Ultimate Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach: A Southern Comfort Classic

Elevate your dining experience with this sensational Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach recipe. This dish takes the beloved, indulgent creamed spinach and infuses it with the irresistible, tangy kick of Southern pimento cheese. The result is a side dish that’s incredibly creamy, rich, and bursting with sharp cheddar flavor, beautifully dotted with vibrant red pimentos. It’s an unforgettable addition to any meal, especially perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions.

Spoon scooping creamy Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach out of a rustic baking dish, showcasing its rich texture and flecks of red pimento. — A generous serving of Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach, ready to be enjoyed.

Why This Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach Will Be Your New Favorite

Prepare to fall in love with this creamy, dreamy side dish. Unlike traditional creamed spinach, our Pimento Cheese version introduces a delightful depth of flavor and a unique Southern charm that sets it apart. Here’s what makes it truly special:

Unmatched Cheesiness: We pack this recipe with a full 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ensuring every bite is intensely cheesy and satisfying.
Luxuriously Creamy Texture: The perfect blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise creates an unbelievably smooth and rich base that coats the spinach beautifully.
Distinct Southern Flavor: The star ingredient, diced pimentos, adds a subtle sweetness and a signature Southern flavor profile, along with gorgeous red specks that make the dish visually appealing.
Crispy Panko Topping: A buttery, golden panko crumb topping provides a delightful textural contrast, adding a satisfying crunch to the soft, creamy spinach underneath.
Versatile for Any Occasion: While it shines as a holiday centerpiece (think Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter), it’s equally fantastic for a Sunday roast, a special weeknight dinner, or even as a decadent party dip served with tortilla or Frito chips.

This dish isn’t just a side; it’s a culinary experience. Its robust flavor pairs fantastically with robust main courses like prime rib, roasted chicken, or succulent pork loin.

Close-up of a spoon lifting a rich, cheesy serving of Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach, highlighting its vibrant green and red hues. — Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Southern-inspired side.

Essential Ingredient Spotlight: Frozen Chopped Spinach

For this recipe, we opt for convenience without sacrificing quality by using frozen chopped spinach. You’ll need 3 (10-ounce) packages of frozen chopped spinach. The key to a successful, non-watery creamed spinach lies in proper thawing and, more importantly, thorough draining.

How to Properly Thaw and Drain Spinach

Thawing in the Refrigerator: The easiest and most recommended method is to transfer the frozen spinach packages to the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to cook. Place them in a bowl or on a plate, as water will naturally leak out as the spinach thaws.
Quick Thawing (Microwave): If you’re short on time, you can quickly thaw the spinach in the microwave using the defrost setting. Be careful not to cook it.
The Crucial Draining Step: Spinach contains a significant amount of water. To prevent your creamed spinach from becoming runny or watery, it is absolutely essential to squeeze out as much liquid as possible after thawing. Wrap the thawed spinach in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly until no more water comes out. This step makes a huge difference in the final texture and richness of your dish.

Unlocking the Magic of Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is often called “the caviar of the South” for good reason. This uniquely Southern staple is a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy spread made primarily from cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. When incorporated into a classic dish like creamed spinach, it adds an incredible layer of flavor and a vibrant pop of color. The pimentos provide a delicate, sweet-peppery note that beautifully complements the earthy spinach and sharp cheddar, transforming a simple side into something truly extraordinary.

A golden-brown baking dish filled with Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach, topped with a crispy panko crust, ready to serve. — This rich and flavorful side dish is perfect for sharing.

Expert Tips for Making the Best Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach

Achieving restaurant-quality creamed spinach at home is easier than you think with these helpful tips:

Thorough Draining is Key: As mentioned, don’t skimp on squeezing the liquid from the thawed spinach. Excess water will dilute the creamy sauce and result in a less desirable texture.
Soften Your Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is softened at room temperature before mixing. This will help it melt smoothly into the sauce, preventing lumps.
Quality Cheese Matters: Use good quality sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
Don’t Overcook the Onions: Cook the onions until they are translucent and slightly softened, but not browned. This sweetens them without overpowering the dish.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before baking, always taste the mixture and adjust salt, pepper, and cayenne to your preference. Some prefer a little more kick, others less.
Buttery Panko Topping: The panko topping adds a wonderful crunch. Ensure the butter is thoroughly mixed with the panko crumbs and the reserved cheddar for a golden, crispy crust.
Serve Warm: Creamed spinach is best served warm, straight from the oven, when its creamy texture is at its peak.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

While Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach is a star on its own, here are some ideas to make it even better or incorporate it into different meals:

Classic Pairing: It’s a natural fit for roasted meats like beef tenderloin, prime rib, grilled steaks, or pot roast.
Holiday Feast: A must-have alongside your Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham, or Easter lamb.
Poultry Perfection: Serve it with roasted chicken, baked chicken breasts, or even crispy duck.
Savory Dip: Transform leftovers or a fresh batch into a warm, gooey dip for crackers, pita bread, or raw vegetables.
Add a Protein: Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham for an extra layer of savory flavor.
Spice It Up: If you love heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the mixture.
Different Cheeses: Experiment with a blend of cheeses! Monterey Jack, Gouda, or a smoky cheddar could also work well.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead: You can prepare the creamed spinach mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, transfer to the prepared baking dish, add the panko topping, and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of milk or cream to restore its creamy consistency.
Freezing: While possible, the texture of creamed spinach can sometimes change slightly after freezing and thawing, becoming a bit grainier. If you choose to freeze, store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?: Yes, you can! You’ll need about 3 pounds of fresh spinach, which will cook down significantly. Wash it thoroughly, steam or sauté until wilted, then cool and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding it to the recipe.
What kind of pimentos should I use?: Look for canned diced pimentos, usually found in the pickle or olive aisle of your grocery store. Make sure to drain them well before adding to the mixture.
Can I make this recipe lighter?: You can try using low-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and milk, but keep in mind this might alter the richness and texture of the dish. For best results, we recommend sticking to the full-fat ingredients.
My creamed spinach is too thin/thick. What can I do?: If it’s too thin, it likely means the spinach wasn’t drained enough. You can try baking it a bit longer to reduce some moisture, or stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold milk (a slurry) before baking. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.

More Pimento Cheese Recipes to Explore

If you love the distinctive flavor of pimento cheese, here are more recipes from our kitchen that you absolutely must try:

Pimento Cheese Squash Casserole
Pimento Cheese Grits
Pimento Cheese Rice
Pimento Cheese Potato Gratin
Southern Pimento Cheese Burger
Buffalo Pimento Cheese
Baked Pimento Cheese Dip

Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach Recipe

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars based on 2 votes.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 8

Spoon scooping Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach. — Our Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach, a true crowd-pleaser.

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Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach is a delicious southern twist on creamed spinach. It’s creamy and rich like a traditional creamed spinach, but with lots of cheddar cheese flavor plus the wonderful red specks of color from the diced pimentos.

Ingredients

3 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 medium sweet or yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup whole milk
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimentos, thoroughly drained
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2 1/2-quart baking dish.
Ensure the thawed spinach is squeezed absolutely dry. Wrap it in several layers of paper towels or a clean dish towel and press firmly to extract all excess liquid. This step is crucial for a thick, creamy result.
In a large saucepan or skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the softened cream cheese to the pan. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted and incorporated into the onion mixture, creating a smooth base.
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the thoroughly drained spinach, milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and the drained diced pimentos. Mix everything well until thoroughly combined.
Gently fold in the lightly beaten egg. Then, add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese (reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for the topping). Stir until the cheese is just melted into the mixture.
Season the spinach mixture with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed to suit your preference.
Transfer the creamy spinach mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
In a separate small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, Panko breadcrumbs, and the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the panko is evenly coated.
Sprinkle this buttery panko-cheddar topping evenly over the top of the spinach casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the creamed spinach is bubbly around the edges.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set slightly and makes serving easier.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 415 kcal per serving (approximation)

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.

We hope you love this incredible Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach! Did you make this recipe? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on social media. Your feedback and photos brighten our day!

Recipe adapted from: Southern Living

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