This Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe is a Southern classic that never goes out of style. Made with extra-sharp cheddar, smoky gouda, and tangy pimentos, it's creamy, cheesy, and endlessly versatile. Serve it with crackers and veggies, tuck it into sandwiches, or melt it into a grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort food.
Updated October 24, 2026: I've refreshed this post with new tips, expanded FAQs, and helpful make-ahead instructions based on your questions and feedback. Same delicious recipe, even more helpful! The recipe was originally posted on November 17, 2023, and updated on September 25, 2025.
Old fashioned pimento cheese was always in our fridge growing up, ready to spread onto crackers or pack for a fishing trip. It's a simple, nostalgic favorite that still makes an easy snack.
My version keeps that familiar Southern spirit with a few flavorful upgrades. Extra-sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, and sour cream give the spread a creamy texture with a smoky edge.
Set out a mixing bowl and your cheese grater. Let's get started!
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Why You'll Love This Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese
- Easy mixing - This no-cook spread comes together without turning on the stove.
- Bold flavor - Sharp cheddar and smoked gouda make a rich, savory combination.
- Party-friendly - A bowl of cheese spread belongs on everything from a casual snack board to a holiday table.
- Versatile use - Enjoy it as a dip, sandwich filling, or topping.
Ingredients you'll need
Here's everything you'll need to make this recipe.
- Extra-sharp cheddar and smoked gouda: Cheddar provides the familiar bite, while gouda adds a smoky note. Grating from a block gives you control over the size of the shreds.
- Pimentos: These mild red peppers add sweetness and color. Drain them well so their packing liquid does not thin the spread.
- Sour cream and mayonnaise: Together they bind the cheese into a creamy mixture. Sour cream adds tang while mayonnaise brings richness.
- Old Bay seasoning and smoked paprika: These bring a savory, smoky accent beyond the cheese itself.
- Salt and black pepper: These finish the seasoning. The cheese and Old Bay already contribute saltiness.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
How to Make Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese
Here's a quick overview of the process. Full step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Grate for Texture
Choose a grater opening that makes shreds small enough to blend but still visible in the spread. Very long strands make the finished mixture harder to scoop neatly.
Step 2: Fold Without Mashing
Stir until the creamy ingredients coat the cheese evenly. A spoon lets you combine everything while keeping the character of the grated cheese.
Step 3: Taste and Chill
Give the seasonings a chance to come together in the refrigerator before judging the final flavor. The mixture also firms as it chills, so its freshly mixed texture is not its final consistency.
lakita's Expert Tips
Here are my best tips for making this recipe turn out perfectly every time.
- Choose a roomy bowl: Extra mixing space helps you fold the mixture without spilling cheese over the sides.
- Work with cold cheese: A chilled block is easier to handle than a soft, slippery one.
- Pause before adding more binder: Stir thoroughly before deciding the spread needs extra mayonnaise or sour cream.
- Match the serving tool: A sturdy spreader works better than a delicate cracker for lifting a chilled portion.
- Set out a smaller bowl: Keep the main container refrigerated and replenish your snack board as needed.
- Plan your presentation: Save a few pepper pieces from your prepared ingredients to arrange on top just before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is flexible, here are some easy ways to make it your own.
- Cheddar choice: White or yellow extra-sharp cheddar works for a different appearance.
- Spicy suggestion: Try a little cayenne or hot sauce, adjusting to your taste rather than promising a set heat level.
- Thicker-spread suggestion: The original post suggests cream cheese in place of sour cream; expect a firmer result and adjust cautiously.
- Savory suggestion: Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, or onion powder can take the flavor in a different direction.
- Sandwich option: Tuck the spread into bread for a simple lunch or use it as a filling for grilled cheese.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-Ahead
Make the spread up to one day before serving and refrigerate in an airtight container. This gives the flavors time to mingle while keeping preparation out of the way on party day. Stir gently before transferring to your serving bowl.
Storage & Reheating
Keep pimento cheese refrigerated in a tightly sealed container and use a clean utensil each time. The original post recommends using it within one week; follow the shortest remaining storage guidance for your ingredients and discard it if it has been mishandled. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy mixture can separate. Serve cold as a spread, reheating the whole storage container is unnecessary.
What to Serve with Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese
Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this dish.
- Grilled Cheese - Use the spread as the filling for a warm sandwich.
- Southern Collard Greens - Serve a pimento cheese sandwich with a savory Southern side.
- Sweet and Sour Cabbage - Add a bright, tangy side to a sandwich lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: It is a Southern cheese spread built around shredded cheese, pimentos, and a creamy binder. Families make it differently, and this version adds smoked gouda and sour cream.
A: Pimentos are generally mild, sweet peppers. The smoked paprika and Old Bay in this recipe add seasoning rather than the heat of a hot pepper.
A: Roasted red peppers are a possible substitution if you cannot find pimentos. Drain and chop them well, and expect a slightly different flavor.
A: Using more cheddar instead of gouda is a possible variation. It will remove the gouda's smoky character, so it will taste different from the original.
A: Undrained peppers or excess creamy ingredients can loosen the mixture. Drain the peppers before mixing and let the spread chill before making further adjustments.
A: Cold cheese and the creamy binder firm up together in the refrigerator. Stir the portion you plan to serve before deciding to add more liquid ingredients.
A: You can, but the coating used to keep packaged shreds separate may affect how the spread comes together. Freshly grated cheese is the preferred choice for this version.
A: No, the original recipe uses sour cream and mayonnaise as its creamy base. Cream cheese is only a suggested variation for a thicker spread.
A: A processor can change the spread from a grated-cheese texture to a smoother paste very quickly. Hand mixing gives you more control over the texture shown here.
A: Spread it onto toast or a baked potato for a quick flavor boost. You can also fold it into scrambled eggs, keeping the leftover spread refrigerated until you use it.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 box grater
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup smoked gouda cheese, shredded
- ½ cup pimento peppers, chopped
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Shred the 1 ½ cups cheddar and ½ cup gouda using a box grater (avoid pre-shredded).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cheeses, ½ cup chopped pimentos, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup mayo, ½ teaspoon Old Bay, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
- Stir with a wooden spoon until creamy and fully combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, add a dash of hot sauce if desired.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Please leave a star rating with your review, it helps other readers choose their next recipe. I always enjoy seeing what you make in your kitchen. If you give this old fashioned pimento cheese a try, I'd love to know what you think! Leave a comment below, share a photo on Instagram and tag @SimplyLaKita, or save it on Pinterest for later.
Mary says
Hello; Thank you for the OF Pimento Spread recipe. I wanted to make OF Southern Tea Sandwiches for Mahjongg this coming Friday 7/10/26. Do you have a recipe for OF Cucumber Sandwiches? I wasn't able to search your site.
Thank you
LaKita says
Hi Mary! Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed the pimento cheese recipe. Those sound like the perfect Mahjongg spread! I don't have a cucumber sandwich recipe posted just yet, but it's a wonderful idea and I'll add it to my list. In the meantime, a simple version with softened cream cheese, a little dill, and thin cucumber slices on soft bread works beautifully. 💛
Bibighaus Alexander J. says
Roast a red pepper
Remove skin and dice
This Leaves a little crunch
So much better then bought pimentos
Then proceed with recipe
LaKita says
Love this tip, thank you for sharing! Roasting your own red pepper for pimentos adds such a nice touch of flavor and texture. I’ll definitely have to try it that way next time! 🔥🫑✨