I fell in love with Paula Deen Pimento Cheese recipe from the very first bite. That’s because it truly captures the essence of Southern comfort food with its creamy and melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet and tangy flavors.
Thus, the dip goes with just about everything. However, one of the reasons why this recipe stands apart from the others is that it makes use of two varieties of cheese that takes the flavor profile to the next level.
Along with cheddar cheese, which you will find in most recipes, this recipe also calls for the use of Monterey Jack cheese. It gives the dip a superior texture and taste.
Furthermore, this recipe also uses Paula Deen’s special house seasoning. I love putting the house seasoning in almost everything because it is a versatile blend of ingredients that can elevate the taste of any recipe. It does the same with this recipe too.
So, dear friends, if you’ve been searching for a dip that can be spread on crackers, stuffed in a sandwich, or melted into grilled cheese, you simply must give this Paula Deen Pimento Cheese recipe a try.
Equipments Required
- Bowl – You will need a medium-sized bowl to prepare the dip.
- Electric Mixer – An electric mixer will help you beat the cream cheese.
- Spatula – A spatula will help you mix all the ingredients.
Paula Deen Pimento Cheese Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The recipe ingredients I’ve mentioned below are good enough for serving 10 portions.
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise: You should use full-fat mayonnaise for the creamiest results. However, if you are following a low-fat diet, you can also make use of low-fat mayonnaise.
- 1 Cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese: If you don’t find Monterey Jack cheese, you can use Colby cheese, Muenster, or Edam cheese in its place.
- 1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese: Unable to find Cheddar cheese? Worry not, you can replace it with Pepper Jack or Asiago cheese.
- 8 oz Cream Cheese: If you don’t have cream cheese at home, you can make use of cottage cheese.
- 3 Tbsp Diced Pimentos: Sometimes it can get difficult to find jarred pimentos. Therefore, I recommend using roasted bell peppers.
- 2 Tsp Grated Onion
- ¼ Tsp Paula Deen House Seasoning: Paula Deen house seasoning is a unique blend of spices that can be used in many recipes. The best part is that you can make it at home easily.
- Salt To Taste
- A Dash of Black Pepper
Preparation And Cooking Time
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|---|
10 Minutes | 10 Minutes | 20 Minutes |
How To Make Paula Deen Pimento Cheese At Home
Step 1
Mix mayonnaise, Monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, diced pimentos, grated onion, Paula Deen house seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
Step 2
Beat everything with an electric mixer at medium speed and Pimento Cheese is ready. Serve with crackers.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- Start with high-quality cheese: The key to a flavorful pimento cheese is using good-quality cheese. Therefore, I recommend you to use sharp cheddar cheese. However, for a unique twist, you can also experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack or Gouda.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: For the best results, it’s important to use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese as it has a powdery coating that can affect the consistency.
- Use A Stand Mixer: If you are planning to make a big batch of pimento cheese, using a stand mixer would be convenient. However, don’t end up over mixing the ingredients.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Before preparing the dip, ensure the ingredients are at room temperature as they will blend more easily and evenly to provide a consistent texture.
- Experiment with Mix-In: To boost the flavor profile of the dip, our chef suggests adding crispy bacon bits, chopped jalapenos, or roasted garlic.
- Serving Temperature: Take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before consuming to achieve the ideal serving temperature.
FAQs About Paula Deen Pimento Cheese Recipe
Nutritional Information Per Serving
If you take care of your daily calorie intake to maintain a healthy body, you would be happy to know that Paula Deen’s pimento cheese is healthy to eat in moderation. That’s because it doesn’t come loaded with calories or fats.
Calories | 250 kcal |
Fat | 24 g |
Cholesterol | 49 mg |
Sodium | 279 mg |
Potassium | 63 mg |
Sugar | 1 g |
Protein | 6 g |
Another good news is that Paula Deen’s pimento cheese is naturally keto-friendly and gluten-free. So, if you follow any of these two diets, you don’t need to think twice before digging into it.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
A lot of people have started following a vegan diet. If you are one of them, don’t be disheartened looking at the ingredients list of this recipe. That’s because you can make a vegan-friendly version of pimento cheese by using vegan cheese or blended cashews as the base.
Storing And Reheating This Recipe
Storing Pimento Cheese
- In Refrigerator: The deliciousness of pimento cheese makes me go so weak on the knees that I always end up making extra. But the only way to enjoy it for more days is by storing it properly. So, if you are planning to make some extra pimento cheese, store leftover cheese in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It has a shelf life of about a week.
- Storing Pimento Cheese In Freezer: I have never tried freezing this dip because the texture of frozen cheese changes to crumbly when thawed. Thus, it spoils the authentic texture. However, if you are okay with a little change in texture, go ahead and try freezing a small amount. Do come back to share the results.
Reheating Paula Deen Pimento Cheese
Pimento Cheese is typically served slightly chilled, but not straight out of the refrigerator as the cream cheese hardens. However, you can warm it a little in the microwave for 20 seconds if you enjoy a more melty and creamy consistency.
What To Serve With This Recipe
- Pimento Cheese Dip – Pimento cheese is best used as a dip because of its creamy texture. So, enjoy it with fresh and raw veggies like carrots, cucumber, celery, and bell peppers or with your favorite chips.
- Pimento Cheese Sandwiches – You can make delectable sandwiches by spreading pimento cheese between two slices of your favorite bread.
- Pimento Cheese Spread – The creamy texture and savory taste of pimento cheese makes it an excellent choice to use as spread on toasts, bagels, wraps, and quesadillas.
- Pimento Cheese Stuffed Peppers – We have also used pimento cheese as a stuffing for peppers, chicken, eggs, baked potatoes, pasta, and grits.
Printable Version
Paula Deen Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese (grated)
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (grated)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 3 tablespoons Pimentos (diced)
- 2 teaspoons Onion (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon Paula Deen House Seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper ( a dash)
Equipment
- Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Spatula
Instructions
Video
Notes
- Start with high-quality cheese: The key to a flavorful pimento cheese is using good-quality cheese. Therefore, I recommend you to use sharp cheddar cheese. However, for a unique twist, you can also experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack or Gouda.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: For the best results, it’s important to use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese as it has a powdery coating that can affect the consistency.
- Use A Stand Mixer: If you are planning to make a big batch of pimento cheese, using a stand mixer would be convenient. However, don’t end up over mixing the ingredients.  Â
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Before preparing the dip, ensure the ingredients are at room temperature as they will blend more easily and evenly to provide a consistent texture.
- Incorporate Fresh Herbs: I once added chopped fresh herbs to the dip and the result was amazing. You can try it too!
- Experiment with Mix-In: To boost the flavor profile of the dip, our chef suggests adding crispy bacon bits, chopped jalapenos, or roasted garlic.
- Add Worcestershire Sauce: If you are a fan of umami flavors, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
- Serving Temperature: Take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before consuming to achieve the ideal serving temperature.
Nutrition
Other Paula Deen Recipes That We Covered
Conclusion
We have come to the end of the article, and I’m sure you are all geared up to whip up this lusciously creamy pimento cheese recipe. But after you try it out, we request you to leave feedback about the recipe for your fellow readers. It can help them learn more about the recipe and potentially answer any questions they may have.