Warm melty goat cheese topped with sweet and tart cranberry sauce. The perfect easy, flavorful and impressive way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers.
It’s officially my favorite week of the year. I’ve made no secret that Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday, but I am equally in love with the entire weekend that follows. A four day weekend, getting out my menorah, putting up the Christmas tree (I am an equal opportunity celebrator), decorating the house, plenty of shopping for presents, and of course, eating delicious Thanksgiving leftovers all weekend long.
I love making the usual turkey sandwich, or doing crazy things with leftover stuffing and mashed potatoes, but especially when we have people in from out of town who are going to be hanging around, I like to do something unique, and something that seems a bit more thought out than the usual leftovers fare. Basically, I want to impress people (story of my life–such a people pleaser!), but I’m exhausted from cooking for 3 days straight to prepare for the big day, so I want to do it without actually having to do any work. Good thing I’m creative. 😉
For our latest episode of Drink & Dish, Nicole and I show you what to do with some of those Thanksgiving leftovers. We both ended up using cranberry sauce, so make a little extra this year so that you can make Nicole’s awesome Poinsettia Blossom to go with this goat cheese!
This dish could also be served as a Thanksgiving appetizer–in fact, Steve loved it so much that he requested I make it on Thanksgiving day.
It may seem like a strange combination, but the tangy goat cheese really is the perfect pairing for the sweet cranberry sauce–it’s like a match made in heaven! Together, they are baked just enough for the goat cheese to get soft, but not completely melted–just the right consistency to easily dip your cracker into, but solid enough to hold its form.
Warm melty goat cheese topped with sweet and tart cranberry sauce. The perfect easy, flavorful and impressive way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 x 4oz log herb goat cheese
- Approx 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- Crackers, chips, or bread for serving (I used gluten-free bagel chips)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325. Place goat cheese on a heat-safe dish. A rimmed plate (as seen in the photos) works best so that cranberry sauce can spill over goat cheese while staying contained on the plate. Spoon cranberry sauce over goat cheese. You may use more or less--whatever ratio you like, and depending on how much you have leftover.
- Bake until softened, but not melted, about 7-10 minutes. Serve immediately with crackers, chips or bread of your choosing. Best eaten the same day, but leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container and reheated for up to 5 days.
Notes
If using a jellied cranberry sauce, whisk it up first to make it easier to pour onto the goat cheese.
Psssst…still figuring out your Thanksgiving menu? This infographic is amaaaazing–a must see for anyone who loves cooking, entertaining or Thanksgiving!
Katy says
Warm goat cheese is a super dangerous thing for me. I end up doing the, “just a little more” thing wayyy too many times! I haven’t had a plate like this in a while and I love the cranberry sauce on top. Perfectly festive for Thanksgiving and Christmas! (Lol @ “equal opportunity celebrator”)
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
I’m totally intrigued by this. I love warm goat cheese and what a great way to make use of that extra cranberry sauce!
Ari says
A couple years ago a friend needed a last minute appetizer, and an other friend suggested he put marinara sauce over a log of goat cheese and bake it for a few minutes. I took a taste and was instantly hooked, and I’ve always wanted to do a play on it! Plus I LOVE cranberry sauce with goat cheese and/or cream cheese, brie cheese…pretty much any cheese. 😉
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
I do this with some of those fancy bottled sauces but never thought of using my fresh cranberry sauce! Goat cheese is one of my favorites and I adore my cranberry sauce but in the end there is always a lot leftover- awesome idea!
Ari says
Goat cheese is so versatile in flavor (and delicious) that I’m sure it’s delicious with practically any sauce on top! I was surprised at just how addicting it was with the cranberry sauce though–I eventually had to toss it because my husband and I could not stop going back for more!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I wasn’t planning on making cranberry sauce for T-Day but I just might so I can make this. You had me at goat cheese!
Ari says
You’re totally speaking my language. Seriously, when I go out to eat the first thing I do is scan the menu for goat cheese!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I really think goat cheese and cranberry were made to go together. I am making a quart of cranberry sauce this year. And we just got some Vermont goat cheese in our locavore share from our CSA this past week… SO looks like I will certainly have to make this!
Ari says
OMG I want to more to Vermont and eat local cheese with you all day long. I’m so jealous of all the great local food you have over there!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I love how simple this is! You can’t beat a 2 ingredient dish … with goat cheese. 🙂
Ari says
Right??? I feel like if everything I made could be this easy, I could even give up Chipotle! And for me, that’s saying a LOT! 🙂
Jennifer F says
Ohh yea! I knew I should have bought another bag of cranberries at the store last night. Okay, if you have leftovers of this (which you probably won’t) use it as a sweet-gooey cheesey filling for a turkey quesadilla — omg!
Ari says
Jennifer you are totally in my head!! One thing I really wanted to make and post before, well now, is a cranberry goat cheese quesadilla. In fact (confession), I almost talked about doing that in my post, but I spelled it quesedilla and I looked at it and thought “HOW IS THAT WRONG???” then felt embarrassed and deleted it. Hahahaha, I am the worst speller, and I can’t believe I just admitted that story. :oX
Linz @ Itz Linz says
YUM YUM YUM!! i’m making goat cheese and cranberry stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer for thanksgiving! can’t go wrong with that combo!!
Ari says
Whaaaaaat???? THAT is a recipe I need! 🙂
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
This looks SO good! I love love goat cheese and making it this way, all warm and gooey with cranberry? Sounds too perfect.
Ari says
Dang, you’re even making me crave it again! Thanks Tina!
ashley - baker by nature says
I love how simple yet decadent this is!!!
Ari says
Thanks Ashley!!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman says
This looks great!!! Yummy!
I hope you guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Ari says
You too friend!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Goat cheese and cranberry – sooooo good!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
It’s funny because the day after Thanksgiving used to be “eat what’s leftover straight from the fridge” day. But it seems like lately we’re getting creative with the leftovers so now it’s a battle of “which meals rules…day of or day after?” I love goat cheese and it’s amazing with cranberries!
Have a lovely time with your friends and family! Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
Ari says
Haha you’re totally right! I still love day of the best, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to really enjoy the leftovers! You too, Tina!!
Serena says
I’m not a big leftovers person…but this looks amazing! And I know what you mean about being tired out from cooking for 3 days. (It’s already begun.) But of course it’s FUN! But when it’s all over, I think I’ll just serve this for dinner and call it good!
Ari says
Exactly!! I love cooking, but I also love to be able to take it easy for a while after a big event. 🙂