Savory Baked Brie

Everybody loves melted cheese, and this Savory Baked Brie recipe takes it to the next level. Baked brie is topped with basil pesto and roasted garlic.

It’s totally unplanned, but apparently I post a new baked brie recipe every other December on this blog! In 2015, it was my holiday baked brie recipe with mushrooms, pomegranate seeds, and honey. In 2017, it was my baked brie with grapefruit & pistachios.

Since it’s December 2019, it looks like I owe you a new version of baked brie to go along with the rest of your New Year’s Eve finger foods, like individual charcuterie cups and my smoked salmon platter.

Savory Baked Brie is perfect for entertaining!

Most baked brie recipes (my own included) have a sweet element like jam, fruit like roasted grapes, or honey (even on my Halloween themed charcuterie board, where I pair it with “bloody” jam, and my Easter charcuterie board where I pair it with orange fig preserves). This is because sweet elements really do pair quite nicely with creamy, buttery brie cheese.

However, I think that brie can just as easily go completely savory. This Savory Baked Brie recipe with basil pesto and roasted garlic cloves demonstrates that baked brie doesn’t HAVE to be sweet to be delicious.

The bright herby notes from the pesto pair beautifully with the earthiness of the cheese. Just like with salmon pesto pasta, you can use store-bought or homemade basil pesto here.

I love brie so much because it’s so rich and smooth, and melts like a dream. This savory baked brie has been a hit at every party I’ve served it at (I love it on a breakfast charcuterie board with bacon in the oven, too).

What does brie taste like?

If you’ve never tried brie cheese, you really should! Tasting it yourself is the best way to know whether you like it. If you want to sample without commitment, most upscale grocery stores with a cheese counter will let you try a piece for free.

Brie is very soft at room temperature, and it is encased in a white, edible rind. Many people think that the flavor and aroma of brie is reminiscent of fresh mushrooms. I certainly agree that it has an earthy, grassy taste. There’s just nothing else like it!

While brie might not be the right choice for something like a football charcuterie board, it’s perfect for a special occasion like a holiday, especially if you’re serving wine!

How to serve Savory Baked Brie on a cheese board:

Generally, baked brie is served quite simply, with just toasted bread or crackers for eating with the cheese (and possibly a rosemary gin cocktail or grapefruit vodka cocktail with rosemary in the other hand).

I decided to turn my Savory Baked Brie recipe into a mini cheese and charcuterie board by adding prosciutto, salami, cashews and roasted pecans, along with crostini and crackers.

Get even more ideas from my charcuterie ideas post!