Hot Pimento Cheese Dip: A Warm, Creamy Southern-Style Appetizer

Hot Pimento Cheese Dip is a rich, creamy, cheesy appetizer made with sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, and simple seasonings. It takes the classic Southern pimento cheese spread and turns it into a warm baked dip with a golden, bubbly top and a soft, melty center.

This dip is perfect for parties, game nights, holidays, family gatherings, or anytime you want a quick comfort-food appetizer. It is easy to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and tastes delicious with crackers, toasted bread, chips, pretzels, or fresh vegetables.

What Is Hot Pimento Cheese Dip?

Pimento cheese is a classic cheese mixture usually made with shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It is often served cold as a spread, but when baked, it becomes even richer and more flavorful.

Hot Pimento Cheese Dip has a creamy base, a strong cheddar flavor, a mild sweetness from the pimentos, and a slightly tangy taste from cream cheese and mayonnaise. When it comes out of the oven, the top is golden and bubbly while the inside stays smooth and scoopable.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese or mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 jar diced pimentos, drained, about 4 oz
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Optional Add-Ins

• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• ¼ cup cooked crumbled bacon
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup diced jalapeños
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

For Serving

• Crackers
• Tortilla chips
• Toasted baguette slices
• Pretzels
• Celery sticks
• Carrot sticks
• Pita chips

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C.

Choose a small baking dish, oven-safe skillet, or casserole dish. A 1-quart or 1.5-quart dish works well for this recipe.

Lightly grease the dish with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the dip from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Step 2: Soften the Cream Cheese

Place the cream cheese at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before mixing.

Softened cream cheese is much easier to blend and gives the dip a smooth texture. If the cream cheese is too cold, the mixture may become lumpy.

For a quicker method, place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not melt it completely; it should only be soft.

Step 3: Mix the Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise.

Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. You can use a spoon, spatula, hand mixer, or whisk.

The cream cheese gives the dip thickness and richness, while the mayonnaise adds smoothness and tang. Together, they create the creamy base that holds the cheese and pimentos together.

Step 4: Add the Seasonings

Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a small pinch of salt.

If you want a little heat, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

Mix well until the seasonings are evenly blended into the creamy base.

Smoked paprika gives the dip a warm color and a subtle smoky flavor, while garlic and onion powder make the cheese flavor deeper and more savory.

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