Pimento Cheese Dip

By Millie Peartree

Updated Feb. 19, 2025

Pimento Cheese Dip
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(307)
Comments
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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

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8-inch-square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. Step 2

    Drain red peppers and pimentos and pat dry with paper towels. Roughly chop the peppers and jalapeño (if using) and set aside.

  3. 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.

  4. Step 4

    Stir the pimento and pepper mixture into the cheese mixture.

  5. 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
307 user ratings
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Comments

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.

A Virginian

Triscuits

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!

MinNJ

This was a crowd pleaser! I made with pepper jack because I could not find Colby. Otherwise followed directions and served with tortilla chips.

Hula frances

Never, ever use cream cheese to make pimento cheese. Mayo only, preferably Duke’s….

MimiRubin

My 14 yr old granddaughter asked me for this for her birthday party! ‘Nuff said! Before I turned around, it was gone as a Thanksgiving appetizer! Just fabulous!

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