This easy recipe for Baked Goat Cheese uses just three ingredients and takes just minutes to throw together. Serve with crostini, garlic bread or use it to make 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.
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.
This stuffed garlic bread recipe is perfect with the baked goat cheese and highly recommended.
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. At least I can make it myself!
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
Just 3 ingredients to a bubbling hot, cheesy Baked Goat Cheese appetizer! This stuffed garlic bread recipe is perfect with it.
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375F.
In a small baking dish, press the goat cheese to fit the shape of your dish, leaving a 1-inch border around edge. Gently spoon the marinara around the border, taking care to cover the edge of goat cheese but not the middle (see photo). Sprinkle with the salt.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the goat cheese is hot and soft and the marinara is hot and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the basil. Serve immediately with crostini or garlic bread for dipping.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 537mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 11g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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Jasmine
Wednesday 22nd of June 2022
I'm sure many would be aghast, but as it looks like the baking is only meant to make things hot and bubbly, is this something that could be prepared in the microwave? It doesn't seem the oven is contributing very much to flavor, and I'd rather not heat up the whole oven for one serving.
Mary Ippolito
Saturday 13th of March 2021
I was thinking of using my mini crock pot. Just wondering how long it would take to cook.
Kristy Bernardo
Monday 19th of April 2021
I'm not sure as I haven't tested it, but I would think that an hour on high would do the trick. Let us know if you try it and how it works out!
Glenna
Tuesday 12th of November 2019
Can I use a flavored goat cheese? Thinking garlic and herb?
Kristy
Tuesday 12th of November 2019
I haven't tried it with flavored cheese but I'm sure it would be delicious!
Rachel
Tuesday 25th of September 2018
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
Tuesday 25th of September 2018
Thank you SO much for letting me know! I just fixed it :)
Mary
Thursday 9th of February 2017
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
Monday 20th of February 2017
Hi Mary! That's ONE 8oz log. Cheers!