Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese This version is super creamy from cream cheese with a little bit of crunch and heat from the jalapeno pepper.

Football party. After school snack. Lunch box favorite. Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese is the perfect spread for any occasion. This is Southern pimiento cheese with a little kick!

Can't stand the heat?  Just omit the jalapenos or make sure to remove all the seeds and membrane from the jalapenos. Want a little more? Leave in a few seeds. This version is a little extra creamy than my Pimiento Cheese with Fire Roasted Peppers because it has more cream cheese.

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I didn't grow up eating Pimiento Cheese spread, but once I tried it when I moved to Alabama in 1989, it was love at first bite! Now, I am a self-proclaimed pimiento cheese connoisseur. I like it with bacon, too...but then I like anything with bacon.

If you want to experiment and stray from the traditional Cheddar cheese, trade out mild cheddar with sharp, smoked, or white cheddar. If I'm watching my calories but craving the creamy goodness, I'll make it with 2% cheddar, Neufchatel (lite cream cheese), and reduced-fat mayo made with olive oil.

What are fire-roasted peppers?

Fire Roasted red bell peppers from a jar or roasted over a gas flame on my stovetop adds a little smoky flavor instead of the standard jar of pimiento peppers. I used fire roasted red peppers from a jar in my Pimiento Cheese with Fire Roasted Peppers. Like it crunchy? Just chop up some raw, red bell peppers.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

I don't recommend pre-shredded Cheddar cheese because it has potato starch (and often cellulose-derived from wood pulp-read about it here) added as anti-caking ingredients. That's right! When you are making pimiento cheese, take a few extra minutes and shred your own cheese. It will "stick together" better, tastes better, and it's cheaper than pre-shredded.

Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese is extra creamy because I add a little more cream cheese and use a little less mayo than my Pimiento Cheese with Fire-Roasted Peppers.

Let me know your favorite way to make this iconic Southern treat!

Watch me make Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese on ABC 33/40's Talk of Alabama

More snack and party recipes you may love:

More yummy snacks and appetizers for your next party! Pimiento Cheese with Fire-Roasted Peppers,  3 Ingredient Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Pecans, and Bacon-Wrapped Dove Jalapeno Poppers. Try them and leave a comment to let me know how you like them.


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Print Recipe

Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese

After school snack. Lunch box favorite. Party cheese spread. Southern with a little kick! Can't stand the heat? Just omit the jalapenos. Want a little more? Leave in a few seeds. My pimiento cheese spread is extra creamy because I add a little cream cheese and cut back on the mayo.

Ingredients

• 1/2 8-oz package cream cheese or 1 (3-oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 8-oz blocks mild or sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons chopped pimiento from the jar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper
• 1 tablespoon grated or finely chopped sweet onion
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a medium size bowl until all ingredients are incorporated.
• You can also use an electric hand mixer. Spread on crackers for a snack or appetizer or between bread for a sandwich.

Notes

Tips: Not in the mood for an arm workout? Shred the two blocks of cheese in seconds using the shredding attachment of the food processor. To soften cream cheese quickly, microwave on HIGH for 20 seconds. Note: This spread makes an awesome grilled cheese sandwich!