Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese Dip Recipe
This creamy and flavorful Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese Dip is a perfect appetizer for any gathering. Roasting garlic brings out its natural sweetness which blends beautifully with tangy goat cheese, Parmesan, and fresh thyme. Topped with juicy grape tomatoes and served warm with crusty bread or crostini, it’s a crowd-pleasing dip that’s easy to prepare and packed with savory goodness.
- Author: Anna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Roasted Garlic
- 2 heads garlic
- 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 10 oz. goat cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Topping and Serving
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes
- Sliced French bread or crostini for dipping
- Prepare and Roast Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic heads to expose the cloves. Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil over the cut sides and sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Place each head cut side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast Garlic: Roast the garlic in the oven for about 30 minutes until the cloves are soft and fragrant. Remove and let cool enough to handle.
- Preheat Oven for Baking: Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, shredded Parmesan, whole milk, and fresh thyme leaves. Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves from their skins directly into the bowl, then stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- Season Mixture: Taste and season the mixture with additional salt and cracked pepper according to your preference.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly oil a small baking dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Spread the goat cheese mixture evenly into the dish.
- Add Toppings: Scatter the grape tomatoes over the goat cheese mixture. Drizzle remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over the tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the dip for about 20 minutes until it is warmed through. Then broil for 1–2 minutes to achieve a golden brown, slightly bubbly top. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish the dip with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Serve warm alongside sliced French bread or crostini for dipping.
Notes
- Room temperature goat cheese blends more smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Broiling at the end enhances color and flavor but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Substitute goat cheese with cream cheese for a milder flavor if desired.
- Use fresh thyme for best flavor; dried thyme can alter the taste balance.
- Serve immediately for best texture, though leftovers can be reheated gently.
Keywords: Roasted garlic dip, goat cheese dip, appetizer recipe, party dip, baked cheese dip, creamy cheese dip