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Pimiento Cheese Panini

Pimiento Cheese Panini cut in half and stacked on a cutting board.

If you’ve never made pimiento cheese before, quite likely if you live outside of the South, it’s very simple and in its most basic form consists of only 3 ingredients: grated cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimientos. Normally a pimiento cheese sandwich is served with the pimiento cheese chilled between 2 slices of squishy white bread. In some parts of the South, this type of sandwich is eaten as often as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

But this sandwich is quite very unlike the sandwiches grandmama may have served to her bridge club.

A gooey, creamy, and sharp pimiento cheese paired with salty bacon pieces, all between two buttery, crisp slices of bread. It doesn’t get much better than a pimiento cheese panini.

During the cooler months, this sandwich pairs well with tomato soup. In the warmer months, a salad is a nice compliment.

Pimiento Cheese Panini sandwich on a white plate with a beer.

Use your favorite pimiento cheese, or this is a good, basic recipe for Pimiento Cheese. It’s easiest to make Pimiento Cheese Paninis in a Panini Grill. I have Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press and love it. Or you can just cook it the old-fashioned way in a skillet or on a griddle pan.

Cheese Panini Sandwich cut in half and stacked on a cutting board.

Pimiento Cheese Panini

  • 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 cup Pimiento Cheese
  • 4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 green onions, sliced, green parts only
  • 8 slices ciabatta or Italian bread
  • butter of cooking spray
  1. For each sandwich, spread a fairly thick layer of pimiento cheese on 1 slice of bread. Sprinkle with bacon and green onions and place a second piece of bread on top.
  2. Heat a panini grill or skillet on medium-high heat. Before placing sandwich in panini grill (or in pan) coat grill with a little butter or spray top and bottom of sandwich with cooking spray.
  3. Cook until cheese is melted and warm and bread is crisp. If using a pan, flip sandwich over after a few minutes. Serve warm.

Yield: 4 sandwiches

More Pimiento Cheese Recipes

Fried Pimiento Cheese Balls with Ranch Dipping Sauce

Southern Cobb Salad with Pimeinto Cheese Dressing

Pimiento Cheese Pinwheels

Disclaimer: Spicy Southern Kitchen is an amazon.com affiliate.

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8 thoughts on “Pimiento Cheese Panini”

  1. This looks so good. Might have to make it this weekend. Good to meet you this weekend at the photo class but I think that your pics look great already.

    1. Christin
      Christin Mahrlig

      Thanks Rebecca! It was so nice to meet you too. My pictures have come a long way in the last year, but I still feel like there’s so much to learn. Especially when it comes to styling. I usually have to pour myself a glass of wine first because it gives me so much anxiety!

  2. Em @ Persnickety Pineapple

    Definitely a step up from the classic grilled cheese 🙂 I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never really heard of pimiento cheese! I love learning about new foods, especially ones that are so common in other parts of the world. It sounds delicious and it will definitely add a new flavour to my next panini!

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