This Warm Goat Cheese Sun-dried Tomato Spread is the perfect appetizer for your next happy hour. What could be better than warm goat cheese on top of crunchy crostini with all sorts of delicious toppings?
Updated November 2022 with more detailed information including step-by-step process photos, ingredient notes, expert tips, etc.
This creamy and savory baked goat cheese spread is a MUST for this holiday season! It is loaded with flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, creamy goat cheese, and more. This Warm Goat Cheese Sun-dried Tomato Spread is great to whip up and serve as an appetizer at your holiday get together.
There so many textures and flavors and this recipe is only 7 ingredients! Making this recipe perfect for sharing with friends and family. And, who doesn't love goat cheese? It's creamy and tangy and it pairs perfectly with the intense sweet-tartness of the sun-dried tomatoes, the roasted garlic gives a richness while the capers are lemony, briny, and salty. The basil gives freshness, while the grilled bread is the perfect vessel to add crunch to the dish.
If you're looking for more holiday appetizers check out my Ornament Pesto Sun-dried Tomato Cheese Balls and Whipped Goat Cheese with Lime and Pomegranate.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Super Flavorful - Roasted garlic, baked goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and basil combine so nicely in this recipe.
Limited Prep - They're only 10 minutes of prep and then it's all baking!
Festive and Colorful! - This dish is full of color! The red, white and green makes this appetizer perfect for the holidays.
Only 7 Ingredients! - so much flavor from so few ingredients. It's technically 10 if you want to include the seasoning.
Ingredient Notes
Capers - use nonpareil capers.
Goat Cheese - I used a plain goat cheese. You could also use a garlic and herb goat cheese. Found in the artisan cheese section at the grocery store.
Garlic - use a whole fresh bulb or look for pre-peeled if you don't want to deal with the time of having to hand peel. I used 1 whole bulb but you can use 2 if you really love roasted garlic.
Sun-dried Tomatoes - Use the in-oil kind. If they are whole of halved, you'll want to slice them julienne style! Or buy, julienne-style.
Grilled Bread - Grab a baguette and grill the bread while the spread is in the oven. You could also use crostini instead too.
Olive Oil - Use a high quality olive oil. It will provide the best flavor!! You'll use a small amount to cook/bake and the rest will be used to finish the dish.
Basil - Use fresh!
Seasonings - Use salt, pepper and even chili flake to taste!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400°F. While the oven is pre-heating peel 1 head of garlic and slice sun-dried tomatoes (if needed). In a 9x9 baking dish, add in garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss and bake for 10 minutes.
- Lower the heat to 350°F. Add sun-dried tomatoes, mix and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Next, add in capers, mix and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Add in ½ the basil and mix. Then, create a well and add sliced goat cheese, slightly overlapping the disks. Bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove dish from the oven, add in ¼ cup of olive oil. Season with ground pepper, sea salt and chili flakes. Enjoy with grilled bread or crostini.
Recipe FAQ
Freeze goat cheese for about 15 minutes and use non-flavored floss to wrap around the log and slice! It really works!
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warm.
You can serve this spread with crackers, I also like this with roasted vegetable like zucchini, squash and asparagus.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page? I always appreciate feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Warm Goat Cheese Sun-dried Tomato Spread
Ingredients
- 1 bulb garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 10 ounces sun-dried tomato in oil discard oil*
- ⅓ cup basil chiffonade
- 3 tablespoons capers
- 10 ounces goat cheese
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 baguette sliced and grilled (or bake into crostini)**
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400°F. While the oven is pre-heating peel 1 head of garlic and slice sun-dried tomatoes (if needed). In a 9x9 baking dish, add in garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss and bake for 10 minutes.
- Lower the heat to 350°F. Add sun-dried tomatoes, mix and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Next, add in capers, mix and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Add in ½ the basil and mix. Then, create a well and add sliced goat cheese, slightly overlapping the disks. Bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove dish from the oven, add in ¼ cup of olive oil. Season with ground pepper, sea salt and chili flakes. Enjoy with grilled bread or crostini.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!