Baked Goat Cheese

Baked goat cheese couldn’t be an easier appetizer! Creamy goat cheese is warmed with your favorite marinara sauce and served with crackers for a party favorite dish.

Whenever my friends and I are planning get-togethers, one thing is always on the grocery list: goat cheese.

This tangy, creamy cheese has become one of our absolute favorites over the years, whether we are eating it plain on crackers or drizzling on honey for a luscious take. 

Baked goat cheese has risen to the top of our list. It’s super easy, but so good!

I always enjoy having some of these fuss-free dishes at parties so I can spend my time with friends instead of cooking, and I bet you do, too!

Plus, you can customize this baked cheese dish however you like to suit your mood or the occasion. 

Ingredients for baked goat cheese

All you need for this baked goat cheese dip is goat cheese, marinara sauce, salt and pepper, and basil.

When buying goat cheese, you want the soft chevre-style cheese that is most often sold in a log. If you’re buying fresh goat cheese from a local vendor, it might come in a small tub.

Do not buy goat cheese crumbles, or any variety of semifirm or firm goat cheese. They won’t work in this recipe! You need the soft goat cheese.

For the marinara sauce, I recommend buying your favorite that you’d normally use with pasta. Garlic and herb varieties are great options.

Whether you want a smoother or more chunky sauce is up to you!

You can also make your own marinara sauce if you’d like.

Fresh basil is added before serving for a burst of herbal flavor. If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use dried basil. Add the dried basil before baking, along with the salt and pepper.

How to make baked goat cheese dip

To make this dish, preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a small casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Unwrap the goat cheese and set it in the center of the dish. If you like, you can cut the goat cheese into rounds, but it is not necessary.

Pour the marinara sauce around the goat cheese in an even layer.

Sprinkle on salt and pepper.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Goat cheese does not melt or brown in the same way as other cheeses, so it will still look intact when you remove it from the oven. 

However, it will be warm and soft, and perfect for spreading onto crostini!

Sprinkle on the basil and serve while still warm.

How to chiffonade basil

To slice the basil leaves, I use a method called chiffonade.

Stack the basil leaves and roll lengthwise into a tube.

Holding the basil in place, slice thinly, creating little strips.

You can further chop the basil if you like smaller pieces, or use the ribbons for garnishing any dish.

Recipe variations

You can try this recipe with flavored chevre. Flavored chevre is either blended, or rolled in the flavorings.

Look for garlic and herb, roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, or sun-dried tomato.

Don’t use sweet chevre flavors such as honey or fruits.

Add more toppings to the dish, such as cherry tomatoes, fresh rosemary, or red pepper flakes.

Drizzle with your favorite balsamic vinegar reduction or flavored olive oil.

Serving suggestions

This warm goat cheese is perfect on crusty bread or sliced baguette made into crostini. 

Use your favorite crackers, or try it with homemade goat cheese crackers.

Want to turn this dip into a meal? Toss the baked goat cheese and sauce with cooked hot pasta for a take on the Tiktok trend.

Storage tips

Leftover baked goat cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap.

To reheat, remove plastic wrap and warm in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until heated through.

If you love goat cheese, you’ve gotta try this baked goat cheese the next time friends are stopping by. Happy snacking!