Sweetpea’s Baked Pimento Cheese Dip

Sweetpea’s Baked Pimento Cheese Dip is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! Made with hand-grated cheese, Duke’s mayo, and roasted red peppers, it’s perfect served hot with tortilla chips or cold on crackers.

You’ll Love This Recipe Because…

• 🧀 It works two ways: a cold, spreadable pimento cheese and a hot, melty baked dip
• 🔥 It’s rich, creamy, and balanced—not gloopy or overly mayonnaise-heavy
• 🌶️ You can customize the heat with pickled jalapeños
• 🥂 It’s the kind of recipe people ask about every single time you serve it
• 💛 It’s simple enough for a weeknight snack, but special enough for a dinner party

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The Best Baked Pimento Cheese Dip (That Actually Holds Its Own)

Let’s talk about pimento cheese for a second.

Somewhere along the way, it turned into a whipped, overly smooth, mayonnaise-heavy spread that barely resembles cheese. And while I’ll never turn down a good Southern staple… I want my pimento cheese to feel like cheese first.

This version is different.

We’re keeping the texture with hand-grated cheese, layering in flavor with a mix of cheddar, Muenster, and Gruyère, and balancing everything with just enough Duke’s mayo to bring it together—without turning it into a dip that slides off your cracker.

And then? We take it one step further.

Because while this is incredible cold (think sandwiches, crackers, celery sticks), my favorite way to serve it is baked until warm, melty, and bubbling, with tortilla chips and a little pile of pickled jalapeños on the side.

It’s cozy. It’s nostalgic. It’s just a little bit indulgent.

And it’s the kind of thing that makes people gather around the table without even realizing it.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, hand grated
• 8 ounces Muenster cheese, hand grated
• 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, hand grated
• 4 ounces chive & onion cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup Duke’s mayonnaise
• ½ cup diced roasted red peppers (or drained pimentos)
• 1 teaspoon house seasoning
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 4 green onions, sliced

Optional:

• 2 tablespoons diced pickled jalapeños (mixed in or served on the side)

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Why These Ingredients Work

This isn’t just a random mix—each ingredient has a purpose:

• Cheddar gives you that classic pimento cheese flavor
• Muenster melts beautifully and adds creaminess
• Gruyère brings a subtle nuttiness that makes people go, “Wait… what is that?”
• Cream cheese binds everything together without needing excess mayo
• Duke’s mayonnaise adds richness and that signature Southern tang
• Roasted red peppers give sweetness and color
• Worcestershire sauce deepens the flavor (don’t skip it!)
• Green onions add freshness and bite
• Pickled jalapeños cut through the richness with just the right amount of heat

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How to Make Sweetpea’s Pimento Cheese

Step 1: Grate Your Cheese

Hand grate all of your cheeses.

This step matters more than you think—pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that keep it from melting properly and can affect the texture.

You can choose to use a rotary grater like this one to help with the process!

Step 2: Mix It All Together

In a large bowl, combine:

• Grated cheeses
• Cream cheese
• Duke’s mayo
• Roasted red peppers
• House seasoning
• Worcestershire sauce
• Green onions

Mix until everything is evenly combined.

Now, y’all. I have *thoughts* on mixing your pimento cheese!

Since we want it to hold it’s ‘cheese shape,’ that means we’re not going to use a stand mixer. You can use a hand mixer, like this Kitchenaid Cordless Hand Mixer one, but really, I usually mix it with just my hand!

Step 3: Let It Rest

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

This gives the flavors time to come together and makes the texture just right.

Step 4: Choose Your Serving Style

For Cold Pimento Cheese:
Serve straight from the fridge on crackers, sandwiches, or veggies.

For Baked Pimento Cheese Dip:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Transfer a portion to a baking dish
• Bake for 10–15 minutes, until hot and melty

Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

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Tips & Tricks for the BEST Pimento Cheese

• 🧀 Always hand grate your cheese – this is non-negotiable for texture
• 🥄 Don’t overmix – you want strands of cheese, not a paste
• ❄️ Let it chill before serving – flavor develops as it rests
• 🔥 Bake only what you need – keep the rest cold for later
• 🌶️ Add jalapeños bite-by-bite if you’re serving a crowd with different spice preferences
• 🧂 Taste and adjust seasoning before chilling

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What to Serve With Baked Pimento Cheese Dip

This is where the fun begins.

Classic Pairings:

• Tortilla chips (my personal favorite)
• Buttery crackers
• Toasted baguette slices

Fresh Options:

• Celery sticks
• Cucumber slices
• Bell pepper strips

Turn It Into a Meal:

• Spread on burgers – try it on this Dynamite Burger Recipe!
• Melt into grilled cheese
• Add to a chicken sandwich
• Spoon over roasted potatoes

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The Story Behind This Recipe

Years ago, at Tupelo Honey Cafe, I ordered something that changed my expectations forever: hot pimento cheese with tortilla chips.

It was warm, gooey, just a little indulgent—and completely unforgettable.

But what really made it?
The pickled jalapeños on the side.

That little hit of acidity and spice cut through the richness and made every bite better than the last.

So naturally… I came home and started testing.

This version is my love letter to that experience—with a little Sweetpea twist.

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FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it’s better that way. Make it up to 2–3 days ahead and store in the fridge.

Can I freeze pimento cheese?

I don’t recommend it. The texture can become grainy once thawed.

What’s the best cheese substitute?

If you don’t have Gruyère, you can use Monterey Jack or more Muenster.

How do I make it spicier?

Mix in diced jalapeños or add a splash of hot sauce.

Can I use jarred pimentos?

Absolutely—just make sure they’re well drained.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those recipes that quietly becomes your thing.

The one people ask you to bring.
The one that disappears first.
The one that turns a regular Tuesday into something worth gathering for.

Because it’s not just about the dip.

It’s about what happens when you set it down on the table, hand someone a chip, and say—

“Go ahead, try this.” 💛

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