sitting on a Southern kitchen counter for decades. Make a batch of this classic Southern Pimento cheese recipe, and it handles lunches, snacks, and sandwiches for the rest of the week.
I am the type of person who loves spreads, so I made this because I wanted something I could keep in the fridge and reach for anytime. Half an hour in the fridge later, I had the best spread on a cracker all year. It has never left my fridge.
Two Cheeses Are Better Than One
Most pimento cheese recipes use only sharp cheddar cheese, but adding Monterey Jack alongside it gives the spread a creamier, more meltable texture that works on everything from crackers to hot sandwiches. The sharp cheddar brings the flavor, and the Monterey Jack brings the body, and together they make a spread that holds without going stiff when it chills. It is a small change that makes a big difference in the final result.
More Than Just a Spread
This pimento cheese recipe does more work than most people expect from a simple cheese spread. It goes on crackers, stuffs into pimento cheese sandwiches, melts onto burgers, and works as a dip with celery sticks or sliced vegetables. This is perfect with some battered air fryer pickles for something crispy, garlic Parmesan chicken wings and air fryer steak tips if you want a main meal with it.
No-Fuss Guide to Making Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe
Here is how to put together a classic pimento cheese spread from scratch with one bowl and five minutes of mixing. Five steps and a short chill in the fridge is all it takes.
Get Your Cooking Crew Ready
- Mixing Bowl: A wide bowl gives you enough room to fold the cheeses without everything spilling over.
- Box Grater or Grater: Use this to shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack fresh from the block.
- Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For folding everything together so the cheeses coat evenly.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Flavor Explosion:
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Shred it very finely for the best texture.
- Monterey Jack: Adds a mild, creamy quality that balances the cheddar’s sharpness.
- Cream Cheese: It forms the silky base that holds the whole spread together.
- Mayonnaise: Loosens the cream cheese base and adds richness.
- Pimentos: They bring a mild, slightly sweet flavor and the signature color.
- Green Onion: Thinly sliced and folded in for a mild, fresh flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory taste without overpowering the cheese.
- Onion Powder: Works alongside the garlic powder to round out the seasoning without adding texture.
- Smoked Paprika: It adds a warm, smoky note that ties all the other flavors together.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste at the end, after everything is mixed.
- Hot Sauce: Just a dash at the end for a little extra spice.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Your Flavor-Packed Game Plan for The Spread
One: Prep Your Ingredients Before You Mix
Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack fresh using a box grater and set them aside. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge ahead of time and let it soften at room temperature so it blends smoothly without lumps. Drain the pimentos well and slice the green onion thinly so everything is ready to go before you start mixing.
Two: Build the Creamy Base
Add the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise to a wide mixing bowl. Stir patiently until they come together into a silky, unified base with no streaks of cream cheese left. This step gives the final spread its smooth, cohesive texture throughout.
Three: Fold in the Cheeses
Add the sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack to the bowl. Fold them into the creamy base using broad, sweeping motions rather than stirring so the cheeses stay intact and coat evenly. Keep folding until every strand of cheese is covered and the mixture looks consistent throughout.
Four: Add the Remaining Ingredients and Season
Pour in the drained pimentos and add the sliced green onion to the bowl. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika over the top and fold everything together so the seasoning distributes evenly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then finish with a dash of hot sauce for a little extra kick in the spread.
Five: Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl or transfer the spread to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. The chill time pulls all the flavors together and gives it that classic old-fashioned pimento cheese taste. Serve cold with crackers or celery sticks, or spread it on warm bread for a cheese sandwich that is hard to stop eating.
Recipe Notes by Zuzana:
The cream cheese has to be genuinely soft before anything else goes into the bowl, or the spread will come out uneven no matter how long you mix it. I rushed the first batch by stirring cold cream cheese directly into the mayonnaise, and ended up with white flecks throughout the finished spread that no amount of extra mixing could smooth out. For a crisp, fresh side, my red onion and cucumber salad is worth making at the same time.
- Always shred the cheese yourself with a grater rather than buying it pre-shredded. The coating on packaged cheese stops it from blending into the spread properly.
- Drain the pimentos thoroughly before adding them. Any extra liquid in the jar will thin out the spread and make it harder to hold its shape.
- The longer it chills, the better it tastes. If you can make it the night before, do it.
- Taste and adjust the hot sauce and black pepper after chilling, not before. The flavors shift slightly once the spread is cold.
Kitchen Q&A: Let’s Crack It
What are the Best Pair-Ups to Try with Classic Southern Pimento Cheese?
This spread goes well with almost anything you put it next to, but it really shines alongside a plate of popcorn shrimp or zucchini bites with chicken for a snack spread. It also pairs perfectly with pan-seared pork loin if you want to build a fuller meal around it. Crackers, warm bread, and sliced vegetables on the side are all you need beyond that.
Keep the spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Give it a quick stir before serving each time since the ingredients can settle slightly as it sits. Do not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours, especially in warm weather.
How to Freeze Old-Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe Like a Pro?
Pimento cheese can be frozen, but the texture of the mayonnaise and cream cheese changes once it thaws, and the spread may turn slightly grainy. If you do freeze it, store it in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before serving to bring it back together as much as possible.
More Easy-Breezy Recipes You’ll Love
If you like recipes that come together fast and stay useful all week, these are worth making next. Bold and zesty high-protein chicken salad is another fridge-friendly recipe that handles lunches and quick meals with zero cooking involved. For something warm to go alongside, feta scrambled eggs casserole is a solid option that comes together quickly and works any time of day.
Round out the week with something fun like cauliflower fried rice, a simple one-pan dish that pairs well with just about anything you are already making. These recipes make it easy to keep things interesting without spending too much time in the kitchen.
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Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Spread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese very finely shredded
- 1 Cup Monterey Jack shredded
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese softened at room temp
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 4 Ounces Pimentos 1 jar, diced, drained well
- 1 Stalk Green Onion thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Pinch Salt
- 1 Pinch Black Pepper
- 1 Dash Hot Sauce for extra punch
Instructions
- Shred the cheeses, soften the cream cheese, drain the pimentos, and slice the green onion.
- Mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Fold in the cheddar and Monterey Jack until evenly coated.
- Fold in the pimentos, green onion, seasonings, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, then serve cold or spread on warm bread.
Notes
- Always shred the cheese yourself with a grater rather than buying it pre-shredded. The coating on packaged cheese stops it from blending into the spread properly.
- Drain the pimentos thoroughly before adding them. Any extra liquid in the jar will thin out the spread and make it harder to hold its shape.
- The longer it chills, the better it tastes. If you can make it the night before, do it.
- Taste and adjust the hot sauce and black pepper after chilling, not before. The flavors shift slightly once the spread is cold.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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