Warm and creamy, a great dipping option for hosting friends at home. Baked Goat Cheese Dip in Marinara Sauce is sure to be a winner; make a double batch!
Since I seem to fixate so easily on things – yes, even food! – I’m bringing you this goat cheese recipe. I’m completely in awe of the awesomeness, ease, and adaptability of goat cheese. At the time of this blog post, goat cheese is relatively new to me, to be honest. I’ve tried it before, but never really appreciated the simplicity of it until lately.
I’ve been making Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini every chance I get. Is it terrible that I can eat those babies for a snack or make an entire meal out of them? I’ve also been serving it with simple pesto sauces as an appetizer. It’s so delicious with my Roasted Red Pepper Walnut Pesto! So good!
Ah, and how can I forget? In all of it’s glory – my Pistachio Goat Cheese Appetizer is so simple, so rustic, yet deliciously and insanely additive! It’s almost as addictive as this Baked Goat Cheese Dip in Marinara Sauce. I really do think, that of all those recipes, this one is my favourite. But, to be completely open and honest, Dear Reader, I’ve just eaten it right out of the package spread really thick on a cracker!
The first time I made this dish, I really didn’t think I was going to be able to finish taking the pictures for this post before digging right in and devouring the entire thing! The only thing that saved me from doing so, was the fact that the dip was piping hot.
Usually, I’ll let baked foods cool for a bit before taking pictures, but this time, I was trying to capture the bubbles in the sauce and the steam. I wasn’t successful with the steam, but look at the charred, bubbly edge of that dish – yum! (I don’t even care that it took me a few hours of pan-soaking to get rid of it. It was so worth the effort!)
Now, this is certainly a recipe that you want to keep close at hand. It takes literally 30 minutes from start to finish and uses as little as three ingredients. Yes, three!! Your guests will think you spent quite a bit of time preparing this dip, when in fact, you were out getting your nails done or perusing the tool aisle at Home Depot – you decide which you want to do; no judging here!
I opted for some add-ins, obviously. Even though you can stick to a nice, firm goat cheese, and some really good marinara sauce for this recipe, you can add in a few things to make it your own. If you want to keep it simple, for the love of all that holy and right with the world, use the absolute best marinara sauce you can find and afford. When using three ingredients, it’s not the time to use cheaper, lesser quality ingredients.
Now, with that said, if there’s a cheaper marinara sauce or goat cheese that you already like and are used to, then go ahead and use that one. In the photos you see here, I used Costco’s Kirkland brand goat cheese. It’s very inexpensive, but also very, very delicious.
When it comes to marinara sauce, unless you’re Italian nonna makes her own jarred sauce, and shares it with you, then make sure you get a good one. I usually make my own, and I’ll get around to posting a recipe soon, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly marinara sauce that will work really well, try the Prego Farmers’ Market Classic Marinara. It’s really good and I’ve used it before.
That’s really all you need. But, to make it fancier and tastier, I like to add in some fresh basil, some oregano, maybe some black pepper and dried red chili flakes. I also like to sprinkle the top with some freshly grated parmesan before bringing the dish to the table. And, of course, some fresh chopped parsley is always great too! From time to time, depending on how I feel, I also like to drizzle the top with a little olive oil as soon as it comes out of the oven. All of these things are completely up to you, but will add depth to your dip.
And, lastly, whatever you do, serve this Baked Goat Cheese Dip in Marinara Sauce with some really good crusty bread. Trust me, Dear Reader, this dip is not meant for crackers. Carb it up and go big. And if you really want to impress, lightly brush sliced baguette with olive oil and place under the broiler until golden brown, or in a grill pan for a few minutes on each side, so that you can get these lovely grill marks like you see in the photos.
Now, enjoy, eat and be merry and all that other jazz!
In a hurry? Save this recipe to your Pinterest board for later!
Click HERE!
Baked Goat Cheese Dip in Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 300 grams goat cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon dried red chili flakes, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove the goat cheese from the package and lay the log in the center of your baking dish. Using the tips of your fingers, press the cheese slightly so that it spreads about an inch thick. Do not allow the cheese to touch the edge of the pan. Keep at least an inch of free space all the way around.
- Spoon the marinara into the "trench" around the goat cheese. Be careful to place the sauce all the way around and as evenly as possible.
- Sprinkle the top with salt.
- This is also where you could add the dried oregano, dried red chili flakes, and ground black pepper if you decide to do so.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes - just until the sauce around the cheese begins to bubble.
- Once you remove the dip from the oven, top with a little fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Are you making this recipe? Show me your version! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook!
@lordbyronskitchen | #lordbyronskitchen
All access to Lord Byron’s Kitchen! Never miss another recipe! Follow me on social media:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST
Jennifer A Stewart says
Delicious and the perfect dip for a a tailgate party! I love a warm dip and anything with marinara on it is a bonus!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I couldn’t agree with you more, Jennifer. 🙂 Thank you!
WhitBit's Indian Kitchen says
I lurve me some goat cheese. I bet this would even taste delicious spread all over flat bread.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thanks, Whitney – you’ll see just how much we love it when you are privy to me copying your pistachio goat cheese app. 🙂
Brian Jones says
I’m right with you on goats cheese, I don’t care how it comes I just love it and it is one of the few cheeses the Hungarians do right too so I can get it fairly easily… Love the sound of this soooooo much!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
It’s wonderful – I love it, because it’s cheap and I can do almost anything with it.
Paige @ Where Latin Meets Lagniappe says
I’ve just recently begun to really like goat cheese! Totally trying this recipe and the one that you mention with honey too! Cheese and marinara are such a tasty combo 🙂
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thanks, Paige. I got the honey and pistachio idea from Whitbit’s Kitchen. I made my own version of it and it’s delicious!
Hillary Reeves says
I can get my nails done while (not) making snacks for guests!? That’s my kind of entertaining.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hahaha – yes!
goodiegodmother says
I feel the baguette is optional as a spoon would also work quite well, especially when not sharing. 😉 I love goat cheese, and often put a bit on a plate and eat it with a demitasse spoon when I do have it in the house. The other half doesn’t “do” cold goat cheese, but he’s recently “warmed up” to recipes with hot goat cheese (ha), so I’ll have to try this one him one day soon. Great dish!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Cold or warm – with goat cheese, I’m in! I absolutely love it!
Sonia says
Could you reheat this easily in a microwave or a toaster oven?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Absolutely! I reheated mine the next day by covering it with aluminum foil and baking it for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Margaret says
Awesome bake goat cheese dip in marina dip sauce recipe. Looking forward to try this marina dip sauce. Love it!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Margaret. It’s absolutely delicious! I’m making it again this coming weekend because I have guests coming. Perfect snack to serve!
Linda says
I made this on the weekend and it was spectacular! It was gone in a heartbeat. I’ll definitely be making this again. Thanks!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
It is indeed a quick and easy dip. We love it – glad you liked it too. 🙂
Jessica Robinson says
Oh my goodness! YUM! I’m a huge fan of goat’s cheese and homemade marinara sauce. I’ll definitely be trying this one for our New Year’s Eve gathering!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jessica. I made it again last night. We hosted a casual evening with 8 people. The Baked Goat Cheese Dip was the first thing on the table to disappear. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love this dip! Happy New Year!! 🙂
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
I would make this, and eat the whole thing in one sitting! This looks so incredible.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I’ve done that. I won’t judge you. 🙂
Jax says
OH EMM GEEEE! Stop it, this is hands down my new guilty pleasure!! After making this I had to start following you on Pinterest and signed up for your news letter! It’s safe to say you have a stalker now for your recipes LOL!!! Amazing!!!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Haha! Thank you, Jax. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favourites too!!!