Pimento cheese is widely identified as being southern food. The interesting thing is that it did not start out that way. It was a delicacy for the rich because of expensive ingredients of cheese and imported Spanish peppers. Tea sandwiches made with it were served at high-class events across the nation. Once commercially made cheeses were available and pimentos grown in the south, it went from being expensive to something mill workers would have for lunch. How it became identified as southern is no matter. What does matter is how incredible it is when it is made into a grilled pimento cheese sandwich.
This is an ultimate hot and gooey sandwich. Melted pimento cheese oozes out as you slice it in half or take a bite. It drips down on your fingers which makes it finger-licking awesome. Use hearty country-style white bread to hold up all the gooeyness. I used the recipe for pimento cheese balls (minus the pecans) and grilled it between slices of bread slathered with butter.
What wine to pair with a grilled pimento cheese sandwich? It was not an easy task for me. The mixture of sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, and pepper jack cheeses was challenging because different wines pair with each one. Then the mayonnaise and pimento peppers added, even more, complexity. I reached out to the wine pairing Sunday Supper contributors, Eileen of Wine Everyday and Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog. They both suggested Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Noir which worked nicely. The dryness cuts the fat of cheese and mayo. Earthy flavors compliment the pimentos. And Pinot Noir is such a versatile wine for pairing.
April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Sunday Supper is proud to partner with Gallo Family Vineyards to share recipes to celebrate all the goodness of hot, toasty, melty, cheesy sandwiches. Scroll down to find the list and links to each one. We have an incredible lineup and wine pairings too.
More on Gallo Family Vineyards: You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Their website has information on all Gallo Family wines, a , and pairing guides.
Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cream cheese at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon grated onion
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of fresh ground pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 jar chopped pimentos 4 ounces, drained
- Thick slices of hearty white bread
- Butter softened for easy spreading
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, process cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the shredded cheeses and pimentos and pulse to combine. Do not over-process. Transfer pimento cheese to a bowl and stir if needed to combine ingredients thoroughly. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
- Heat a skillet or griddle to medium heat. Do not get too hot or it will burn the butter and bread.
- Butter one side of two bread slices. Spread a thick layer of pimento cheese on the un-buttered side of a bread slice.
- Place pimento cheese covered bread slice butter side down in the skillet. Cover skillet with a lid and cook for 1 minute.
- Remove lid and top sandwich with the other slice butter side up. Cook until bottom is lightly browned and toasted.
- Flip sandwich over and cook until the other side is lightly browned and toasted.
- Transfer sandwich to a plate and slice in half.
- Repeat with remaining bread and pimento cheese or grill 2 to 4 sandwiches at a time, depending on size of skillet. Do not over-crowd the skillet.
- Refrigerate extra pimento cheese for up to 5 days.
Notes
Do you enjoy grilled cheese sandwiches? Take a look at these by Sunday Supper contributors featuring or paired with Gallo Family Vineyards wines:
- Apple, Prosciutto and Gruyere Grilled Cheese by Hip Foodie Mom
- Berry Chocolate Panini Sandwich with Wine Reduction Sauce by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Brie, Ham, and Blackberry Grilled Cheese by Healthy. Delicious.
- Cafe Zinfandel Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese by In The Kitchen With KP
- Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Arugula Grilled Cheese by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- French Onion Grilled Cheese by Family Foodie
- Funky Monkey Grilled Cheese Sammie by The Messy Baker
- Greek Salad Grilled Cheese by Ruffles & Truffles
- Grilled Cheese & Bison Sandwiches by The Foodie Army Wife
- Grilled Goat Cheese w/ Tomatoes & Tarragon on Olive Bread by girlichef
- Grilled Mascarpone on Chocolate Cherry Bread with Blackberry Cabernet Compote by Desserts Required
- Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich by Magnolia Days
- Honey Glazed Peach and Pork Tenderloin Grilled Cheese by Melanie Makes
- Kentucky Hot Brown Grilled Cheese by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mediterranean Grilled Cheese by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese by The Dinner-Mom
- Mushroom Duxelles & Asparagus Grilled Cheese by Foxes Love Lemons
- Parmesan Crusted Baked Grilled Cheese by Alida's Kitchen
- Roast Beef Horseradish Arugula Grilled Cheese by Shockingly Delicious
- Roasted Red Pepper, Feta, and Olive Grilled Cheese by Neighborfood
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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Holy Grilled cheese sandwich!!! Oh my gawd, Renee!!! this looks soooo good. . and hello?! three different kinds of cheese???! Swoon! love this!
Yep, three cheeses and butter on the outside. And thanks Alice for making me smile with you comment.
I haven't had pimento cheese in years! Delicious idea, Renee!
Thanks Cindy and it's time you had some pimento cheese again. One should not go too long without it.
Wow! Look at all that ooey, gooey cheese oozing out. Perfect! On my to-do list!
Thanks Marjory and there are a lot of sandwiches on my to-do list with this event.
Wow! Just look at that cheese oozing from the sandwich! I love it and I'll have one please.
Thanks Susan and the cheese really does ooze out of the sandwich in such a wonderful way.
Mmm, I also had Grilled Pimento Cheese in Kentucky and it is amazing. Yours looks sooo good!
Thanks Brianne and after reading your post I'm ready to visit Kentucky and check out all the food (and sites too).
You win for gooiest, most enticing grilled cheese, Renee! Yours is one I could NOT resist!!!
Oh Liz you are so kind! Thanks a bunch.
All that cheese! I love it! What a beautiful sandwich!!
Thanks Jennifer and there certainly is a lot of cheese in that sandwich.
Look at all that cheese!! This looks absolutely incredible! And I bet the Pinot Noir would be delicious with this.
The Pinot Noir paired with it fabulously.
I can't peel my eyes away from the screen. So gooey! Pinned.
Thanks Jennie and you know I appreciate the pin very much.
You had me at Pimento, Renee! Fantastic creation! I have some in the fridge now, so guess what's coming up for lunch today! LOL
Thanks so much Karen
Heaven, I'm in heaven...! Seriously, this looks so ooey-gooey-beyond-amazing! I love a pimiento and leftover meatloaf grilled cheese, too! 🙂
Meatloaf grilled cheese - now that sounds wonderful and something I need to try the next time I make meatloaf.
I love sloppy grilled cheeses like this! If it's not oozing out the sides, there's not enough cheese, right? 🙂
Absolutely right Courtney!
I'm probably the state of Michigan's biggest pimento cheese! I guess I was born to live in the South or something. It is so good in all of it's forms, but now I must try a grilled cheese with it. I'm sure the Pinot Noir pairs perfectly!
Awesome you are such a fan of pimento cheese. I'll also eat it in many forms. I've had it deep fried (coated with bread crumbs and fried) which was gooey and delicious too.
Finger-licking awesome is right! One can classify pimento cheese as southern, northern or anything in between. I call it out of this world!
I totally agree with you Betsy about pimento cheese being out of this world. Thanks so much.
Look at all of that gooey cheese - heaven!
Oh yes, heaven indeed.
Wow, you took gooey grilled cheese to a totally new level with this. What a perfect choice of cheese!
It is seriously gooey and quite messy. I think it is both delicious and fun to eat.
I love pimento cheese! Pinning this to try them next week. Thanks.
Thanks Xiomara and nice to see another pimento cheese fan out there.
As soon as I read "hot & gooey," I fell in love. This is my kind of sandwich & your pictures had my mouthwatering. Wow!
Thanks Jen and I very much appreciate your compliment of my photography.
Pimento cheese, yummy. I 'll look for pimentos while I'm visiting my mom here in Germany.
I don't think they have jarred pimento peppers in Germany. I could not find any when I was there two years ago.
I don't think I've ever had pimento cheese. I'd love to find some!
You must make pimento cheese and not buy it. The stuff they sell in the store is not so good.
Don't think I've ever had Pimento cheese -- it's not really a California thing -- but I want yours, oh yes I do!
Oh you have to try pimento cheese. I'm sure you will enjoy it very much.
Simply fabulous!
It sure is Christine. Thanks so much.
This looks so good, it's almost evil!
Too funny Conni!
This has been haunting my dreams since Friday when we talked. 🙂
I grew up eating pimento cheese with club crackers at my Grandma's house. I never had it at home because we couldn't find the same brand (store-bought). To this day, when I eat it (usually homemade at my own house now), my memories take me right back to sitting at the table in the bay window of my grandma's kitchen.
It makes me smile when I read how my recipes and posts bring back wonderful family memories to others. Thanks so much for sharing yours Karli.
Love, love, love pimento cheese and, you know what, never thought of grilling it. What's wrong with me? Beautiful oozy, gooey wonderful sandwich, Renee!
Nothing is wrong with you Stacy. Sometimes we just miss an idea. Now you can grill it next time.
Believe it or not, this northern girl has never had pimento cheese. But, by the looks of that ooey gooey stuff spilling out of that beautiful bread, I've been missing out big time!
Well, you need to try pimento cheese soon. You will love it.
Confession - I'm a sucker for pimento cheese spread but never actually made it myself; just bought it from the local butcher shop. Now you convinced me to start making my own.
Glad you will make you own. You will see how much better it is and you can add spice or hot sauce to your taste preference.
Oohh Wee! I love a good homemade pimento cheese and grilled sounds so warm and comforting! And the wine? Heck yeah, could only make it better! 🙂
I had a feeling you would like this sandwich Kelli. And yes, the wine with it makes it awesome-r.
I've never made pimento cheese at home, but I totally should! This looks like the creamiest, gooiest option for a grilled cheese ever!
Oh Katie, once you make pimento cheese at home you will never go back to store-bought. It's so much better.