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    Home > Appetizers and Beverages > Baked 3 Cheese Appetizer with Pesto in Marinara Sauce

    Baked 3 Cheese Appetizer with Pesto in Marinara Sauce

    Published: Aug 23, 2016 · Modified: Apr 19, 2023 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Three cheese bake with marinara sauce served with a sliced baguette. Using Mezzetta marinara makes this an easy and crowd pleasing Italian appetizer.

    A hearty appetizer that will feed a crowd. Baked 3 cheese appetizer with pesto in Marinara Sauce is easy to make. A cream cheese appetizer that will win your heart.

    Three cheese bake with marinara sauce served with a sliced baguette. Using Mezzetta marinara makes this an easy and crowd pleasing Italian appetizer.

    Starting with football season and rounding that corner into the Holidays, we find ourselves on appetizer overload. Small bites, dips, chips, spreads and cheeses. We’re officially in hand held snacking mode.

    This past week I had the opportunity to partner with Mezzetta Marinara Sauces. Have you tried them? If not, put them on your list for you next trip to the grocery store. They offer so many unique flavor combos.

    Cheese dips and spreads seem to be the king of appetizer table so pairing Mezzetta Plum Tomato Marinara with some baked cheese and a baguette came together for this Italian appetizer recipe.

    Cream cheese is just one in a lineup of this baked cheese appetizer with Marinara sauce.

    This three cheese blend is baked in marinara, topped with basil pesto and is heavenly served with a sliced baguette or crackers.

    The creamy cheese combo consists of peppered goat cheese, cream cheese and herbed cheese…a masterpiece once all ingredients are combined.

    The list of ingredients in this Italian Plum Tomato Marinara sauce is very simple: tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt, garlic, pepper, spices and basil. That’s it! You’ve got to love an ingredient list where you can pronounce all the words. And if you’ve been looking for a sugar-free marinara sauce, your search is over.

    Baked three cheese Italian appetizer recipe. Baked with marinara sauce and topped with pesto.

    This steamy baked ball of cheesy cheesy goodness is ready to top with some Basil Pesto Sauce.

    Italian Appetizer recipe with marinara, and three cheeses. Baked bubbly serve with a sliced baguette.

    Slice some bread and dig in.

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    And if you’re looking for even more appetizer recipes, don’t miss my Appetizer Category. You’ll find lots of great finger food recipes including the most popular on my site for Shrimp Cocktail, Mexican Style.

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. And write a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback.

    Baked three cheese Italian appetizer recipe. Baked with marinara sauce and topped with pesto.

    Three Cheese Appetizer with Pesto in Marinara

    A hearty appetizer that will feed a crowd. Baked 3 cheese appetizer with pesto in Marinara Sauce is easy to make.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer Recipes
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 160kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
    • 4 ounces peppered goat cheese room temperature
    • 5.2 ounce package of Boursin garlic and herb cheese room temperature
    • 16 ounces Marinara sauce
    • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1/4 cup pesto
    • sliced baguette for serving
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl combine the cheeses and mix well until combined. In an oven proof baking dish, pour the bottle of Mezzetta marinara in the bottom. For the cheese into a ball and place in the sauce. Sprinkle with the crushed red pepper flakes and bake for 20 minutes.
    • Remove from oven, top with the basil pesto sauce and serve with sliced bread or crackers.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 589IU | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Claudia Lamascolo says

      August 26, 2016 at 5:37 am

      I really cant wait to try this wow!

      Reply
    2. Kirsten says

      August 24, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      Wow that looks so good! This would really go great at get-togethers and even as a starter for dinner!

      http://www.thewanderingbrunette.com/2016/08/spicy-sausage-pasta-recipe.html

      Reply
    3. John/Kitchen Riffs says

      August 24, 2016 at 8:30 am

      What a great looking dish! Cheese and marinara is a wonderful combo. Haven’t heard of Mezzetta, but I should check them out — sounds like a good product. Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Abbe@This is How I Cook says

      August 23, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Nothing wrong with this! Tomatoes and cheese rock my boat. And Italy-well, a girl can dream! About this dip, too!

      Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, Welcome to my Colorado kitchen. I'm a Culinary School Grad with a passion to inspire you to cook as often as you can. Here you'll find Wild West Colorado inspired recipes along some Southwestern and Mexican food favorites. I also share some special recipes from school along pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

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