Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip Recipe: Simple & Tasty

Creamy baked tomato goat cheese dip revamps ordinary appetizers into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance across your palate with rich, tangy sensations.

Soft and velvety textures meld perfectly with bright, robust ingredients.

Sophisticated yet simple, this appetizer elevates any gathering with its elegant profile.

Warm, bubbling cheese creates a luxurious backdrop for vibrant seasonal produce.

Each spoonful promises a delightful blend of rustic comfort and gourmet finesse.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish that promises to spark conversation and delight taste buds.

Storing and Reheating Tomato Goat Cheese Dip

• Refrigerate: Store leftover dip in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer dip to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Option: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Be careful not to overheat, as goat cheese can separate quickly.

Tomato Goat Cheese Dip Pairing Ideas

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Elevate the creamy goat cheese and tangy tomato sauce with a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light wines complement the dip's rich flavors and cut through its richness, creating a perfect balance.
• Match with Herbal Cocktail: Create a zesty gin-based cocktail with fresh basil and a splash of lemon. The herbal notes will mirror the basil in the recipe and provide a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, cheesy dip.
• Combine with Rustic Charcuterie: Serve alongside a selection of cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and soppressata. The salty, savory charcuterie will enhance the dip's tomato and cheese flavors, offering a delightful texture contrast.
• Add Sparkling Rosé Pairing: Choose a dry, crisp rosé to match the dip's vibrant profile. Its light, fruity notes will dance beautifully with the tomato sauce and provide a delightful accompaniment to the warm, creamy goat cheese.

Tomato Goat Cheese Dip Flavor Variations

• Mediterranean Infusion: Replace RAGÚ sauce with a mix of sun-dried tomato pesto, add chopped kalamata olives, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Swap the basil with cilantro, use chipotle-infused tomato sauce, add diced green chiles, and top with pepper jack cheese for a bold, zesty experience.
• Herbed Rustic Blend: Incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme into the sauce, mix in roasted garlic cloves, and finish with a drizzle of truffle oil for an elevated, earthy dimension.
• Smoky Vegetable Fusion: Blend roasted red peppers into the sauce, add grilled zucchini and eggplant slices around the goat cheese, and garnish with smoked paprika for a rich, complex taste.

Why You Should Make Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip

• Effortlessly Impress Guests: This baked tomato goat cheese dip delivers restaurant-quality appetizer with minimal cooking skills required, making it perfect for entertaining without stress.
• Burst of Flavor Harmony: The combination of tangy RAGÚ sauce, creamy goat cheese, fresh basil, and spicy red pepper flakes creates a complex and exciting taste profile that keeps every bite interesting.
• Quick and Convenient Preparation: From start to finish, this recipe takes just 30 minutes, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the company of friends and family instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
• Multi-Sensory Eating Experience: The crispy crostini provides a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the smooth, warm goat cheese and vibrant tomato sauce, engaging multiple textures in one delightful dish.

Ingredients to Create Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip

Main Ingredients:

• Goat Cheese: Creamy cheese that creates the rich, tangy centerpiece of the dip, best when fresh and soft.
• Ragú Sauce: Classic tomato sauce providing a flavorful base with robust red tomato character.

• Basil: Fresh herb with bright, sweet flavor that adds a classic Italian touch, choose vibrant green leaves.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that complements the goat cheese with subtle woodsy notes.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and complexity, select firm, fresh cloves.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and spicy dimension to the dish.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use sparingly for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper provides a mild heat and aromatic quality.

• Baguette: Classic French bread perfect for crispy crostini, choose a fresh, crusty loaf.
• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for drizzling and adding richness, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Tomatoes (Optional Garnish): Fresh tomatoes add bright color and extra freshness to the presentation.

How to Make the Best Tomato Goat Cheese Dip

Step 1: Prepare Flavor Base

Mix together tomato sauce, minced garlic, half the fresh basil, and red pepper flakes in a small mixing bowl. Coat a round baking dish with cooking spray and pour the sauce mixture inside.

Step 2: Create Cheese Layer

• Placing cheese between plastic wrap
• Pressing and flattening with gentle pressure
• Removing plastic carefully

Place cheese disc directly in sauce center.

Step 3: Season and Drizzle

• Drizzling olive oil over the top
• Sprinkling fresh thyme leaves
• Adding kosher salt
• Grinding fresh black pepper

Step 4: Bake the Dip

Position oven rack in lower third section. Preheat to 375°F. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until sauce bubbles and cheese warms through.

Step 5: Craft Crispy Crostini

• Arranging baguette pieces on baking sheet
• Brushing with olive oil
• Sprinkling kosher salt
• Toasting in upper oven rack for 10-12 minutes
• Flipping halfway for even golden color
• Rubbing with fresh garlic after toasting

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Sprinkling remaining fresh basil
• Adding optional blistered tomatoes
• Serving warm alongside crispy crostini

Tips for Serving Tomato Goat Cheese Dip Hot

• Sauce Selection Trick: Choose a high-quality, flavorful marinara or RAGÚ sauce to enhance the overall taste of the dip, as the sauce forms the base of the recipe.
• Cheese Temperature Hack: Let the goat cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before preparing, making it easier to shape and spread smoothly in the baking dish.
• Herb Freshness Boost: Use fresh basil and thyme for maximum flavor intensity, chopping them just before adding to release their aromatic oils.
• Crostini Crispiness Secret: Watch the baguette slices closely while toasting to prevent burning, ensuring a perfect golden-brown and crunchy texture.
• Serving Presentation Tip: Garnish with extra fresh basil and blistered cherry tomatoes to add a pop of color and fresh, vibrant flavor to the warm dip.

Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Baked tomato goat cheese dip combines Mediterranean flavors in a luscious appetizer perfect for sharing. Roasted tomatoes meld with creamy goat cheese, creating a rich and irresistible starter you’ll want to savor with crusty bread.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (10-10.5 ounces/298-298.5 grams) log goat cheese, softened
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) RAGÚ Simply® Traditional Sauce
• 1 large baguette, sliced on the bias

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 3 cloves garlic, divided
• ¼ cup (59 milliliters) fresh basil, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1/8–¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

• Olive oil, as needed
• Blistered tomatoes, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning racks in the upper and lower thirds. Lightly coat a small round baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Create a vibrant sauce by combining RAGÚ, minced garlic, half of the chopped basil, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
3. Pour the prepared sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
4. Shape the goat cheese into a flattened disc slightly smaller than the baking dish, carefully removing any plastic wrap.
5. Gently place the goat cheese disc in the center of the sauce, ensuring it sits perfectly.
6. Enhance the cheese with a delicate drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle of thyme, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper.
7. Slide the baking dish onto the lower oven rack and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the sauce bubbles and the cheese warms through.
8. Simultaneously prepare crostini by arranging baguette slices on a baking sheet, brushing with olive oil and sprinkling with kosher salt.
9. Toast the baguette slices in the upper oven rack during the last 10-12 minutes of baking, flipping midway to ensure even golden crispness.
10. After toasting, rub each crostini with a halved garlic clove to intensify the flavor.
11. Finish the dip by garnishing with remaining chopped basil and optional blistered tomatoes.
12. Serve the warm dip immediately alongside the crispy crostini for a delightful appetizer experience.

Notes

• Create a vibrant appetizer that combines the richness of goat cheese with tangy RAGÚ sauce for a crowd-pleasing starter.
• Prepare the goat cheese disc slightly smaller than the baking dish to ensure even heating and beautiful presentation.
• Use fresh basil and thyme to elevate the flavor profile, adding brightness and aromatic depth to the dip.
• Toast baguette slices quickly and efficiently by placing them in the upper oven rack during the last 10-12 minutes of baking.
• Rub warm crostini with fresh garlic for an extra layer of flavor that complements the creamy goat cheese and tomato sauce.
• Optional garnish of blistered tomatoes adds a fresh, colorful touch to the finished dish, making it visually appealing and delicious.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg