Add some Southern charm to your next gathering with Hot Pimento Cheese Dip! This creamy, cheesy delight is a tantalizing combination of sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and flavorful pimentos. When baked, it transforms into a molten pool of gooey goodness that's hard to resist. It's the perfect warm dip for crackers, veggies, or crusty bread, and makes for an appetizer that your guests will rave about.
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What Makes Hot Pimento Cheese Dip the Perfect Game Day Cheese Dip?
You may think that Baked Pimento Dip is purely a Southern thing, but believe it or not, this beloved dip came out of New York! Regardless of where the brilliant idea to combine cheese, pimentos, mayo, and spices originated, the dish has become a real national favorite.
And why not? It is so simple to make, yet incredibly satisfying, that no matter which team you root for, you should definitely be cheering for the person who brings this tailgating classic to the party.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This version of the traditional dip pays homage to the original but still manages to have a few tricks up its sleeve. Perhaps the boldest change is saying 'see you later' to bland cream cheese and opting to use two types of cheddar cheese instead.
Cheese is the VIP here, so the spice level is dialed back to mild to highlight the star better. But of course, you can always pump the heat back up if that's your thing.
Baked Pimento Cheese Dip Ingredients
To prepare this dip, you'll need:
- Mayonnaise
- Diced pimentos, jarred
- White onion
- Extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dried crushed red pepper
Ingredient Notes and Recipe Variations
Yes, you will use both sharp and extra-sharp cheddar cheeses in this pimento cheese recipe. The term "sharp" describes how long the cheddar is aged; the sharper, the older, and the more intensely flavored the cheese becomes. If you strongly prefer one type of cheddar over another, go with the one you like, but be sure to use a whole pound of it.
It is best to buy the cheese in blocks and grate it yourself because some manufacturers of pre-shredded cheese add anti-clumping ingredients that can prevent the cheese from smoothly melting.
If you want to kick up the heat and make a spicy pimento cheese dip, add a few dashes of hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper.
How to Make Warm Pimento Cheese Dip
To prepare this baked Pimento Cheese Dip recipe:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Drain the jar of diced pimentos and dump them into a large bowl.
- Finely grate the white onions into the mixing bowl.
- Grate all the cheddar cheese directly into the bowl.
- Stir well to combine thoroughly.
- Transfer the cheese mixture to a greased baking dish. All the dip should fit comfortably in a 1-½ quart baking dish, or try using several smaller baking dishes to allow you to serve freshly baked dip through the night. At this point, you can cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and stick it in the fridge overnight before baking.
- Put the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese bubbles and the edges brown. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the dip cool for a minute or two before serving while still warm.
You can serve the dip in the dish it was baked in or spoon it into a serving bowl.
What to Dunk Into Hot Pimento Cheese Dip
Warm cheese goes with just about anything, but here are some favorite dippers you may want to try:
- Crackers. Stay away from Saltines and Ritz Crackers, and stick with heartier varieties like Stoned Wheat Thins or Triscuits.
- Pretzels. Both hard and soft pretzels will work well here.
- Toasted bread. Thinly sliced and toasted Italian or French bread rounds really allow the taste of the dip to shine.
- Chips. Thick-cut potato chips, bagel chips, pita chips, and tortilla chips are all great options.
What to Serve Warm Pimento Cheese Dip With
Pimento Dip is perfect for any informal get-together and goes with a wide variety of other casual snacks such as chicken wings, loaded potato skins, sliders, and mini sandwiches. You can serve your favorite cold dip for a tasty temperature contrast.
Homemade Pimento Cheese
Guess what? If you don't bake the dip, you have regular pimento cheese, a southern staple enjoyed for generations. Grab a couple of slices of bread and make a pimento cheese sandwich. It's awesome on burgers too.
How to Store the Leftovers
Just to be safe, toss any remaining dip that you served. Tightly cover any unserved dip with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for up to three days. Freezing will ruin the smooth texture of the dip.
What's the Best Way to Reheat It
Warming up leftover dip is easy in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Make sure the dip is in an oven-safe dish. Remove the plastic wrap and cover the top of the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake the dip in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until warm.
More Dips for Game Day
Find lots of tasty and easy dip recipes right here on Game Day Eats!
Hot Pimento Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 1 4-ounce jar diced pimentos drained
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon finely grated onion
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 8 ounces extra sharp cheese grated
- 8 ounces sharp cheese grated
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients (except for the crackers) and mix thoroughly.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased 1 ½–quart baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Serve with crackers.
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