This Easy Pimento Cheese Recipe with Smoked Gouda can be put together in 10 minutes. It's perfect as a dip for your next party or to spread on sandwiches, burgers or baked potatoes!
Recently, my family ate at Myron Mixon's Pitmaster BBQ Restaurant. My husband and son can't get enough BBQ and since we were in Alexandria, they wanted to try the champion pitmaster's brisket and ribs.
The food was great and while the boys love the smoked meats, I am all about appetizers and sides. We ordered some pimento cheese spread with crackers.
This was the first time I had this and it was so good that I thought I should recreate an easy homemade pimento cheese recipe in my own kitchen. All the simple ingredients for this southern classic were easily available at my grocery store.
What is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento Cheese is a popular spread in the south. It typically consists of cheese, mayonaise and pimento peppers. It can be served as a dip or spread on sandwiches. It is sometimes referred to as the pâté of the south as this easy recipe is a southern favorite.
The pimento cheese I made contained extra-sharp cheddar cheese, smoked Gouda and cream cheese. The combination was perfect and the smoked Gouda cheese gave it the perfect balance of smokiness.
The other additions of pimentos and spices gives the cheese spread the perfect bite. A little mayonnaise binds everything together.
I prefer to mix everything with my Kitchen Aid stand mixer so it's creamy. It's also perfectly fine to mix this easy cheese spread by hand if you like it a little chunky. A hand mixer also works well. You can also mix it in a food processor to make an even smoother and creamier cheese.
Ingredients Needed
- hard grated cheese - I used half sharp cheddar and half smoked Gouda but feel free to use all cheddar if you don't want the smoky flavor. The great thing is that you can use different types of cheese that are your favorite. I prefer to grate the cheese myself with a box grater as pre-shredded cheese can cause a bit of a different texture.
- mayonnaise - this binds all the ingredients together.
- cream cheese - it provides the creamy texture of this pimento cheese dip. If you let the cream cheese come to room temperature, it will be easy to mix.
- diced pimentos - they have lots of flavor. If you can't find them, use chopped roasted red peppers instead. I often get this brand of Pimentos.
- spices - a little onion powder, dry mustard and cayenne pepper provide lots of flavor but add or leave out any spices you'd like. You could also add garlic powder or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy little kick.
- parsley - I use dried or fresh to garnish this cheese appetizer.
How to Make Pimento Cheese
- Put all ingredients in a big bowl (except cayenne pepper).
- Mix with a spoon or with an electric mixer until smooth or until you get the consistency you like. Add a dash of cayenne pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving or up to 24 hours before serving. Sprinkle with dried parsley, if desired.
How to Serve Pimento Cheese
If you need a last minute party appetizer, this cheese spread is a perfect appetizer to serve with crackers or toasted bread. I also love it as a sandwich spread on burgers and stuffed in baked potatoes.
It is also good eaten with a spoon when my family is not looking. This recipe makes a big batch so I can do that. And I still have plenty extra for potatoes, sandwiches and burgers.
This is one of my regular new years eve appetizers that I make every year. If you make this Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese recipe, I promise you everyone will be happy. It's also great for football season or any game day.
Trust me, this easy pimento cheese recipe will be one of your favorites!
Storage/ Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in your refrigerator. This recipe makes a large bowl so you can easily half the recipe if you don't want leftovers. My family likes leftovers so we love the large quantity. This leftovers of this southern pimento cheese recipe is great on celery sticks for snacking or between two slices of white bread for a grilled cheese sandwich.
Need some other easy appetizer recipes?
- Pan Fried Chinese Dumplings
- Creamy Feta and Roasted Pepper Dip
- Pesto Tortellini Skewers
- Tomato, Bacon and Avocado Crostini
- Shrimp Nachos via Souffle Bombay
- Pinwheel Antipasto Skewers
If you like this Pimento Cheese Recipe, please give it a 5-star rating below.
RECIPE
Easy Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces pimentos chopped roasted red peppers can be substituted
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- cayenne pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a big bowl (except cayenne pepper). Mix with a spoon or with an electric mixer until smooth or until you get the consistency you like. Add a dash of cayenne pepper to taste. refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving or up to 24 hours before serving. Sprinkle with dried parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
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celeste wright
Oh I think this would be great for the football games coming up. Thanks for the recipe.
tiffany Montgomery
Oh I love Pimento Cheese! So excited to have found this recipe! Looks easy enough I couldn't mess it up.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
We love cheese pimiento and this just looks so delicious!
Maggie Unzueta
Wow..this looks so delicious! I would love to try making this at home! My family will surely enjoy this Pimento Cheese.
Becca Wilson
This looks like it would be so good. I absolutely love to put this on my crackers but have never made anything like it myself.
Liz
Happy New Year, Lisa!!! I've only just discovered pimento cheese a year or so ago, and your recipe sounds perfect! I can't wait to give it a try!!
Helene
Happy New Year! I can't wait to try your dip one of these days. I tend to enjoy a light lunch so I can see myself adding your pimento cheese dip into a sandwich
Deb hart
Pimento is the tree that produces allspice. Pimientos are the sweet peppers stuffed into olives and used in pimiento cheese. Often misspelled, but a food writer should know the difference. For reference, notice the brand you linked in your blog. Typos can be overlooked but continuous use begs the expertise of the platform.
lisa
Hi Deb,
I see what you are saying however in the English dictionary (in the US) the spelling pimento has evolved to mean a sweet pepper. Of course it can also mean the term for allspice. I hope I didn't confuse you as when I refer to pimento, I am talking about the pepper.
Best,
Lisa
Joe
Deb / Karen ,
Is this what you do ? Scan thru recipes looking for errors ? To never even comment on the recipe itself ? For gods sake ! I’m looking for good recipes, not a dissertation on pimientos or pimentos ! I knew exactly what she meant with her spelling and usage .
Get a life
Sherri
Hello there fellow Jersey Girl! I just stumbled upon your recipe on Pinterest and wanted to stop by to tell you it looks divine! As a self-proclaimed "cheeseivore" and big fan of pimentos, I am super excited to give it a try! Happy New Year! 🙂
Rhonda Gales
This spread looks delicious. I'll be adding it to my Game Day Roundup. Thanks for sharing.
Terri
What a delicious recipe! Can't wait to try this!
Kelly
Pimento cheese is my favorite appetizer to make for parties!
Alyssa
This was incredible and so easy!
Linda
I can picture myself eating this all by myself. So creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a sandwich.
Sandra Shaffer
I have all of the ingredients to make this pimento cheese spread. This will go perfect on a slice of toasted French bread for dinner tonight. Something a little extra to share with our guests tonight. Thank you!
Sandra Black
Give it a try tonight! Looks delicious!
Stephanie
Oh my! This looks just amazing. I am bookmarking this to try out for my next gathering of friends.
Felicia Elkin
This looks delicious! Under the nutritional value how much is a serving for those numbers.
lisa
Felicia,
I estimated that this recipe makes about 16 servings. One serving is 207 calories but of course I am not a nutritionist and this is just an estimate.
Lisa
Helen F
Bet this would be yummy with deviled eggs! Just mix the cooked yellows in with the cheese mixture and then fill your eggs!
lisa
Helen,
Thanks for the idea! That would be really good!
Lisa
Nelda Price
Looks so good
lisa
Super easy to make too!
Angela
I never eat pimento cheese because I gag at the thought of eating mayo. Is there another binder of some sort that would work in this other than mayonnaise? Or could you leave it out altogether?
lisa
Angela,
If you like sour cream, you could definitely substitute that.
Lisa
Maria Turner
Absolutely loved it! I made it and put some on an everything bagel. Definitely a 5 star . Thank you
lisa
Hi Maria,
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lisa
Lynne
So glad I found this easy to make recipe. Sounds delicious. A few items to pick up at the grocery store and it’s made. Thanks for sharing.
lisa
Your welcome Lynne!
Becky
Just made this and it’s delicious! Can’t wait to taste it after the flavors all meld in the refrigerator overnight. Thanks for the easy and delicious recipe!
lisa
Thank you Becky! Glad you enjoyed!
Lisa
Monique
Looooved your pimento cheese! I made another batch and added 1/2 tsp curry powder. Delish!!
lisa
Glad you enjoyed Monique! Thank you for the review!
Lisa
Christine
This looks very good.Please send me the website.com
lisa
Not sure what you mean? Recipe card is right here 🙂
Shannon
This is the easiest recipe and I have made it three times since discovering it about a month ago. 🤭 It is THAT good. Thank you for sharing!
Debbie McCaffrey
Lisa, which brand of Mayo do you recommend?
lisa
I typically use Hellmanns but have also had good results with other brands. Enjoy!
Lisa
Hovawart
We live in California, and have access to many kinds of fresh and dried peppers. Are they preferable to canned peppers (pimentos) in this recipe?
lisa
Hello,
While I love all kinds of fresh peppers, in this recipe, I prefer jarred peppers because you want a mild sweet taste with creamy texture.
Thanks for reading,
Lisa
Sara
Loved it. Made it for a football party Thanks!
lisa
Hi Sara,
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!
Lisa
Ashley
So excited to make this! Do you drain the pimentos? Or leave the juice for flavor?
lisa
Hi Ashley,
Yes, definitely drain the pimentos as you don't want it watery. I'll add that in the recipe notes and thanks for asking.
Lisa
Kathleen Walker
Excellent and I forgot the mayonnaise!