Description
This Goat Cheese & Marinara Dip is a warm, creamy, and tangy appetizer perfect for entertaining. Combining softened goat cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan, and dried basil, surrounded by a rich marinara sauce and baked until bubbly and golden, it’s served with crisp crostini or crackers for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip:
- 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:
- Baguette, sliced into 1/2 inch slices (about 1 loaf)
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an approximately 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened goat cheese, cream cheese, freshly grated Parmesan, and dried basil until smooth and well mixed.
- 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 this border around the cheese mixture and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the marinara sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is golden brown.
- Prepare the crostini: While the dip bakes, arrange baguette slices on a large baking sheet. Drizzle or brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 7 minutes, then flip the slices and bake an additional 4 minutes until golden and crisp. This can bake simultaneously with the dip.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the dip from the oven and garnish with ribbons of fresh basil (chiffonade). Serve immediately alongside warm crostini or crisp crackers for dipping.
Notes
- For a homemade marinara, use fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion, and herbs simmered until thick.
- If you prefer a spicier dip, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before baking.
- You can substitute crostini with crackers, celery sticks, or toasted pita chips.
- Ensure cheeses are softened to blend smoothly and avoid lumps.
- This dip is best served warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
