This pimento cheese ball recipe is about 50 years old. It’s fantastic, but I remember getting the recipe at a church get-together. I can’t remember who brought the cheese ball, but everyone wanted the recipe.
It’s creamy, with pimento cheese spread, cream cheese, butter, and seasonings rolled in chopped pecans. It’s perfect for your holiday parties, football games, and most any get-together.
Do you love appetizers as much as I do? I love homemade dishes, particularly when people say they’re their favorite. It’s fresh, and you can’t buy it at the store.
What To Serve With a Pimento Cheese Ball
The beauty of a Pimento Cheese Ball is that it goes with almost anything crunchy, crisp, or savory! Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a game-day get-together, or a cozy family night, these pairings will make your appetizer table shine.
Classic Crackers and Dippers
Nothing beats the traditional combo! Choose a mix of textures and flavors for your guests:
- Buttery Ritz or Club crackers
- Wheat Thins or Triscuits for a hearty crunch
- Pretzel crisps or bagel chips for a salty bite
- Breadsticks or toasted baguette slices
Fresh Veggies for a Lighter Touch
Add color and freshness with crisp veggies that balance the rich cheese:
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Bell pepper strips
- Cherry tomatoes
Savory Meats and Extras
Turn your Pimento Cheese Ball into a charcuterie-style centerpiece! Try adding:
- Smoked sausage slices or salami
- Prosciutto or ham rolls
- Pickles or olives for a tangy pop
- Roasted nuts (like pecans or almonds) for crunch
Southern-Inspired Pairings
If you’re keeping with a Southern theme, here are some perfect partners:
- Buttermilk biscuits
- Cornbread crackers
- Fried green tomatoes
- Sweet gherkins or bread-and-butter pickles
You can talk to each other, laugh together, and sometimes even cry together. Life is good when you have time together with friends and family. A Pimento Cheese Ball is the perfect party centerpiece, creamy, nostalgic, and crowd-pleasing. Pair it with a mix of crunchy, fresh, and savory sides, and your guests will keep coming back for more!
I quote Wikipedia, “In the cuisine of the Southern United States, pimento (or pimiento) cheese is a spread or relish made with cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos.”
Mark and I went to three stores, and every store was sold out of pimento cheese spread! I had to order mine from Amazon. Pimento Cheese Spread
Kitchen Items You May Need
The Delicious Origin of the Pimento Cheese Ball
If you’ve ever dipped a cracker into a creamy, tangy, nut-coated cheese ball at a party, you’ve likely tasted one of the South’s most beloved appetizers, the Pimento Cheese Ball! But where did this flavorful favorite come from? Let’s explore its cheesy history.
The Humble Beginnings of Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese, often called “the caviar of the South,” has roots that stretch back to the early 1900s. It all started when cream cheese became commercially available in the U.S. around 1910, and sweet red pimentos (imported from Spain) were canned for easy use.
Home cooks began mixing the two with grated cheddar, salt, and a touch of mayonnaise. What started as a simple sandwich spread quickly became a Southern household staple.
The Cheese Ball Era of the 1950s
Fast forward to the 1950s and 1960s, when cocktail parties and social gatherings were in full swing. Homemakers were looking for easy, make-ahead appetizers that looked elegant on a table.
That’s when the Pimento Cheese Ball made its debut! People took their favorite pimento cheese spread, rolled it into a ball, coated it with crushed pecans, walnuts, or herbs, and served it with crackers. It was the perfect blend of convenience and Southern charm.
A True Taste of Southern Hospitality
Over the decades, the Pimento Cheese Ball has become a holiday favorite, showing up at Christmas parties, church gatherings, picnics, and family reunions. Its creamy texture, mild spice, and nostalgic flavor capture everything special about Southern comfort food.
Whether you make it traditional or add your own twist (like spicy jalapeños or smoky paprika), one thing’s for sure: this cheese ball brings people together!
Pimento Cheese Ball
Step One
You know by now, I like to gather the ingredients so I’m ready to make the recipe.
Step Two
Start by placing the butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl to soften.
Step Three
When it is soft enough, beat the cream cheese and butter together with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the pimento cheese spread, the cheese, and the seasonings.
Step Four
Mix until thoroughly combined.
Step Five
Scoop the ingredients into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Step Six
Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and mold the mixture into a ball. Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans.
Finished Product
Serve with celery sticks or any of a variety of crackers. One of our favorite crackers is called Chicken in a Biskit. We also really enjoy a variety of Wheat Thins. Give your favorite a try and enjoy.
Pimento Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 -ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 5-ounce jar of pimento cheese spread
- 1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
- Garlic powder to taste
- Onion powder to taste
- 1-1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
Instructions
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Start by placing the butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl to soften
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When it is soft enough, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth with a hand mixer.
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Add the pimento cheese spread, the cheese, and the seasonings. Mix until thoroughly combined.
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Scoop the ingredients into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
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Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
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Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and mold the mixture into a ball.
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Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans.
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Serve with celery sticks or crackers. Enjoy.
How do I store the pimento cheese ball?
Keep the cheese ball tightly covered with plastic wrap, or store it in a Tupperware-type container in the refrigerator.
How long will the cheese ball keep in the refrigerator?
It depends on the freshness of the ingredients, but it should typically keep for 1-2 weeks if stored properly in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze the cheese ball?
I wouldn’t recommend it because the texture may change. If you saw my last cheese ball recipe, Harry mentioned, “At my house, there wouldn’t be any left to freeze!” I got the giggles, I loved it!
Would low-fat cream cheese work in this recipe?
Yes, it would work. It will cut the calories and shouldn’t affect the flavor! Sometimes the texture is different to me, but everyone has their own preference.
Could I use different nuts?
Just about any nut will work; I have used sliced almonds and even chopped walnuts.
Could I roll the cheeseball in herbs?
The nice thing about this cheese ball is you can leave it plain, skip the nuts, or roll it in freshly chopped, basil, parsley, or rosemary leaves.
Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely, I have used sharp cheddar, sharp white cheddar, and even mozzarella. This cheese ball is so versatile, make the recipe your own way!
In case you missed this post, the Classic Bacon Cheese Ball
Final Word
I really hope you try making my pimento cheese ball for your next family and friends get-together. Life is good when a support system surrounds us. Stay positive, stay well, stay safe. Please pray for our country right now. From its early 1900s beginnings to its 1950s party fame, the Pimento Cheese Ball continues to charm generations with every creamy bite. Next time you roll one up for your guests, you’re not just serving a snack — you’re sharing a slice of Southern history! May God bless this world, Linda
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