Goat Cheese Marinara

Goat Cheese Marinara is one of my favorite appetizers–easy to make, so warm and satisfying to eat and yet is very gourmet!! Not bad for a simple dish. Next time you are asked to bring an appetizer to a party, bring this and watch as people ooohhhh and aahhhhh….

All you will need is one goat cheese log (plain or, my favorite, the herbed one) and either a jar of good quality marinara sauce or, better yet, homemade marinara (see my recipe for marinara sauce under my Sauces category). You will also need a baguette for garlic bread. In an ovenproof baking dish, add your marinara sauce. Unwrap your goat cheese and place it in middle of the sauce so it is “swimming” if you will.

Cover with tin foil and cook in 375º oven for 30-40 minutes. Make sure the sauce is very hot.

Make your garlic bread to your perfection, cut it into slices and use as the utensil for scooping out the cheese and marinara together. The messier and more mixed up the cheese and marinara get, the better the appetizer tastes!! Only question I have for you, will you let your friends double dip? Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

Goat cheese log, plain or herbed
1 jar of good quality marinara OR homemede marinara (see recipe under Sauces category)
Garlic bread loaf (made to your liking)

Tips for Success

This appetizer is about as easy as entertaining gets, but a few small things make it really shine.

• Use a small dish. A shallow baking dish that fits the goat cheese with about an inch or two of sauce all around is perfect. Too big a dish and the sauce spreads thin and cooks down too fast.
• Keep the cheese cold until it goes in. A cold log holds its shape in the oven and turns soft and creamy instead of melting into a puddle before the sauce is hot.
• Check that the sauce is bubbling. The center of the cheese should be warm and spreadable when you press it with a spoon. If it is not there yet, give it another 5 minutes.
• Time the bread. I pop my garlic bread in the oven during the last 10 minutes so everything comes out hot together.

Variations to Try

The herbed goat cheese is my favorite, but there are so many ways to change this up. Sprinkle a few fresh basil leaves or a little chopped parsley over the top right before serving. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if your crowd likes some heat. A drizzle of good olive oil over the warm cheese looks beautiful and tastes even better. You can also swap the goat cheese for a round of fresh mozzarella or a few spoonfuls of ricotta for a milder version. If you are not a garlic bread fan, toasted baguette slices, pita wedges or crackers all make great scoopers.

Make Ahead and Serving

You can assemble the dish up to a day ahead. Spoon the sauce into the baking dish, set the cheese in the middle, cover with foil and refrigerate. When your guests are on the way, bake it straight from the refrigerator and add about 10 extra minutes so it heats all the way through. Serve it right in the baking dish set on a trivet or a folded towel so it stays warm on the table. I like to set out a small spoon too for anyone who prefers not to dunk.

Storing Leftovers

If by some miracle you have leftovers, scrape the cheese and sauce into a covered container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It makes an amazing creamy pasta sauce the next day. Just warm it in a pan, toss it with hot pasta and add a splash of the pasta water to loosen it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much goat cheese should I buy?

A standard four to eight ounce log works for one jar or batch of sauce. For a big party, make two dishes rather than one huge one so it heats evenly.

Can I make it without foil?

You can use an oven safe lid instead. Covering keeps the sauce from drying out while the cheese warms through.

What should I serve with it?

It pairs well with a crisp green salad, olives and a glass of red wine, making it a lovely start to an Italian dinner.

Mandy

Goat Cheese Marinara

A log of goat cheese baked in hot marinara sauce and served with garlic bread for scooping. An easy, warm and very gourmet party appetizer.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 goat cheese log plain or herbed
• 1 jar good quality marinara sauce or homemade marinara
• 1 loaf garlic bread made to your liking

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Pour the marinara sauce into an ovenproof baking dish.
3. Unwrap the goat cheese and set it in the middle of the sauce so it is swimming in it.
4. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the sauce is very hot.
5. Meanwhile, make the garlic bread and cut it into slices.
6. Serve the dish warm and use the garlic bread to scoop up the cheese and marinara together.

Notes

Assemble up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Add about 10 minutes to the baking time when baking straight from the refrigerator.