This easy recipe for Baked Goat Cheese uses just three ingredients and takes just minutes to throw together. Serve with crostini, garlic bread or try making stuffed zucchini!
There’s an appetizer at Mon Ami Gabi that must be ordered every time I walk through their front door.
Along with Mussels Marinière and Wild Escargots de Bourgogne is the Baked Goat Cheese – all three are top choices and have been enjoyed over many a happy hour. But the Baked Goat Cheese tends to be the one that ends up on our table whether anyone is hungry or not – no one can resist it. The buttery, garlicky baguette used to scoop up the soft goat cheese and silky tomato sauce makes an irresistible combination. Add a glass of white wine and I may never leave. (Update, November 2015: Mon Ami took this appetizer off my local menu. They replaced it with a fabulous Wild Mushroom Triple Cream Cheese appetizer that I am going to do my best to duplicate! But I’m still sad that the Baked Goat Cheese is no more) :-(
So I decided to create my own easy recipe for baked goat cheese at home. It’s slightly different in that I chose to use a chunky marinara and some crunchy crostini in place of the garlic bread but oh! is it good. Soft, smooth, warm goat cheese and bubbling marinara – all in under 30 minutes (25 of which is baking time!) – makes for a mouthwatering appetizer that’s perfect for almost any gathering.
It’s best to let your goat cheese soften a bit before spreading in your dish. You can skip it if you’re in a rush but goat cheese is much more spreadable when soft. I like to spoon the marinara just on the outside for a prettier presentation but you could cover the goat cheese completely if you prefer. It will bake up bubbly and delicious no matter how you prepare it!
Baked Goat Cheese {3-ingredient recipe}
The simplest appetizer you’ll ever make!
- 1 8 oz log goat cheese (softened)
- 1 small box or jar marinara sauce (about 2 cups)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (cut into ribbons)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a small baking dish, press goat cheese to fit shape of dish, leaving a 1-inch border around edge. Gently spoon marinara into border, taking care to cover the edge of goat cheese but not the middle (see photo). Sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until goat cheese is hot and soft and marinara is hot and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with basil. Serve immediately with crostini or garlic bread for dipping.
Things You’ll Need
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
This looks amazing and so simple too! Pinned!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks so much, Sherri!
Ginny McMeans says
This is so easy and so many people are going to love it! Thanks!
the wicked noodle says
You’re welcome, thanks for the comment :)
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian says
Love this!!! Perfect for a summer party. Or any other time of year :-)
the wicked noodle says
Thank you, Susan!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I can’t believe how simple this is! What a great appetizer and so original. Love it!
the wicked noodle says
Thank you, Toni!
Carrie Pacini says
Your baked goat cheese dip looks fantastic and easy to pull together!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks so much, Carrie!
Dee-Anne says
I was running late for a party that I needed to bring and appetizer to. I was looking for something simple with ingredients I already had at home and came across this. On my way out the door and can’t wait to try it!
Kristy Bernardo says
So glad I could help – hope you loved it!
Bob Gallup says
I was just at that restaurant a few weeks ago and had the Baked Goat Cheese appetizer. thanks for your recipe. I was going to try to figure it.
Kristy Bernardo says
They’ve since discontinued it at my location so now I’m super glad to have it!
Mary says
I love this dish at Mon Ami Gabi and would love to make this at home. Does your ingredient list call for ‘One 8 oz log goat cheese’ or ’18 oz log goat cheese’ ? Thanks!
Kristy Bernardo says
Hi Mary! That’s ONE 8oz log. Cheers!
Rachel says
Hey there! Your photos & description of this recipe look wonderful, but it looks like something is wrong with the recipe card! The recipe card isn’t showing up, it just has “[wprm-recipe id=”21198″]” in its place. Just wanted to let you know!
Kristy says
Thank you SO much for letting me know! I just fixed it :)
Glenna says
Can I use a flavored goat cheese? Thinking garlic and herb?
Kristy says
I haven’t tried it with flavored cheese but I’m sure it would be delicious!