Description
This creamy Goat Cheese & Marinara Dip combines tangy goat cheese, rich cream cheese, and savory Parmesan with a zesty marinara sauce baked to bubbly perfection. Served warm with crostini or crisp crackers, it’s an irresistible appetizer perfect for gatherings or parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 8 ounces goat cheese softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 1/2 cups jarred marinara sauce
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Fresh basil for garnish
Crostini Ingredients
- 1 baguette sliced into 1/2 inch slices
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, cream cheese, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and dried basil. Mix until well blended.
- Assemble the dip: Spread the cheese mixture into the center of the prepared baking dish, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Pour the marinara sauce into the border around the cheese mixture, then sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt over the top.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, or until the marinara is bubbly and the cheese has turned golden brown.
- Prepare the crostini: While the dip bakes, arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle or brush both sides with olive oil. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes, then flip and bake for an additional 4 minutes until both sides are golden and crisp. This can be done simultaneously with the dip.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the dip from the oven and garnish with fresh basil chiffonade. Serve immediately alongside the warm crostini or your choice of crisp crackers for dipping.
Notes
- Substitute crackers or celery sticks for crostini for a gluten-free option.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before baking.
- Use homemade marinara sauce for a fresher taste if desired.
- Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns.
- This dip pairs well with a glass of dry white wine or sparkling water with lemon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
