Pimento Cheese Spread & Meal Planner Monday

Today's recipe is a Velveeta inspired recipe and also a southern classic Pimento Cheese Spread. When it comes to pimento cheese you either love it or you hate it. Me oh how I love it.  If you are not familiar with pimento cheese it is just the simple blend of cheeses, mayonnaise and sweet roasted peppers known across the south as pimento cheese.

Down in the south pimento cheese is served on just about any occasion, weddings, funerals, church gatherings, potlucks or any family get together.  Pimento cheese is typically served as a sandwich on white bread, then cut into squares or triangles with the crust cut off.

There are many other ways to enjoy pimento cheese, you can spread it on celery, crackers or use it as a topping on baked potatoes or hamburgers. All I know is I have loved this stuff for as long as I can remember.I used to get my pimento cheese fix by purchasing Prices in the grocery store.

Well that is until I found out just how easy it is to make it homemade. About 10 years ago a friend of mine told me how her mother makes pimento cheese spread. I was really curious if it tasted any good so I made it myself. And good it was this recipe is the best i have had. I think the combination of using Velveeta and sharp Cheddar is the best combo.

Some people us just Cheddar but the Velveeta gives it a awesome consistency. If you have never made pimento cheese homemade this is the perfect recipe to try.  My favorite way to eat it is on celery or crackers. What is your favorite way to eat pimento cheese?

These are the ingredients you will need: Velveeta cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, 4 oz jar of pimentos and mayonnaise and salt and pepper which is optional.

Here I am shredding up the cheeses, I know Velveeta makes a shredded blend but I am not sure if it is the same as their block style Velveeta cheese. I just usually shred it myself, it can be a bit messy but so worth it.

Done!

start off by adding half of each cheese to a bowl and then mix. Add the remaining cheese and mix again. I do it this way because it is makes it easier to mix in the Velveeta because it tends to want to stick together.

add the pimentos. You can add half of the 4oz jar all of it or in between its all up to you.

add the mayonnaise and mix well. If the pimento spread it to thin just add more cheese if it is to thick add a bit more mayonnaise. The measurements above to me make the perfect consistency.

Chill for about a hour or two so the wonderful flavors can marry and then serve.

you can spread it on celery, crackers or make little pimento sandwiches with the crusts cut off the true southern way.

Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread

1 1/2 - cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 

1 1/2 - cups shredded Velveeta or use all cheddar cheese

1 - 2 - oz jar diced pimentos, with juice

3 - tablespoons mayonnaise or miracle whip

Make sure all the ingredients are well chilled. Shred the Velveeta cheese and shred Cheddar cheese. 

Add half of the sharp Cheddar cheese to a bowl and then add half of the Velveeta cheese.

Mix well, then add the remaining cheese in the same order. By adding half of each at a time it helps it mix together better. 

Add pimentos and juice, I use about half of the pimento juice. Add the mayonnaise and mix well. If the pimento cheese is to thick you can add more juice or a bit more mayonnaise.

If it is to thin add more cheese, mine was perfect with the above measurements. Let chill and serve on crackers, celery or make finger sandwiches.

Cook's Note: Since posting this recipe Velveeta now comes in shredded packages, so shredded can be substituted for the block Velveeta.