Yellow summer squash stuffed with creamy pimento cheese and topped with bread crumbs and parsley is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy summer squash.
This dish works as either a side dish or a vegetarian summer meal. Not a fan of summer squash? Use zucchini instead.
If you’re from the south, you no doubt grew up eating pimento cheese lathered between 2 squishy pieces of white bread. If you’re not from the south, you may not be very familiar with pimento cheese. Also known as “The Pate of the South”, it is made from shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. There are many ways to enjoy it: as a spread on crackers, in an omelet, on a burger, on a pizza, or even made into Fried Pimento Cheese Balls.
There are many slight variations on Pimento Cheese and practically every southern family has a recipe for it stashed away in a kitchen drawer, handed down through the family. Most likely the best Pimento Cheese is the one you grew up eating.
When I make pimento cheese to use it for something like stuffed squash, I go heavier on the cheese and lighter on the mayo than I would if I was making it for sandwiches.
During the summer months it seems like summer squash and zucchini are taking over the world. They are everywhere. So I like to try as many ways of cooking them as possible, like these Lasagna Zucchini Boats which can also be made with squash.
Pimento Cheese Stuffed Squash is a really simple dish to make. The pimento cheese can be made a day or two in advance and the squash can also be steamed ahead of time. Then all that is left to do is scrape out the seeds and pulp, spoon pimento cheese into the cavity, top with panko crumbs and bake until warm and bubbly. Turn the broiler on for a minute or 2 to give some color to the panko crumbs and you’re ready to grab a fork and dig in!
Pimento Cheese Stuffed Squash
Ingredients
- 4 medium yellow squash or zucchini
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 1 (2-ounce) jar diced pimentos, drained well
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup panko crumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cut squash in half horizontally. Place squash in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 6 to 8 minutes (until tender but not soft). Let cool and then scoop out seeds and pulp using a spoon. Discard seeds.
- Make pimento cheese. (Can be done in advance.) In a medium bowl, combine cheese, mayonnaise, onion, pimentos, and cayenne pepper. Stir to mix well.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place squash, cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle cut sides of squash with salt and pepper.
- Fill each squash cavity with pimento cheese.
- In a small bowl, stir together panko crumbs, melted butter, and parsley.
- Sprinkle panko crumb mixture on top of squash.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cheese is warm and melted.
- Broil for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly brown the panko crumbs.
Notes
Nutrition
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Oh, I like the idea of adding the pimento cheese filling. It is a definite grade.
This looks delicious! I would definitively try your recipe.
So beautiful:)
The summer squash looks so cheesy and delicious.. love that pimento cheese and breadcrumb toppings.. perfect side dish! !
What a great idea to add a little spice with the cayenne pepper to the cheese topping! We have been away most of July in Europe, but are back now and ready to get back in to the kitchen. Cheers!
Okay I am in love. Seriously, I have to make this ASAP! This is basically the perfect meal!
This sounds like the perfect way to give mild squash some real bite!
Pimiento cheese is my JAM (or I guess my spread lol) and I can only imagine how absolutely mouthwatering it is when it’s stuffed into squash! I always have so much squash in the apartment, I’ll have to give this a try this summer for sure. 😀
Thanks for a completely new summer veggie recipe! Through the years, I’ve stuffed zucchini with a lot of ingridients but never pimento cheese! And it’s always in my fridge. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is so cool Christin! My husband is always ordering different dishes with pimento cheese whenever we go out … I think it’s time I make him something at home!
Oh man, loving this! What a great way to be using summer squash 🙂
I am trying these tonight, I have some squash I need to make and this is perfect.
This looks sssooo good Christin! I could seriously have it for breakfast. And the colors are gorgeous too!
Oooh, breakfast. Now there’s an idea. And I have some leftovers. Hope you have a wonderful day Kristi!
Oh my gosh…Now I know exactly what I’m gonna do with the rest of my summer squash. All that pimento-cheesy goodness is calling my name! Love all those breadcrumbs on top! 🙂
What a creative recipe, Christin! I’m not a huge fan of squash, but I would definitely try your version out. With all of those delicious flavors, what’s not to like? 🙂
This looks amazing Christin! The pimento cheese and panko stuffing sounds amazing! Such a great way to dress up summer squash 🙂
I love pimento cheese! I love how creative this recipe is with the squash, pimento, and breadcrumbs. Such a fun twist, pinning this one!
What a great side dish idea! Such pretty colors, too 🙂
Genius idea, Christin! I now know what to do with all of my fresh garden squash. How can you go wrong when it is stuffed with pimento cheese?!
I love this cheesy stuffed squash, Christin! This is a great way to change up the delicious squash out there right now. 🙂
Love the look of these and love that you’ve added a little touch of breadcrumbs. They look super tasty! 🙂