Description
Creamy goat cheese dip with roasted Mediterranean tomatoes creates a perfect appetizer for casual gatherings. Herbs and garlic elevate this simple recipe, inviting you to savor each spoonful with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 10-10.5 oz (298–298.5 g) log goat cheese, softened
- 2 cups (473 mL) RAGÚ Simply® Traditional Sauce
- 1 large baguette, sliced on the bias
- 3 cloves garlic, divided
- 0.25 cup (59 mL) fresh basil, chopped
- 0.25 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 0.125–0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, as needed
- Blistered tomatoes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) with racks positioned in upper and lower thirds. Coat a small round baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauce Creation: Blend RAGÚ, minced garlic, half of chopped basil, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl, spreading evenly across the baking dish bottom.
- Cheese Placement: Shape goat cheese into a flattened disc slightly smaller than the baking dish, positioning it centrally in the sauce. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle thyme, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper.
- Baking Process: Bake uncovered on lower oven rack for 20-25 minutes until sauce bubbles and cheese warms through. Simultaneously, prepare crostini by arranging baguette slices on a baking sheet, brushing with olive oil and kosher salt.
- Crostini Preparation: Toast baguette slices on upper oven rack during final 10-12 minutes, flipping midway for even golden crispness. Rub toasted slices with halved garlic clove to enhance flavor.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish dip with remaining chopped basil and optional blistered tomatoes. Serve warm alongside crispy crostini for an appetizing experience.
Notes
- Cheese Temperature Tip: Let goat cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before preparing to ensure smooth spreading and better melting.
- Sauce Depth Strategy: Use high-quality RAGÚ and fresh garlic for robust flavor complexity that elevates the entire dip.
- Toasting Precision: Watch crostini closely during final 10-12 minutes to prevent burning; golden edges indicate perfect crispness.
- Serving Recommendation: Consume immediately after baking to experience optimal texture and temperature of melted cheese and bubbling sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg