Description
This Baked Goat Cheese Dip is a creamy, savory appetizer perfect for parties or casual gatherings. Combining four types of cheese with zesty marinara sauce and fresh cherry tomatoes, it’s baked until bubbly and golden, then served warm with crusty bread or fresh veggies for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 Oz Plain Goat Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)
- 1/4 Cup Asiago Cheese (Shredded)
- 4 Oz Cream Cheese
Sauce and Seasonings
- 12 Oz Marinara Sauce
- 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 Tsp Balsamic Vinegar
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- Fresh Basil (Optional for topping)
- Crushed Red Pepper (Optional for topping)
Dippers
- Crostini
- Fresh Crusty Bread
- Carrot Sticks
- Raw Broccoli
- Celery Sticks
- Pretzel Rods
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish and oven: Spray a 1 1/2 quart baking dish with cooking spray and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the dip.
- Mix cheeses: In a large bowl, combine goat cheese, mozzarella, Asiago, and cream cheese. Stir with a spoon or blend with a hand mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside this creamy base.
- Prepare tomatoes: Halve the cherry tomatoes and remove any stems to ensure fresh, bite-sized pieces. Set them aside for topping the dip later.
- Mix sauce and seasonings: In a small bowl, combine marinara sauce, sea salt, minced garlic, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Stir well to incorporate all flavors evenly.
- Assemble the dip: Pour the seasoned marinara sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it to cover the bottom and concentrating sauce more around the edges. Then, scoop the cheese mixture into the center of the dish, leaving about an inch of sauce visible around the edges. Spread the cheese layer evenly.
- Add toppings: Top the cheese layer with the halved cherry tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Bake the dip: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the marinara sauce bubbles and the cheese is lightly golden and hot throughout.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve the baked goat cheese dip warm. Accompany it with your choice of crostini, crusty bread, or fresh veggie sticks for dipping. Optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves and crushed red pepper for added flavor and color. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe takes about 30 minutes total, making it a quick and easy appetizer option.
- The dip pairs excellently with a variety of dippers such as toasted bread, vegetables, or pretzel rods.
- Using a hand mixer helps achieve a smoother cheese texture for easy spreading.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to control the heat according to your preference.
- For best results, serve immediately while warm and bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 218 kcal
- Sugar: 4.7 g
- Sodium: 487 mg
- Fat: 16.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 9.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.8 g
- Fiber: 1.4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
