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.

A white plate with a meatball covered in sauce and crackers, topped with queso de cabra con tomate.
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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!

A plate of queso de cabra con tomate with a meatball covered in sauce and crackers.

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.

A person is dipping a chip into a dish of queso de cabra con tomate enchiladas.
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • So easy – It requires just a couple ingredients.
  • Beautiful color – Such a pretty presentation!
  • Wholesome – This recipe is gluten free and has less fat, cheese and sodium than traditional cow’s milk cheeses. It’s high in protein and rich in nutrients.  

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. 

A person is dipping a cracker into a plate of queso de cabra con tomate.

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Shopping List

  • Marinara (choose your favorite)
  • Goat Cheese Log
  • Fresh Basil
  • Crackers or Crostini (for serving)

How to Make

  1. Place your goat cheese log in a shallow baking dish. A roll of goat cheese in a white bowl.
  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. A plate with queso de cabra con tomate, a delicious goat cheese bake covered in sauce.
  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.
A plate with a stuffed eggplant topped with queso de cabra and tomato sauce.

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.
A white dish with a piece of fish covered in sauce and queso de cabra.
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Tips

  • Best served warm. 
  • Goat cheese can remain at room temperature up to 2 hours, then it’s best to discard.
  • Leftovers? Store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days. Just warm to enjoy!
A white plate with a pizza covered in sauce and goat cheese.

Serving Suggestions

  • Crostini (this is how queso de cabra con tomate is served at the tapas restaurants!)
  • Baguette
  • Pita Chips
  • Crackers
A white plate with a pizza covered in sauce and goat cheese.

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.

More Goat Cheese Inspiration

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A person is dipping a cracker into a dish of queso de cabra.
5 from 4 votes
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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
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients  

  • 10.5 ounces goat cheese
  • 16 ounces marinara jarred or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons basil thinly sliced

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Place your goat cheese log in a baking dish.
  • Pour marinara sauce on and around goat cheese.
  • Bake in oven for around 10 minutes.
  • Top with thinly sliced basil for a touch of color.
  • Serve with crostini or crackers and enjoy!

Julie’s Tips

Tips
  • Best served warm.
  • You can also microwave this dish. Simply warm through in 60 second increments, careful not to overheat.
  • Goat cheese can remain at room temperature up to 2 hours, then it’s best to discard.
  • Leftovers? Store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days. Just warm to enjoy!
Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 656IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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2 Comments

  1. I LOVE this as an appetizer. Looks so Christmasy with the sauce and basil, too. Saving this for next time we host an event. Yum!