By Millie Peartree
Updated Oct. 12, 2023
- Total Time
- 35 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Rating
- 4(230)
- Notes
- Read community notes
This take on pimento cheese dip, a Southern favorite, brings together three cheeses (cream cheese, Cheddar and Colby Jack), mildly sweet pimentos and spicy hot sauce, then goes into the oven until deeply creamy. You could pair it with some crostini, but buttery Ritz crackers are especially good for scooping. They double down on this spread’s richness and make the dip irresistible enough to be a conversation piece for generations to come.
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Ingredients
Yield:8 to 12 servings
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1(12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained
- 2(4-ounce) jars diced pimentos, drained
- 1jalapeño (optional), chopped
- 1(8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1cup mayonnaise
- 1(8-ounce) block extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 2 cups)
- 1(8-ounce) block Colby Jack, grated (about 2 cups)
- 1teaspoon hot sauce
- 1teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1teaspoon garlic powder
- ½teaspoon ground cayenne
- ½teaspoon coarse kosher salt (such as Morton)
- Ritz crackers, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (10 servings)
501 calories; 46 grams fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 13 grams monounsaturated fat; 12 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 15 grams protein; 593 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
Heat oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8-inch-square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step
2
Drain red peppers and pimentos and pat dry with paper towels. Roughly chop the peppers and jalapeño (if using) and set aside.
Step
3
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and both cheeses. Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne and salt, and stir everything together until well combined.
Step
4
Stir the pimento and pepper mixture into the cheese mixture.
Step
5
Spoon into the prepared baking dish, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, uncovered, until bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with Ritz crackers.
Ratings
4
out of 5
230
user ratings
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Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Mama J
Lawd have mercy yall. Flexing over pimento cheese? The product I grew up with, but never enjoyed, had American "cheese" as it's base, served with Ritz or Wonder Bread. I have had elevated versions like this one. that I admit were actually really tasty. On a recent trip back to Emerald Isle NC, I had the opportunity to sample some homemade Pimemto Cheese of the "cheese product " variety, and I have to say, vile as I still found it, it sparked a Proustian nostalgia that was unexpected.
CM
Add balsamic glaze streaked across the top after it cools but is still warm (magical sweet savory acidic combo) crumble bacon on top if you’re feeling extra. You’ll have none left. Prefer crostinis but any cracker that can carry the weight works. Jalapeños should be done to taste/heat tolerance as you don’t want the heat to hide the flavor. Enjoy :)
A Virginian
Triscuits
Napo Leon
Ritz crackers are sugary and over-processed foodMuch better would be homemade croûtons, or,maybe, slightly toasted tortillas
Sbcali52
My favorite way to eat pimento cheese is on thinly sliced baguette or atop a burger.
GC
Hi! Really love the NYT videos with Millie Peartree! She makes this recipe, for Pimento Cheese Dip, on an episode of Throw Something on the Grill. It is great! She explains and shows you how to make it, why to make it (for fun times with friends, to show love!!) and gives many examples of what you could serve it with (ribs, drinks, corn bread, etc.). Hoping NYT does more videos with Millie! She is so entertaining and educational, both. A breath of fresh air! Good job! Thanks!
Napo
homemade croutons (or slightly toasted tortillas)would be better than Ritz crackers
Mlou
I’m thinking… don’t melt this down…turn it into some type of cheese ball or cheese roll. You’ve gotta add a few southern pecans.
Sarah
Spread on bread instead of mayonnaise for a BLT sandwich and you will be in southern heaven!
Melodie
The flavor of this is awesome but I’ll never heat it again. It was an oil slick after the oven. So I will make it again but serve it cold, or shaped into a yummy cheese ball
Tyler in Brunswick, Ga.
This recipe is a crowd pleaser. I made it for a barbecue at a friend’s house and there wasn’t a bite left. Sprinkle some bacon crumbles on top for the last 5 or so minutes of baking, and drizzle some balsamic glaze over the top. I added a little bit of dried parsley flakes on top to give it some color. Serve it with sliced baguettes that you’ve buttered and put in the oven for a few minutes to crisp them up.
Boots
Wow, this was delicious! It makes A LOT, but luckily, it was a big hit at the party.
CJR
I made this for a retro themed game night and everyone loved it. The recipe suggested serving with Ritz crackers, which I did, along with pretzel chips. The pretzel chips were gone and the Ritz crackers were mostly untouched.
Sue
Really good, and it makes a lot; great for a crowd!
Rich
Made this last night for friends (I was tasked for the appetizer), served with sourdough crostini instead of crackers. Wouldn't change a thing.
Sue
Really good and so easy! Because of grandkids, I left out the hot sauce, and not being a southerner, I had nothing to compare it to, but we all loved it, and I will make it again. Makes a large quantity; perfect for a party! Leftovers for lunch today.
J. Sykes
Brought to a July 4th party and it was a huge hit. Decadently delicious. Caution: it creates a lot of oil, and the only reason I warn the reader is for travel purposes. I put the covered dish in an insulated carrier, and that into a plastic laundry basket with other items. The dip shifted in transit and -- I am not exaggerating -- nearly a cup's worth of oil leaked onto everything. Thank goodness for the laundry basket.
Sue
Top shelf, near the roasted red peppers in my grocery; not an exotic product, should be easy to find in any grocery store.
Anna
and where on earth does one find jars of diced pimentoes???
Tina Millard
Usually.in one's grocery store on a top shelf because they are sold in 2 ounce or 4 ounce glass jars. At that size you would not see them if they were below eye-level. Ask your grocer to show you.
J. Sykes
I found them above olives, alongside the capers.
Don
They also come in an 8 oz. size in my grocery. That's the size I use when I make pimento cheese as I make a lot so it lasts.
Jessica
How long will it keep? Making this for my husband who has fond memories of it as a Southerner, but he's used to the cold version, which works as a dip or as a spread... wondering if this baked version will hold up in the fridge for a few days or a week if we don't eat it all first!
Sue
I reheated my leftovers for lunch today (after making for party yesterday); due to its being so full of dairy products, I would not keep it for more than 3-4 days, in fridge. It would not be difficult to halve the recipe if you're concerned about storage; it does make a large portion.
Kristine
Halved it for a taste testing w/home roasted peppersDefinitely not the stuff in a jar I loved as a child of the West CoastPassed the taste test w/flying colorsThank you
Sarah
Spread on bread instead of mayonnaise for a BLT sandwich and you will be in southern heaven!
GC
Hi! Really love the NYT videos with Millie Peartree! She makes this recipe, for Pimento Cheese Dip, on an episode of Throw Something on the Grill. It is great! She explains and shows you how to make it, why to make it (for fun times with friends, to show love!!) and gives many examples of what you could serve it with (ribs, drinks, corn bread, etc.). Hoping NYT does more videos with Millie! She is so entertaining and educational, both. A breath of fresh air! Good job! Thanks!
Mlou
I’m thinking… don’t melt this down…turn it into some type of cheese ball or cheese roll. You’ve gotta add a few southern pecans.
A Virginian
Triscuits
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