This Southern Pimento Cheese Cornbread has just four simple ingredients and takes only 30 minutes to make. Itβs a moist and cheesy cornbread that uses a box mix baked in a cast iron for a buttery golden brown crust.
This Southern style cornbread is always requested with any soup or chili at our house. It uses a box of cornbread mix with either store-bought or homemade pimento cheese.
Assembly is easy for this cheesy cornbread, the batter is mixed in one bowl and baked in a cast iron skillet for the perfect golden brown crust. It's the perfect side dish recipe for anyone who's a beginner at cooking.
I love also serving this with a loaded vegetable soup or chicken enchilada soup. I can guarantee this recipe will be a hit every time you make it! It has a buttery, crunchy crust, a cheesy, dense, moist texture and is the perfect balance of savory and sweet!
Table of Contents
Why Youβll like this Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Only 4 basic ingredients!
- Easy and Quick to Make: It take less than 5 minutes to mix-up and pop in the oven!
- Perfect Soup Pairing: Itβs the perfect bowl of soup or chili pairing!
- Buttery Flavor & Moist Texture: The buttery crust and perfect balance of savory and sweet will keep you coming back for more!
Ingredients for Cheesy Cornbread
Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card.
- Honey Jiffy Cornbread Mix: A pre-mix sweet cornmeal, flour blend that provides structure and stability. It also yields it crumbly and slightly gritty texture.
- Creamy Pimento Cheese: Adds moisture, richness, creaminess, and a tangy flavor to the cornbread.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, helping to hold the cornbread together. It also provides moisture and richness to the dish.
- Butter: Helps yield a golden brown, crunchy, rich crust. Also delicious spread on top of a warm slice.
- Honey, optional: An optional add on that adds extra sweetness, flavor, and moisture.
Tools You'll Need
Using a Cast Iron Skillet for Cornbread
Cast iron is often considered the best choice for making cornbread for several reasons. First, it distributes heat evenly, ensuring that the cornbread bakes uniformly. This even heating also helps prevent hot spots that can lead to unevenly cooked or burnt areas in the cornbread.
Also, cast iron skillets can be used both on the stovetop and in the oven. When you preheat the cast-iron skillet in the oven or on the stovetop, it creates a hot surface for the cornbread batter to be poured onto. This initial burst of heat helps create a golden crust on the bottom and sides of the cornbread.
Over time, a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet can develop a patina, which is a natural, non-stick coating that enhances the flavor of foods cooked in it, including cornbread.
How to Make Pimento Cheese Cornbread
- In a medium bowl, combine the cornbread mix, pimento cheese and the egg. The mixture will be dry at first, but will moisten as you mix and fold.
- Heat butter in a cast iron skillet in the oven while itβs preheating to 400Β°F. Carefully remove from the oven, and dollop the batter around the skillet and spread evenly.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve as is or with extra butter and honey.
Tips and Variations
- Make Homemade Cornbread Mix. If you prefer to make a Honey Jiffy cornbread mix from scratch, here is an easy substitute. Combine in a bowl:
- β cup all-purpose flour, Β½ cup medium grind yellow cornmeal, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ΒΌ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon honey
- Types of Pimento Cheese. Creamy pimento cheese is essential for this cornbread! My favorite store-bought brand to use is Palmetto Pimento Cheese. You can also use a homemade version if you prefer.
- Make it Spicy. Add extra spice by adding 1 finely diced jalapeΓ±o.
- Another sweet cornbread that has a unique flavor is Honey Buttermilk Cornbread. It incorporates graham cracker crumbs and honey and is incredibly delicious with butter and topped with maple syrup.
What to Serve with Southern Cornbread
The easier question to answer might be "what does southern cornbread not go with?" as it can go with nearly anything! Besides the obvious chili and soup accompaniments, this cornbread also pairs perfectly with barbecued meats like Crockpot brisket, Smoked brisket, or pulled pork. It's also excellent with fried chicken, greens, mac and cheese, and fried fish! We also love it in a glass with milk or buttermilk poured on top!
Storage and Freezing
Store leftovers in an air-tight container at room-temperature for 3 to 4 days or up to a week in the refrigerator.
Leftovers can also be frozen. Place in an air-tight, freezer safe container or wrap in plastic and freeze up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can also bake this in a glass, metal or stone 8βx8β, 9βx9β and/or 1.5-2 quart baking dish. Adjust the cook time accordingly. Smaller baking dishes might require a couple extra minutes
Of course! You can also add chopped jalapeΓ±o to the batter.
You can add 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise to your batter.
No. The Jiffy Mix used is not gluten-free. Krusteaz makes a 15oz gluten free version. You can either double the pimento cheese and add an extra egg to this mix or reduce the mixture to 8.5oz like this recipe calls for.
More Cornbread Recipes
Pimento Cheese Cornbread
Equipment
- 1 (9-inch) cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 8.5 ounce box Honey Jiffy Cornbread mix
- 10 ounces creamy pimento cheese regular or spicy
- 1 large egg
- Β½ tablespoon unsalted butter more for serving
- Honey for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400Β°F.Β
- In a medium bowl, combine cornbread mix, pimento cheese and the egg. The mixture will be dry at first, but will moisten as you mix and fold.Β
- Heat butter in a cast iron skillet in the oven while itβs preheating. Once melted, remove from the oven, dollop the batter around the skillet and spread evenly.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve slices with butter and honey.
Video
Notes
- If you prefer to make a Honey Jiffy cornbread mix from scratch, here is an easy substitute. Combine in a bowl:
- β Β cupΒ all-purpose flour, Β½Β cupΒ medium grind yellow cornmeal, 3Β tablespoonsΒ granulated sugar, 1 tablespoonΒ baking powder, ΒΌΒ teaspoonΒ salt, 1 tablespoon honey
- Creamy pimento cheese is essential for this cornbread! My favorite store-bought brand to use is Palmetto Pimento Cheese. You can also use a homemade version if you prefer.
- Add extra spice by adding 1 finely diced jalapeΓ±o.
Teresa Hiller
Would this be good with a fish dinner?
Laura Ashley
Definitely! I can't think of a meal it wouldn't be delicious with! π
Kim
Goodness!!! This looks good. Can't wait to try it. You have the best recipes. We have loved everything that I've made so far. π
Laura Ashley
That just made my heart so happy, Kim! Thank you so much! I hope you love making them too!! π
Phyllis Williams
We absolutely loved this cornbread!!!!!appreciate a simple receipe thatβs quick and delicious!! Thank you
Laura Ashley
You're very welcome! That makes my heart so happy! I'm so happy you liked it too!!