Baked Pimento Cheese Dip

Hot, bubbly, and guaranteed to steal the show.

Every Southern hostess knows that pimento cheese is already close to perfect—but honey, bake it up in a cast iron skillet and suddenly you’ve got folks scraping the bottom of the dish with a cracker, trying to act like they ain’t.

This recipe is everything you love about the original—sharp cheddar, creamy mayo, and those sweet little pimentos—but turned up a notch with melted cheese, a golden top, and a little kick if you want it. It’s cozy, crowd-pleasing, and best served right out of the oven while everyone’s still behaving themselves.

🍴 Servings:

Serves 6–8 as an appetizer
(Or just 1 if no one’s watching…)

🛒 Grocery List:

• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (again, we love Duke’s)

• 1 (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, drained

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp onion powder

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Optional: pinch of cayenne or splash of hot sauce

• Crackers, toasted baguette slices, or celery for serving

👩‍🍳 Directions:

1. Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a small baking dish or cast iron skillet.

2. Mix the dip:
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar, cream cheese, mayo, pimentos, garlic powder, onion powder, and any optional spice you like. Stir until well blended and smooth.

3. Bake until bubbly:
Spread the mixture into your baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is hot and bubbly.

4. Serve hot:
Remove from oven and let it sit just a minute or two (if you can wait). Serve warm with crackers, crusty bread, or veggies.

📝 Southern Tip:

Use block cheese for best results.
Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smooth, so grate it fresh for that creamy, gooey texture we all want in a baked dip.