I can’t begin to remember how many Saturday afternoons mom would call us in for a lunch of chips and her homemade pimento cheese sandwiches. Now this wasn’t just any pimento cheese mind you. It was mama’s pimento cheese. Anyone in Gilbert, America could tell you anything mama touched in the kitchen turned to sheer love.

Over the years I learned to make a lot of mama’s recipes and knew better than to try to make them any better. Her pimento cheese was one. What I did however, was take her recipe and make it in more ways than just one, adding more flavors as they came to mind. Over this past weekend, with some extra time on my hands, I decided on not one, but TWO batches of mama’s pimento cheese, with two twists on one of her classics. …and an EXTRA surprise at the end y’all 😉

I’m gonna hush up now because we gotta whole lotta cookin’ goin’ on in this HERE post!

Mama’s Pimento Cheese Gussied Up As:

Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese with Bacon

INGREDIENTS:

• 1- 8 oz. block cream cheese
• 12 oz. grated Smoked Gouda Cheese
• 1 small jar pimentos
• 3 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (Use GOOD bacon, DO NOT SKIMP here)
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 tsp. Liquid Smoke
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 pinch red pepper
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

In a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese. Add mayo and continue to whip until creamy. Add cheese and balance of ingredients and continue to mix until well blended.

BONUS! How about Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese with Bacon Baked Macaroni & Cheese! This was served with Fresh Collard Greens and BBQ Pork Chops for Sunday dinner as shown above. (Complete recipe for the mac n cheese below)

We’re not done yet! I told you there was some good cookin’ going’ on today! Next on the list is:

Mama’s Pimento Cheese Gussied Up As:

Pepperjack Pimento Cheese with Diced Jalapenos

INGREDIENTS:

• 1- 8 oz. block cream cheese
• 12 oz. grated Pepperjack Cheese
• 1 small jar pimentos
• 3 diced Jalapeno Peppers
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 tsp. hot sauce – Your choice, everbody has a favorite (I like Frank’s Red Hot myself)
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 pinch red pepper
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

In a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese. Add mayo and continue to whip until creamy. Add cheese and balance of ingredients and continue to mix until well blended.

This particular Pimento Cheese is FANTASTIC on Burgers with Grilled Pineapple or caramelized onions, and as a topper on Sweet Potato Fries with Sausage Gravy!

And, what you’ve been waiting for….

Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese with Bacon Baked Macaroni & Cheese

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 box large elbow noodles – prepared & drained
• 1 batch Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese with Bacon
• 3 Slices bacon – Cooked & Crumbled
• 1 stick butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

Melt stick of butter by stirring into hot noodles. Mix in batch of pimento cheese and egg. Pour mixture into greased baking dish. Pour milk over casserole and bake at 375 for about 30-40 minutes or until set. Do not overcook, but make sure filling is completely set. Oven times may vary and I check every 5-10 minutes near the end of cooking time. Top with warm, crumbled bacon.

Chef’s Note: Cream Cheese was one of mama’s special ingredients. If you like your pimento cheese creamier, you can add more mayo until you reach the desired creaminess and texture. Keep in mind the spread will firm up more as it refrigerates. You can also substitute the cream cheese with sour cream, ricotta or plain Greek Yogurt. With the base recipe given, this is one you can play with substitutions until you have created one that fits you perfectly!

I like easy. Life is too short to eat ugly food!