Baked Goat Cheese Recipe (2024)

Jump straight to the recipe here (but you'll miss a lot of good info)!

This easy Baked Goat Cheese recipe uses just three ingredients and takes just minutes to throw together. Serve on top of crostini, garlic bread or as a goat cheese dip!

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 Dip – 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.

Baked Goat Cheese Recipe (1)

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.

Baked Goat Cheese Ingredients

  • Goat Cheese: Also known as Chèvre in French, use any brand of goat cheese you prefer. I prefer fresh chèvre in log form.
  • Marinara Sauce: Marinara is a traditional Italian tomato sauce often made with tomatoes, onions, olive oil, garlic, basil and other herbs.
  • Basil: A little green to garnish that also adds a sweet, peppery flavor with hints of mint.
  • Salt: Any coarse salt such as kosher or sea salt will work.

(Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe card with detailed recipe instructions.)

How to Make Baked Goat Cheese

With just three ingredients this easy appetizer (or dip) comes together in just 5 minutes, plus bake time.

  1. Press the goat cheese to fit the shape of your dish with spacing around the edge.
  2. Gently spoon the marinara around the border and sprinkle salt.
  3. Bake until the goat cheese is warm and soft and the marinara is hot and bubbling.

How to Serve Hot Goat Cheese

  • Chevre-and-bread: Spread over baguette slices or crostini.
  • Goat Cheese Dip: Serve as a dip with raw veggies (celery, carrots, bell pepper, endive leaves etc.), crusty bread, crackers, bagel chips, pita chips and much more.
  • Stuffed garlic bread: This stuffed garlic bread recipe is perfect with the baked goat cheese and highly recommended.
  • Use it with this stuffed zucchini recipe.

Goat Cheese Tips & Variations

  • 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!
  • 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.
  • Make it spicy with jalapeno, red pepper flakes or mix the marinara with Calabrian chili paste.
  • Add bacon, olives or cherry tomatoes to the marinara sauce.
  • Make it creamier and substitute the marinara sauce for vodka sauce.
  • Add a dollop of basil pesto on top
  • I use plain goat cheese but feel free to experiment with flavored goat cheese varieties.
  • Serve in a slow cooker or Crock Pot to keep warm, if you prefer.

Make Ahead

This dish can be prepared and baked right before serving, simply mix everything together, cover and store in the refrigerator up to a day ahead. When ready, bake and serve!

Baked Goat Cheese Recipe (2)

Baked Goat Cheese

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

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

    1. Preheat oven to 375F.
    2. 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.
    3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the goat cheese is warm and soft and the marinara is hot and bubbling.
    4. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the basil. Serve immediately with crostini or garlic bread for dipping.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount 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.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts

Kristy Bernardo

Kristy Bernardo is the recipe creator behind The Wicked Noodle. She's a five-time cookbook author, has taught cooking classes to both kids and adults, and has been creating recipes for nationwide brands since 2009. She learned most of her cooking skills from her mom and grandmother, then honed those skills at boot camp at the Culinary Institute of America.

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Baked Goat Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to heat goat cheese? ›

When baked in the oven, goat cheese gets warm and soft, but doesn't melt into a puddle like cheddar or mozzarella would. Refrigerating the breadcrumb coated rounds before baking ensures that the crust will have time to crisp and turn golden without overcooking the goat cheese.

Can you melt goat cheese? ›

Pour 1 cup milk into the saucepan while stirring; add goat cheese and stir to melt.

How do you make goat cheese taste better? ›

Adding Flavors

You can mix herbs, fruit, jam, nuts, seeds, or even balsamic vinegar right into the goat cheese.

Is goat cheese healthier than cow cheese? ›

As you can see, goat cheese has a slightly more protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and vitamin A content compared to cow cheese. Additionally, goat cheese fat content is slightly lower than cow cheese. Regardless, both cow and goat cheese can support keto-diets and recipes.

Does goat cheese melt like mozzarella? ›

Acid-Set Cheeses: The Grillers and Fryers

There's one type of cheese that no amount of tweaking will melt: Acid-set cheeses, like fresh goat cheese, quick farmers cheese, paneer, queso fresco, and ricotta, just can't do it.

Why does goat cheese taste funky? ›

So why does goats' cheese taste of 'goat'? The scientific reason behind the goat flavour in goats' cheese, is that their milk has a higher amount of three smaller-chain fatty acids (caproic, capric and caprylic fat) that give those 'goaty', 'barnyardy' flavours.

Is goat cheese good or bad for you? ›

Goat cheese is full of beneficial probiotics, a healthy kind of bacteria. Probiotics colonize the intestines and compete with any unhealthy bacteria or pathogens that they find there. This can improve the effectiveness of your immune system and reduce your vulnerability to illness.

Should you peel goats cheese? ›

These blue surface moulds on the rind of a goats' cheese are perfectly safe to eat, and some presence on the rind adds flavour. However people are not always used to seeing them, and can find them a bit scary! To help control what grows on the rind, cheesemakers often add yeasts and moulds to their cheeses.

What pairs well with goat cheese? ›

Almonds, basil, cayenne pepper, chervil, chives, hazelnut, macadamia nuts, paprika, parsley, pine nuts, pistachio, sage, tarragon, walnuts. Bacon, beef, bulgur, chicken, duck, egg, freekeh, ham, honey, lamb, maple syrup, orzo, prosciutto, quinoa, salami, truffle, turkey, veal, wild rice.

Why is goat cheese so pungent? ›

This tangy, barnyard flavor comes from the fatty acid composition of goat's milk. For you true science lovers out there, here's a more detailed breakdown! A few of these fatty acids include 4-ethyl octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, caproic acid, and caprylic acid.

Why is goat cheese more expensive? ›

All of this points to the fact that there is less goat milk available in the US from which to make cheese, and high demand for it, leading to a higher price on the shelf.

Do people taste goat cheese differently? ›

It's just different. Some love it and some don't, and personal taste can be affected by the way individuals taste things, or what you grew up eating. Also, there are many types of goat cheese with different flavor characteristics, just as there are with cheeses made from cow's milk.

What are the disadvantages of goat cheese? ›

Saturated fat content: Despite being lower in fat than some other cheeses, goat cheese does contain saturated fats. Diets high in saturated fats have been linked to increased levels of cholesterol, potentially impacting heart health. Moderation is key to enjoying the benefits without the drawbacks.

Is goat cheese anti-inflammatory? ›

Many of the microorganisms present in goat milk cheese, yoghurt and other byproducts are beneficial to human health. In addition to their anti-inflammatory action, they promote positive effects on intestinal functions.

Is goat cheese served warm or cold? ›

Goat cheese is so creamy and tart. It's delicious on bread, crackers, fruits, and veggies. It is diverse and pairs well with savory and sweet flavors. You can eat it warm or cold.

Does goat cheese melt when heated? ›

How well a cheese can melt depends on its moisture content, age, and acidity. Old, grate-ables like Parmigiano aren't flexible enough to melt. Tangy freshies like feta and goat cheese soften, but won't get gooey. And squishies like brie and Taleggio liquefy into an oozing puddle when heated.

Can you warm goat cheese in the microwave? ›

Warm the goat cheese in the microwave for 15 seconds or until it is a little melted. Brush a thin layer of warm cheese onto the bread. Put the breads onto a cookie sheet and bake them at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes or until the bread is a little crisp.

Is it okay to microwave goat cheese? ›

Then melt the goat cheese is for one minute in the microwave (if you prefer the cheese is completely melted) or 4 to 5 minutes in the oven (if you like cheese just warm, slightly toasted and in one piece) . Personally, I prefer when it's melted…

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