Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese Dip
This quick and easy savory goat cheese dip bakes in just 20 minutes and has only 10 ingredients (including salt and pepper) making it the perfect “make ahead” dip for your next game day party or family get together!
You Will Love This
- If you’re a goat cheese lover, or even someone who isn’t sure about goat cheese – this dip is for you! Goat cheese lends itself so well to being a dip because of it’s creamy texture and mild but tangy flavor. Pair that with roasted garlic and tomatoes you’ve got a trifecta of classic flavors ready to be slathered on a slice of French baguette!
- The ingredient list is short and sweet. Less than 10 simple ingredients (which INCLUDES the salt, pepper and bread) is all it takes to get this crowd pleasing appetizer on the table.
- It’s a beautiful appetizer to serve at a party! Or to serve to yourself on a Friday night with a big glass of Merlot, your cuddly slippers and the latest episode of Dateline. Either way, this baked goat cheese dip is a feast for your eyes. And then for your taste buds.
- If you liked this goat cheese dip, be sure to check out my baked spinach dip, creamy jalapeno popper dip, cheesy baked olive dip, or creamy baked crap dip.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Garlic – Don’t be afraid of the garlic! Two heads of garlic sounds like a lot but I promise, it’s not. The roasting process really mellows the flavor of the garlic. Honestly if you love garlic as much as I do, you even could go ahead and add three heads of garlic to this baked cheese dip!
- Olive Oil – This is our family’s favorite brand of olive oil. You could also use grapeseed oil or avocado oil instead.
- Goat Cheese – I like to use plain goat cheese – AKA chèvre – but you could use a flavored goat cheese as well. Most packages are either 4, 8, or 10 ounces. I used a 10 oz. package for this dip. Be sure to use a log of goat cheese as opposed to pre-crumbled goat cheese. The log melts better and gives it a smoother texture.
- Parmesan Cheese – The Parmesan adds a delicious nutty flavor and a melty texture. You could substitute Asiago or Romano as well. If you need to keep the recipe dairy free, use a vegan Parmesan cheese!
- Whole Milk – You could also use 1%, 2%, or half and half in place of the whole milk. Feel free to use your favorite dairy free milk as well.
- Fresh Thyme – I love the flavor that fresh thyme adds to this dip but you could also use other fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, oregano, or fresh basil instead. You could sub the 2 teaspoons of fresh herbs for 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
- Grape Tomatoes – You can also use cherry tomatoes. I like to leave the tomatoes whole but you could slice them in half if you prefer.
- Crostini – This creamy dip pairs well with crunchy crostini, sliced French bread, or crackers.
Instructions
Slice the tops off two heads of garlic.
Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil.
Then sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper and roast on a baking sheet, cut side down.
Squeeze the roasted heads of garlic into into a bowl along with goat cheese, Parmesan, milk, thyme, salt and pepper.
Stir to combine.
Lightly oil a baking dish or cast iron skillet and spread dip an even layer.
Top dip with grape tomatoes. Then drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 20 minutes and serve with sliced French bread, crunchy crostini, or crispy crackers!
Tips
- Don’t skip the tomatoes. The tomatoes might seem like a garnish, but they truly are a vital part of this delicious dip. They add a delicious freshness and nice texture to the dish.
- Season, season, season. This dip is very simple. The ingredient list is short. Moderate amounts of salt and pepper will go a long way to boost the flavors of this dip. Don’t be afraid to use them!
- If you’re looking for a super creamy whipped goat cheese dip, add the goat cheese, Parmesan, milk, and herbs to a food processor and pulse until everything is well combined, smooth, and creamy!
Variations
You can totally switch up the flavors in this creamy goat cheese appetizer by swapping the tomatoes for other ingredients. Some of our family’s favorite variations include:
- pistachios
- honey
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- marinara sauce
- bacon
- chives
- spices
- olive tapenade
- Kalamata olives
- caramelized onions
- lemon juice and zest
- balsamic vinegar reduction
FAQ
The best way to get goat cheese smooth and creamy is to heat it up along with a few other ingredients like milk and Parmesan cheese. The milk helps to loosen up the goat cheese and Parmesan will melt and combine with the goat cheese to give it the perfect texture.
The best part about goat cheese is that it’s a more mild cheese that blends well with a wide range of flavors. You can sweeten it up with honey, spice it up with red pepper flakes, or make it savory with crispy crumbled bacon. Pair goat cheese with any of your favorite flavors!
Yes and no. When you bake goat cheese is will soften and get super duper creamy. But you can’t melt goat cheese in the same way that you can melt a cheese like mozzarella or cheddar.
Make-Ahead
- You can roast the garlic ahead of time, which will really cut down on the total time it takes to make this dip. Squeeze the roasted garlic from the skin and seal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. When you’re ready to make the dip, follow the instructions in the recipe card below and bake!
- You can also prep the entire dip up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. About an hour before baking, let the dip sit out on the counter to come to room temperature. Plan to add an extra 5-10 minutes or more if you’re baking it after refrigerating.
Storage, and Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in a 350 degree or until warmed through. Or zap them in the microwave in 30-60 second intervals until heated through.
More Easy Appetizers
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Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese Dip
This quick and easy savory goat cheese dip bakes in just 20 minutes and has only 10 ingredients (including salt and pepper) making it the perfect “make ahead” dip for your next game day party or family get together!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 heads garlic
- 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
- 10 oz. goat cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes
- sliced French bread or crostini for dipping
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice the top off of each head of garlic. Drizzle the cut side of each head with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place cut side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 30 minutes or until the cloves of garlic are soft. Allow to cool until you can handle it.
- Turn oven to 350 degrees.
- Add goat cheese, Parmesan, milk, and thyme to a medium bowl.
- Squeeze cloves of roasted garlic into the bowl and stir to combine all ingredients together.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Lightly oil a small baking dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Then spread goat cheese mixture in an even layer in the baking dish.
- Top goat cheese with tomatoes, then drizzle tomatoes with remaining teaspoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until warmed through. Then broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the top.
- Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh thyme if desired.
- Serve warm with sliced French bread and crackers.
Notes
- Don’t skip the tomatoes. The tomatoes might seem like a garnish, but they truly are a vital part of this delicious dip. They add a delicious freshness and nice texture to the dish.
- Season, season, season. This dip is very simple. The ingredient list is short. Moderate amounts of salt and pepper will go a long way to boost the flavors of this dip. Don’t be afraid to use them!
- If you’re looking for a super creamy whipped goat cheese dip, add the goat cheese, Parmesan, milk, and herbs to a food processor and pulse until everything is well combined, smooth, and creamy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 0.7 g
- Sodium: 253.6 mg
- Fat: 10.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.4 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 9.8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
I made it tonight for my co-workers retirement party. It is delicious! Easy and a definite crowd pleaser! Thank you!
I am so glad to hear that your co-workers enjoyed this goat cheese dip. What a great way to celebrate retirement!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review – I really appreciate it 🙂
Wonderful taste. Easy to make
Doubled the recipe for Christmas Eve. It was festive looking and not a bite was left. Everyone asked for the recipe. Guests ranged in age from 22 to 89. Will definitely make again!
This dip was fabulous.
Looked just like picrure.
This dip will be awesome as a condiment for burgers.
I used a oat beverage in lieu of milk, as my Wife is lactose intolerant.
I used Fire Roasted tomatoes in lieu grape tomatoes, which I spread on top.
Is the Parmesan needed,? Could I sub the milk for a non dairy, I cannot have cows milk in my diet.
Thank you!
It’s totally up to you – the Parmesan will add some salty, nutty flavor, but I think it would taste great without it as well! A dairy free milk would work just fine in this dip to replace the regular milk as well. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out if you make it!
This is delicious. I have to admit, I took the lazy way out but it still was so good! I only had 2 – 4 oz logs of Honey flavored goat cheese – mixed it with shredded parm, milk and a heaping teaspoon of jarred garlic. I halved the cherry tomatoes and let them sit in olive oil, splash of balsamic vinegar, a dash of italian seasoning and more garlic. When ready to cook, I just piled the tomatoes on top of cheese mixture and baked for 20 minutes.
Couldnt have been easier – thanks for the inspiration.
I took it to a gathering, and everyone loved it! The only modification I made was using 1/3 c. grated parmesan instead of 1/2 c. shredded because that’s what I had on hand. The tomatoes were just a fresh, juicy addition to the cheese-heavy dip. Thanks for the great recipe!
I was thinking about using sun dried tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes. Do you think that would work with the recipe?
Yes! I would maybe wait to add them until the last few minutes of baking, just so they don’t burn. I think sun-dried tomatoes would taste great in this dish!
Will it be good without the parm? My friend can’t eat cow’s milk, that’s why I wanted a goat cheese recipe. Is there something I could use instead?
Yes! I think it would still taste great without the Parmesan. The Parmesan definitely adds some salty flavor, so you may want to add a bit more salt to compensate. Would love to hear how it turns out if you try it without Parm! Thanks Alicia!
This dip is perfect for a Super Bowl party or family get together!