Pimento Cheese (American South)

My favourite Southern-style homemade pimento cheese recipe is super-easy to make and tastes delicious as a spread, dip, or however you'd like to serve it.

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1 (4 oz) pkg pimentos, diced or roasted red peppers, drained and diced
2 cups (8 oz) extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup mayonnaise, such as; Hellmann's
¼ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. smoked paprika
a few shakes hot sauce
fine sea salt
black pepper, freshly cracked

Combine cream cheese, pimentos, cheddar cheese, green onions, mayonnaise, garlic powder, paprika, hot sauce and a pinch of salt and black pepper in a mixing bowl, stir until evenly combined.

Season. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or hot sauce, if needed.

Serve. Serve immediately, or transfer to a sealed jar or food storage container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Makes about 8 servings.