15 Things To Make With Goat Cheese So It Doesn’t Go To Waste

We’ve all bought the big log of goat cheese thinking we’ll finish it, then end up tossing half once it turns fuzzy in the back of the fridge. The solution is to cook with it before it has the chance to go bad. Goat cheese works in quick snacks, easy lunches and dinners. It brings a tangy creaminess that pairs with more flavors than people expect. These recipes give you plenty of ways to use it up without repeating the same meal twice.

Goat Cheese Grits

Creamy stone-ground grits are stirred with goat cheese until smooth, then topped with burst cherry tomatoes, cooked chicken and fresh basil. The cheese adds tang and richness, making the dish hearty enough for dinner while helping finish up leftover cheese.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Grits

Goat Cheese Tomato Sausage Tart

A crisp tart shell is layered with goat cheese, cooked sausage and fresh tomatoes before baking. The cheese melts into the crust, holding the filling together and giving each bite a tangy edge. It works as a light dinner or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Tomato Sausage Tart

Whipped Goat Cheese Dip

Goat cheese is blended with roasted garlic and rosemary until airy and smooth. Serve it with vegetables, crackers or crusty bread for an easy appetizer. It comes together fast and is a good way to turn leftover cheese into something versatile.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Goat Cheese Dip

Goat Cheese and Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Cooked sweet potatoes are mashed with goat cheese and chopped spinach for a side dish that’s creamy and flavorful. The cheese cuts through the sweetness of the potatoes, making them more balanced and giving you another way to use what’s in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese and Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Goat Cheese Stuffed Baby Eggplants

Small roasted eggplants are filled with goat cheese, then topped with honey, balsamic vinegar and fresh parsley. The result is a colorful appetizer with sweet, tangy and earthy flavors. It’s also a smart choice for using up the last of a goat cheese log.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Stuffed Baby Eggplants

Fig and Goat Cheese Tart

Layers of buttery puff pastry are spread with creamy goat cheese, then topped with sweet caramelized onions and slices of ripe figs. As the tart bakes, the edges puff up and turn crisp while the cheese softens into a rich base for the fruit. It works as an easy brunch centerpiece or a light lunch and gives you a way to use goat cheese that might be lingering in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Goat Cheese Tart

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

Plump dates are split open and stuffed with smooth goat cheese before being wrapped in salty strips of bacon. They go straight into the air fryer until the bacon crisps and the cheese turns warm and creamy. These bite-sized appetizers are easy to prep ahead, making them a go-to for parties and a quick way to work through leftover goat cheese.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

Summer Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Pizza

A homemade crust is grilled until crisp, then layered with caramelized leeks, fresh mozzarella, tangy goat cheese and slices of ripe summer peaches. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of fresh herbs finish the pizza, balancing sweet and savory flavors. It is an easy way to turn goat cheese into the star of a seasonal dinner.
Get the Recipe: Summer Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Pizza

Microwave Whole Beets

Fresh beets are microwaved until fork-tender in a fraction of the time it would take to roast them. Their natural sweetness pairs perfectly with a sprinkle of goat cheese and chopped dill, turning a simple side dish into something special. It is a quick solution when you need to use both beets and leftover cheese before they go bad.
Get the Recipe: Microwave Whole Beets

Goat Cheese Croquettes

Goat cheese is mixed with thyme, shaped into small rounds, coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until the exterior turns golden and crisp. Each bite gives you a crunchy shell with a creamy, tangy center. A drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of chopped nuts add extra texture and flavor, making them a hit at any gathering while putting that extra log of goat cheese to good use.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Croquettes

Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

Fresh spinach is tossed with sweet blueberries, tangy crumbles of goat cheese and toasted walnuts, then dressed in a maple balsamic vinaigrette. The creamy cheese balances the acidity of the dressing and the fruit’s sweetness. This salad comes together quickly and is a great way to work goat cheese into a light summer lunch.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

Goat Cheese Log with Hot Honey, Fig and Pistachios

A smooth goat cheese log is rolled in fig preserves, drizzled with hot honey and coated with crushed pistachios for a mix of creamy, sweet, spicy and crunchy in each bite. Serve it with crackers or slices of baguette for an easy appetizer that disappears fast. It’s also a quick fix for leftover cheese that needs a purpose.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Log with Hot Honey, Fig and Pistachios

Phyllo Dough Appetizers

Crisp phyllo cups are filled with a mixture of goat cheese, apples and bacon, giving you a salty-sweet bite in every piece. Because they use store-bought shells, they can be on the table in under 30 minutes. They’re perfect for using up smaller portions of goat cheese that wouldn’t be enough for a larger recipe.
Get the Recipe: Phyllo Dough Appetizers

Cranberry Baked Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is baked until soft, then topped with a layer of sweet cranberry sauce and served with toasted bread. The heat mellows the cheese’s tang and makes it spread easily. It’s a simple but crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer that also makes use of leftover cheese from a cheese board.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Baked Goat Cheese

Easy Crustless Zucchini Quiche with Goat Cheese

Sliced zucchini and diced red onion are baked in a mixture of eggs, cream and lemon-infused goat cheese until set and lightly browned on top. Without a crust, the texture stays creamy and tender while the cheese gives it a tangy finish. It’s a smart way to work extra goat cheese into breakfast or brunch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crustless Zucchini Quiche with Goat Cheese

Cranberry Goat Cheese Mini Dips

Goat cheese is combined with cranberries and chopped walnuts, then portioned into small glasses for individual servings. They’re ready in about ten minutes and can be made a day ahead. The combination of creamy, crunchy and sweet makes these a standout holiday snack that also helps you use up extra cheese quickly.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Goat Cheese Mini Dips

Vegetable and Goat Cheese Frittata

Eggs, seasonal vegetables and chunks of goat cheese cook together in an electric skillet, developing crisp edges and a light, fluffy center. The cheese melts into little pockets of tangy creaminess that make each slice more flavorful. It’s a quick, stovetop way to make breakfast or lunch while giving goat cheese another role beyond salads.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable and Goat Cheese Frittata

Goat Cheese Flatbread with Arugula and Blueberries

Naan bread is topped with goat cheese, fresh blueberries and peppery arugula, then drizzled with honey. The flatbread bakes until crisp, and each slice delivers a mix of creamy, sweet and fresh flavors. It’s an easy way to turn a small amount of leftover goat cheese into a shareable snack.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Flatbread with Arugula and Blueberries

Heirloom Tomato Galette with Honey and Goat Cheese

Slices of colorful heirloom tomatoes are layered over goat cheese on a buttery crust, then baked until the tomatoes soften and the edges turn crisp. A drizzle of honey before serving adds a light sweetness that plays well with the tang of the cheese. This rustic galette is an elegant way to showcase summer produce and use up cheese.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Galette with Honey and Goat Cheese

French Goat Cheese Salad

Crisp greens are topped with goat cheese croutons, which are small rounds of cheese coated in breadcrumbs and baked until the outside is golden. The result is a creamy interior with a crunchy shell that turns a simple salad into something special. It’s a great reason to keep goat cheese on hand and use it before it loses its freshness.
Get the Recipe: French Goat Cheese Salad

Lemon Herb Savory Cheesecake Appetizer

Goat cheese and cream cheese are blended with lemon and fresh herbs, then baked into a creamy savory cheesecake. It’s served chilled or at room temperature with crackers or bread. This appetizer works well for parties and is a smart way to transform leftover goat cheese into a centerpiece dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Herb Savory Cheesecake Appetizer

Arugula Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Strawberries

Baby spinach and arugula are combined with sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese and a cherry vinaigrette. The cheese’s tang balances the sweet fruit and crisp greens. It’s quick to make and adds another fresh option for working goat cheese into your menu.
Get the Recipe: Arugula Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Strawberries

Chicken Bryan

Grilled chicken breasts are topped with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and a basil lemon butter sauce for a flavorful main dish. The heat from the chicken softens the cheese so it spreads easily over each bite. It’s a restaurant-style dinner that makes goat cheese a centerpiece without much extra work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bryan

Strawberry Goat Cheese Pop Tarts

Puff pastry squares are filled with goat cheese and strawberry jam, then baked until golden and flaky. Fresh lemon thyme and a sprinkle of sea salt add extra flavor before serving. These make a fun breakfast or brunch treat and are a creative way to use goat cheese in something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Goat Cheese Pop Tarts

Venison Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese and Pickled Shallots

Thin slices of toasted sourdough are spread with whipped goat cheese, then topped with seared venison, balsamic glaze and quick-pickled shallots. Each bite brings creamy, tangy, savory and sharp flavors together. It’s a memorable appetizer and a clever way to use goat cheese beyond everyday recipes.
Get the Recipe: Venison Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese and Pickled Shallots