Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to appetizers and stuffed garlic bread. Baking goat cheese in the oven is a popular way to prepare and serve this cheese, but does it melt? Some people claim that goat cheese does not melt, however, there are several recipes for baked goat cheese that result in a soft and gooey, or warm and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting | Goat cheese does not melt like other cheeses, but it does get warm and soft in the oven |
| Taste | Goat cheese is less salty than feta cheese but has a similar flavor profile |
| Texture | When baked, goat cheese becomes soft and gooey |
| Temperature | Bake at 190°C (Gas Mark 5 / 375°F) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown |
| Toppings | Chopped mushrooms, black olives, red onion, spring onions, toasted pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and nuts |
| Sides | Serve with crusty bread, crostini, garlic bread, or raw veggies for dipping |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese baked in tomato sauce
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese
- Tomato sauce (preferably fire-roasted crushed tomatoes)
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Spices (salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, paprika, cumin, cilantro, lemon zest)
- White wine vinegar
- Bread or crackers for serving
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent and slightly softened, about 3-6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add spices such as red pepper flakes, basil, oregano, and a pinch of sugar (optional) and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in white wine vinegar and sauté for another minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes and salt. You can also use diced tomatoes, but blend them first for a smoother sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the saucepan.
- Let the sauce cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, prepare the goat cheese. Slice or crumble the cheese into a separate broiler-safe dish. You can also flatten the cheese into a disk between two sheets of plastic wrap.
- Once the sauce is ready, transfer it to the dish with the goat cheese, placing the cheese in the center.
- Bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the goat cheese is warmed through and slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle chopped herbs such as basil, cilantro, or lemon zest over the dish.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or sturdy crackers on the side.
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding additional ingredients such as mushrooms, black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or toasted pine nuts. You can also adjust the spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes. Enjoy the creamy, tangy, and flavorful combination of goat cheese and tomato sauce!
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Baked goat cheese with nuts and herbs
Goat cheese has a reputation for not melting, but baking it in the oven can make it soft, gooey, and bubbly. This makes it perfect for dipping with crusty bread, crackers, or sliced baguette.
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese
- Cream cheese
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Other seasonings
- Nuts
Instructions:
- Whip the goat cheese with cream cheese, honey, garlic, and seasonings in a food processor.
- Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe baking dish.
- Drizzle honey over the mixture.
- Bake on the upper rack of the oven for 13 to 20 minutes at 350°F (180°C) or until the top is lightly golden.
- Let the baked goat cheese cool for at least five minutes before serving.
- Top with nuts and herbs.
- Drizzle with honey again, and serve as desired.
You can also try marinating the goat cheese in an herb-infused oil mixture before baking for added flavor. This recipe can be made ahead of time and served with a variety of dippers, such as bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
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Goat cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon
This delicious appetizer is a great combination of sweet, salty, and creamy. It is also easy to make and will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 12 pitted dates (preferably Medjool)
- 3 oz of goat cheese
- 6 large strips of bacon
- Honey
- Rosemary
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice the dates lengthwise, making sure not to cut all the way through.
- Remove the pit and stuff each date with 1-2 teaspoons of goat cheese, depending on the size of the date.
- Gently squeeze the dates to seal and wrap each date with half a slice of bacon. Secure it with a toothpick.
- Place the wrapped dates on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the dates from the oven and turn them on their sides using the toothpick. Bake for another 5-8 minutes until they are browned to your liking.
- In a small bowl, mix honey, rosemary, cayenne, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Drizzle the honey mixture over the dates and serve warm.
Tips:
- If you prefer a vegetarian option, skip the bacon and drizzle the stuffed dates with honey and sprinkle with sea salt.
- For a glaze, mix 1/4 cup of honey with 1 tablespoon of bourbon and brush the mixture on the dates when they come out of the oven.
- You can also add a drizzle of balsamic glaze or something sweet and spicy like hot honey.
- For some crunch and nuttiness, add a whole almond, walnut, or pecan to the dates when stuffing them with cheese.
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Goat cheese-stuffed chicken with roasted bell peppers
Goat cheese does not melt in the oven, but that does not mean you cannot use it in hot preparations. In fact, you can make a delicious goat cheese-stuffed chicken with roasted bell peppers.
To make this dish, you will need to start by roasting your bell peppers. Set your oven to "Broil" and place the peppers on a sheet tray on the top rack. Once the peppers have blistered on one side, rotate them and blister all four sides. After they are finished roasting, place the peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. This allows the residual heat to help sweat the peppers, making the skin much easier to remove.
While the peppers are sweating, butterfly your chicken breast and season both sides with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine goat cheese, pepperoncini, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also roll the goat cheese in Herbes de Provence or another herb blend of your choice. Make a slit in the side of the chicken breast on the thick side, being careful not to cut through to the other side. The slit should be as deep and as wide as possible. Stuff the goat cheese filling into the slit—about 2 tablespoons worth.
Once your peppers are peeled, lay one thick strip on one side of the chicken and top it with goat cheese. Close the chicken breast, and if it is overstuffed, you can truss the breast with butcher's twine to keep it from falling open during cooking. Sear the chicken for 3 minutes on each side until it is golden brown, and then finish in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes.
For a sauce, brown some minced garlic in olive oil and then deglaze with lemon juice. After the lemon juice has reduced by half, add heavy cream and reduce by half again. Season with white pepper and salt, to taste.
And there you have it—a delicious, goat cheese-stuffed chicken with roasted bell peppers!
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Baked goat cheese with toppings
Baked goat cheese is a simple, tasty dish that can be served as an appetizer or a dip. It can be made with as few as two or three ingredients, depending on the recipe. The basic recipe involves baking goat cheese in a dish and serving it with bread or vegetables for dipping. However, there are several ways to customize this dish with additional ingredients and toppings.
One popular variation is to bake the goat cheese in a marinara sauce, a traditional Italian tomato sauce often made with tomatoes, onions, olive oil, garlic, basil, and other herbs. This creates a warm, creamy, and tangy appetizer with a silky texture that pairs well with bread or crostini for dipping. To make this variation, combine marinara sauce and garlic in a baking dish, top with the goat cheese, and bake uncovered at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until the sauce begins to bubble and the cheese is hot, which typically takes about 25 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of baking, add sliced baguette drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt to the oven and toast until golden brown. If desired, garnish the cheese with basil, rosemary, or cherry tomatoes before serving.
Another option is to create a goat cheese dip with a food processor. Combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in the food processor and process until the mixture is lightly whipped. Transfer the dip to a small oven-safe baking dish, drizzle with additional honey, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Serve with raw vegetables, crusty bread, crackers, bagel chips, or pita chips for dipping.
There are several other ways to customize baked goat cheese with toppings. For example, you can sprinkle on chopped mushrooms, black olives, red onion, spring onions, toasted pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh herbs. You can also stuff dates with goat cheese, wrap them in bacon, and bake for a savory treat. Goat cheese can also be used to stuff chicken or zucchini, crumbled over a frittata, or spread on phyllo dough for a thin quiche.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, goat cheese melts in the oven. It can be baked in the oven with other ingredients like herbs, nuts, and sauces.
It takes about 20-25 minutes for goat cheese to melt in the oven at 375°F.
There are several recipes that involve melting goat cheese in the oven, including baked goat cheese with herbs and nuts, goat cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, and goat cheese dip with raw veggies and crackers.
