Goat Cheese and Marinara Dip

This goat cheese and marinara dip is an easy three ingredient, five minute appetizer that looks as great as it tastes! You’ll find this delectable dish on menus at many traditional Spanish tapas restaurants, served as Queso de Cabra con Tomate.

Call it whatever you’d like, I call it delicious!  It’s one of our favorite appetizers to take to parties because it’s always such a hit.

I take the less is more approach with just about everything – even appetizers. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or presentation. 

As a former caterer, some of my favorite appetizers take just 5 minutes or less. It doesn’t have to be difficult to be delicious! This simple Marinara and Goat Cheese Bake is the perfect example.

One of our favorite neighborhood tapas restaurants serves this dish, called queso de cabra con tomate. (Which literally translates to goat cheese with tomatoes, I believe!) Trust me when I tell you it’s delicious, no matter what language you choose to name this dish!

Goat Cheese and Marinara Dip

Just a few quality ingredients create an incredible flavor combination. It’s memorable and craveable! Creamy goat cheese pairs incredibly well with a robust red sauce with hints of garlic, onion and herbs.

You don’t have to be a chef or skilled cook to whip up this easy goat cheese bake. It’s always a crowd pleaser and feels special.

While goat cheese is not lactose free, it is easier to digest than cow’s milk because the fat molecules are shorter and the aging process reduces lactose. As the cheese ages, the lactose turns to lactic acid. 

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How to Make

1. Place your goat cheese log in a shallow baking dish.
2. Pour marinara on top or around your goat cheese log. Make your own marinara or use your favorite jarred sauce. Traditionally it’s served with marinara surrounding goat cheese, but I like to cover the goat cheese in marinara for a truly beautiful dish.
3. Microwave or bake. Completely your choice! No one will know the difference either way.
4. Garnish and serve with your favorite breads or crackers.

Variations

• Substitute goat cheese with cream cheese.
• Drizzle a little high quality olive oil over the top.
• Add Caramelized Onions
• It’s quick and easy to make in one large dish or you can serve individual dishes by simply adding tomato sauce to a shallow bowl and topping with a slice of goat cheese. Place individual dishes on a cookie sheet for easy removal from the oven.

Serving Suggestions

• Crostini (this is how queso de cabra con tomate is served at the tapas restaurants!)
• Baguette
• Pita Chips
• Crackers

How to Store

• At Room Temperature – You can leave this out at room temperature for up to two hours while serving.
• Refrigerate – This goat cheese marinara dip can be stored for up to one week in an airtight container.
• Freeze – While you can safely freeze this dip for up to 3-4 months, the texture won’t be quite the same.

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