Description
A warm and creamy Goat Cheese & Marinara Dip perfect for entertaining. This easy recipe combines tangy goat cheese with rich marinara sauce, baked until bubbly and golden. Served with crispy homemade crostini, it makes a delightful appetizer or snack.
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
- Baguette sliced into 1/2 inch slices
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a small baking dish (approximately 8 inches) with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cheeses and Seasoning: In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, cream cheese, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and dried basil. Stir well until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Assemble the Dip: Spread the cheese mixture into the center of the prepared baking dish, leaving a 1-inch border empty around the edges. Pour the marinara sauce into the border area surrounding the cheese and sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt over the top.
- Bake the Dip: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese surface turns golden brown.
- Prepare Crostini: While the dip bakes, slice a baguette into 1/2 inch slices. Arrange them on a large baking sheet, brush both sides with olive oil. Bake for 6-7 minutes, then flip each slice and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes until golden on both sides. This can be done simultaneously with the dip baking.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and garnish with fresh basil cut into ribbons (chiffonade). Serve immediately with warm crostini or crisp crackers for dipping.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, serve with gluten-free crackers instead of crostini.
- Use fresh basil for garnish to enhance flavor and presentation.
- Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought based on convenience.
- Crostini can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for crispness.
- Serve with celery sticks as an alternative dipping option for added crunch and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dip with crostini
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
