Pimento Cheese Recipe With Cream Cheese

This Pimento Cheese Recipe With Cream Cheese is creamy, easy to make ahead, and works as a dip, sandwich spread, cracker topping, or burger add-on.

What Is Pimento Cheese?

Pimento cheese is a spread made with cheese, pimentos, and a creamy binder. In many Southern versions, that binder is mayonnaise. In this recipe, cream cheese is added too, which gives the spread a thicker texture and helps it hold together when scooped or spread.

The cream cheese makes this pimento cheese spread a little sturdier than a mayo-only version. It still spreads easily after chilling, but it has enough body for sandwiches, celery sticks, crackers, and party trays.

Can You Freeze Pimento Cheese Spread?

You can freeze pimento cheese spread, but it is not the best option if you care about texture. Mayo and cream cheese can separate after thawing, which may make the spread look grainy or watery.

If you do freeze it, use it in cooked dishes instead of serving it as a cold dip. Thawed pimento cheese can work in grilled cheese, baked sandwiches, stuffed chicken, burgers, or warm dips.

For freezing:

• Place it in an airtight freezer-safe container.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Stir well before using.
• Do not refreeze after thawing.

Is Pimento Cheese Healthy?

Pimento cheese can fit into a balanced diet, but it is rich. This recipe uses cream cheese, mayo, and cheddar, so it is higher in fat and calories than a lighter dip made with yogurt or cottage cheese.

That does not mean you have to avoid it. It just means portions matter.

A few ways to serve it in a more balanced way:

• Use it as a spread instead of a large dip portion.
• Serve it with celery, cucumbers, or bell pepper strips.
• Add a small amount to sandwiches or burgers.
• Pair it with lean protein and vegetables.
• Use a stronger cheddar so you do not need as much.

If you are watching sodium, check the salt level before adding more. Cheddar, mayo, and jarred pimentos can already bring salt to the mix.

Where Did Pimento Cheese Originate?

Pimento cheese is strongly associated with the South today, but its earliest versions were not quite the same as the Southern spread people know now. Early pimento cheese recipes appeared in the United States in the early 1900s and often used cream cheese with canned pimentos.

That makes this cream cheese version a nice link to the older style of pimento cheese. Over time, the spread became more closely tied to Southern kitchens, where cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos became the familiar base.

Today, pimento cheese is a staple at cookouts, church gatherings, holiday tables, lunch counters, and home kitchens across the South. It is served cold with crackers, tucked into sandwiches, spooned onto burgers, or baked into hot appetizers.

Storage Instructions

Pimento cheese should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Chilling Time: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Overnight is even better.
• Before Serving: Stir the spread before using, especially if it has been sitting for a day or two.
• Freezer: Freezing is possible, but not ideal for cold serving because the texture can change.
• Room Temperature: Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours.