• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Living Well Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizer & Snacks
      • Snacks
    • Main Dish
      • Vegetarian
      • Seafood
      • Meat
      • Poultry
      • Pork
    • Specific Recipes
      • Vegetarian
        • Vegan
      • Kid Friendly
      • Gluten Free
      • Dairy Free
      • Nut Free
      • Egg Free
      • Soy Free
    • Sides
      • Vegetables
      • Beans
      • Grains
      • Potatoes
      • Bread
      • Sauce
    • Salad
    • Soup
    • Drinks
    • Dessert
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot
    • Season
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
  • About
    • Meet Meme
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Videos
  • Easy Meals
  • Quiz
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Favorites
  • Easy Meals
  • Main Dish
  • Health
  • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Favorites
    • Easy Meals
    • Main Dish
    • Health
    • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

    Published: Aug 20, 2023 · Updated: Aug 20, 2023 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Jalapeño Pimento Cheese is high in protein with no mayo or yogurt. Spicy pimento cheese recipe made with jalapenos and cottage cheese.

    yellow bell pepper in a bowl of pimento cheese spread with sliced veggies on a plate.
    • About Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
      • Ingredients
        • Pimento Cheese Price
    • How to Make Pimento Cheese
    • Recipe Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • Flavor Substitutions
        • Alternative Prep & Cooking
        • How to Make Allergy-Friendly
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make-Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Nutrition Benefits
      • What to Serve with Pimento Cheese

    About Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

    Pimento cheese is a cheesy spread or dip that's made with pimentos (or pimientos) and shredded cheese.

    Typically, mayo holds the mixture together. However, cottage cheese binds together this no mayo pimento cheese.

    It takes an extra step of blending the cottage cheese with onion and a little liquid, but it's worth it to get a creamy and flavorful sauce.

    Plus, it boosts the protein in this spicy jalapeno pimento cheese.

    white counter with jalapeno, block of cheddar, jar of pimientos, container of cottage cheese, bottle of cayenne pepper, and a yellow onion.

    Ingredients

    Cheese: Cheddar is typically used for pimento cheese. Monterey Jack, Pepperjack, Colby, and mozzarella (from a block, not from the fresh ball of mozzarella) are alternative options.

    Cottage Cheese: Blended cottage cheese binds the jalapeno pimento cheese recipe together. It is used in place of mayo typically used for pimento cheese.

    Liquid: To help thin the sauce just a little bit, you'll add liquid. You can use water, milk, or the liquid in the pimento jar. That being said, be sure to drain the pimentos well so the pimento cheese isn't runny.

    Jalapeño: For a spicy pimento cheese, add jalapeno. Any spicy pepper will also work well.

    Onion: A little bit of grated or diced onion is added to give it flavor. It's important to measure the onion because too much will overpower the other flavors. Because you add the onion to the food processor, you'll be able to blend it into the sauce to prevent big onion chunks in your pimento cheese spread.

    Cayenne Pepper: If the jalapeno isn't very spicy, you can add a little cayenne pepper for more heat. However, it's optional.

    Pimentos: Diced or sliced pimentos can be used for this healthy pimento cheese. You can find them in the canned veggie aisle of the store, near the jarred olives.

    Pimento Cheese Price

    • Cheese 16 ounces: $3.98
    • Cottage cheese 6 ounces: $0.65
    • Jalapeno 1 medium: $0.14
    • Onion 3 tablespoons: $0.12
    • Cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon: $0.01
    • Pimentos 4-ounce jar: $1.78

    TOTAL COST: $6.68 or $0.42/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2023)

    Note that this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

    six photo collage with a bowl of shredded cheese, a mini food processor with cottage cheese and onion, a sauce in a mini food processor, sauce covering shredded cheese and jalapenos in a bowl, pimento cheese stirred together, and a bowl of pimento cheese on a plate with sliced veggies.

    How to Make Pimento Cheese

    Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes

    Using cottage cheese as a binder, you can easily make this delicious, high protein, no mayo pimento cheese with jalapenos.

    1. Grate cheese into a bowl.

      Set aside.

    2. Add cottage cheese, liquid, and diced onion to a mini food processor.

    3. Blend together.

    4. Pour sauce over the cheese, diced jalapenos, and diced pimentos.

    5. Stir it all together.

      Refrigerate for at least an hour.

    6. Enjoy!

      close up of a white bowl with jalapeno pimento cheese.

    Recipe Tips

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Cheese: In place of cheddar, use Monterey Jack, Pepperjack, Colby, or mozzarella (in a block, not fresh form).

    Flavor Substitutions

    To decrease spiciness: Use less jalapenos or omit them. Also, skip the additional cayenne pepper.

    Alternative Prep & Cooking

    If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can mash the cottage cheese with a fork and mince the onion. Then stir everything together.

    The texture might be a little chunkier, but it will still be tasty.

    How to Make Allergy-Friendly

    This pimento cheese with jalapeno recipe is naturally gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, and nut-free.

    Pimento cheese usually has mayo so it is not egg-free. But thanks to the cottage cheese, this no mayo pimento cheese recipe is egg-free.

    It obviously has a lot of dairy, but if you can find a good dairy-free alternative for cottage cheese and shredded cheese, you can try it. However, I have not found any suitable options to recommend.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    Too runny: Add a little extra cottage cheese to the sauce, and blend. This should thicken it. However, if you have already stirred together everything, you can add some more grated cheese or blot it dry with a towel.

    Too thick: Add a splash of water and stir well.

    Make-Ahead Ideas

    Jalapeño Pimento Cheese is best made ahead of time, so the jalapeno and onion flavors have time to infuse the cheese.

    Storage Suggestions

    Store in glass or plastic air-tight containers in the fridge for up to 7-10 days.

    Freezing pimento cheese is not recommended as the texture will change undesirably when it defrosts.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Pimento Cheese?

    Pimento cheese is a creamy, versatile, and flavorful dip or spread. This beloved appetizer or snack can be enjoyed so many ways, and it's easy to prepare.

    Is pimento cheese healthy?

    Depending on how you define healthy, this pimento cheese can be a nutritious option. Most pimento cheese is made with mayo. Yet, this no-mayo pimento cheese is made using cottage cheese to increase the protein.

    Can you freeze pimento cheese?

    Freezing pimento cheese is not recommended. The cheese does not freeze well and the texture will change undesirably once defrosted.
    However, you can freeze it to add to something later like a casserole.

    Nutrition Benefits

    What to Serve with Pimento Cheese

    Final thoughts:

    MORE PIMENTO CHEESE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Pimento Cheese Cucumber Bites
    • Loaded Pimento Cheese
    • Pimento Cheese Boats
    • Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich
    • Pimento Cheese Chicken Salad
    close up of a white bowl with jalapeno pimento cheese.

    Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

    Jalapeno Pimento Cheese is high in protein with no mayo or yogurt. Spicy pimento cheese recipe made with jalapenos and cottage cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $6.68 or $0.42/serving

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounce cheddar cheese shredded
    • ¾ cup cottage cheese
    • 1 tablespoon water
    • 1 medium jalapeño minced
    • 3 tablespoons onion grated
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
    • 4 ounce jar diced pimentos drained

    Instructions

    • Grate the cheese into a large bowl.
    • Meanwhile, blend cottage cheese, onion, and liquid in a food processor or blender until smooth.
    • Stir blended cottage cheese into grated cheese. Stir in jalapeño, pimentos, and cayenne pepper, if using.
    • Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or overnight.
    • Enjoy with sliced veggies or crackers. Keeps in the refrigerator for about 5-7 days.

    Notes

    *Makes 4 cups
    *For the liquid, you can use milk, water, or liquid from pimentos.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    red, orange, and green mixing bowls
    Bowl
    Mini Food Processor
    red spoon
    Spoon
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Meme

    This post was originally published on September 4, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.


    Pimento Cheese Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Jalapeño Pimento Cheese
    Serving Size
     
    0.25 cup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    126
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    38
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    29
    mg
    10
    %
    Sodium
     
    230
    mg
    10
    %
    Potassium
     
    50
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    2
    g
    1
    %
    Fiber
     
    0.2
    g
    1
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    8
    g
    16
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    491
    IU
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    9
    mg
    11
    %
    Calcium
     
    208
    mg
    21
    %
    Iron
     
    0.2
    mg
    1
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Carbs in Pimento Cheese

    There are 2 grams of carbohydrates in this Jalapeno Pimento Cheese recipe.

    Pimento Cheese Calories

    In ¼ cup of No Mayo Pimento Cheese, there are 126 calories.

    More Appetizers

    • blue baking dish with hot blue cheese dip with bacon and walnuts surrounded by a towel and crackers.
      Blue Cheese Bacon Dip
    • baked zucchini slices topped with pizza sauce and cheese on a parchment lined baking sheet.
      Zucchini Pizza Bites
    • white bowl with tomato salsa next to fresh cilantro, garlic, onion, and lemon on a wooden table.
      Low Sodium Salsa
    • white bowl of mango salsa black beans on a white counter.
      Mango Black Bean Salsa
    266 shares
    • Yummly
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. betty hope says

      September 13, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Do you also add gluten free recipes? I just found out about you.
      betty hope

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        September 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

        I'm so glad you found my blog!!
        I do have a lot of gluten-free recipes; you can find them here: Gluten-free recipes
        Let me know if you need help finding anything else

        Reply
    2. Michelle says

      September 13, 2012 at 11:12 am

      Wow, this looks super yummy! I haven't ever made Pimento Cheese but I will now. Thanks for sharing 🙂
      Michelle

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        September 13, 2012 at 10:16 pm

        Thanks! This was my first time to make pimento cheese, and I will definitely be making it again soon

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
    Read More

    Let's Connect

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular

    silver fork on a white plate with green beans and pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes covered in gravy.

    Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin

    jar of chocolate sauce with a spoon in it. empty small glass ice cream cups with a bowl of cherries on a wicker table

    Easy Chocolate Sauce

    Slow Cooker with French Toast Casserole syrup and blueberries

    Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

    chicken salad and a ritz cracker in a glass bowl on white table with green napkin

    No Mayo Chicken Salad

    bowl of turkey white bean chili topped with fresh avocado next fresh avocado and cilantro.

    White Bean Turkey Chili

    white plate with cream cheese stuffed peppers surrounded by baby bell peppers, walnuts, jalapeno, and a napkin

    Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers

    close up of a bowl of lamb curry over rice sprinkled with mint and coconut flakes.

    Instant Pot Lamb Curry

    cream colored plate with veggie egg muffins on blue table with sliced oranges and a white napkin

    Spinach Egg Muffins

    Intuitive Eating

    brunette female holding a heart shaped pizza in a Parisian cafe

    Why Emotional Eating Isn't Bad

    hand holding an apple in front of apple trees

    Should I Eat Conventional or Organic Produce?

    havanese dog standing on arm of cream chair with a quilt in chair

    Intuitive Eating and Weight Loss

    brunette female sitting in a blanket in Versaille garden smiling and holding a container of container of food she is about to be eating

    What is Intuitive Eating

    Easy Meals

    Ranch Burgers from Living Well Kitchen

    Ranch Burgers

    Tuna Cucumber Avocado Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    Tuna Cucumber Avocado Salad

    Mexican Fried Quinoa from Living Well Kitchen

    Mexican Fried Quinoa

    close up of a cut avocado BLT

    Avocado BLT

    Salad

    bag of lentils, fresh tomatoes, and a clear bowl with lentils, mozzarella, walnuts, tomatoes, and basil on a straw mat.

    Caprese Lentil Tomato Salad

    glass bowl of roasted vegetable lentil salad next to fresh rosemary, lemon, and scattered green lentils.

    Roasted Vegetable Lentil Salad

    white bowl with avocado egg salad.

    Avocado Egg Salad

    white countertop with clear bowl of miso dressing with a silver spoon next to a container of miso paste and a microplane with fresh ginger

    Miso Dressing

    As Seen On:

    As Seen On

    In Season

    blue baking dish with hot blue cheese dip with bacon and walnuts surrounded by a towel and crackers.

    Blue Cheese Bacon Dip

    baked zucchini slices topped with pizza sauce and cheese on a parchment lined baking sheet.

    Zucchini Pizza Bites

    white bowl with tomato salsa next to fresh cilantro, garlic, onion, and lemon on a wooden table.

    Low Sodium Salsa

    white bowl of mango salsa black beans on a white counter.

    Mango Black Bean Salsa

    Footer

    Living Well Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Videos
    • Easy Meals
    • Quiz

    Copyright © 2023

    We use cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    266 shares