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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Create a vibrant sauce by combining RAGÚ, minced garlic, half of the chopped basil, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Shape the goat cheese into a flattened disc slightly smaller than the baking dish, carefully removing any plastic wrap.
- Gently place the goat cheese disc in the center of the sauce, ensuring it sits perfectly.
- Enhance the cheese with a delicate drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle of thyme, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper.
- 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.
- Simultaneously prepare crostini by arranging baguette slices on a baking sheet, brushing with olive oil and sprinkling with kosher salt.
- Toast the baguette slices in the upper oven rack during the last 10-12 minutes of baking, flipping midway to ensure even golden crispness.
- After toasting, rub each crostini with a halved garlic clove to intensify the flavor.
- Finish the dip by garnishing with remaining chopped basil and optional blistered tomatoes.
- 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