One of the most rewarding parts of cooking is seeing raw ingredients transform. It’s hard to find one whose transformation is more spectacular than roasted garlic (it’s even more wondrous Oven Roasted Vegetables!). I do not mean to belittle raw garlic or sautéed garlic. In any form, garlic is an essential aromatic for everything from Garlic Shrimp Pasta, to soups and stir fries, to Feta Dip, and well beyond. Roasted garlic is its own supreme being.
Whereas raw garlic tastes strong and pungent, roasted garlic tastes sweet and mild.
Slow roasted garlic gives you the essential flavor of garlic, in a caramelized, spreadable form.
In the oven, the individual cloves soften and sweeten into a magnificent substance that one of my friends once compared to “happy unicorn tears.”The prep takes minutes. You don’t even need to separate or peel the cloves.
Make this roasted garlic in big batches, squeeze the nectar from the roasted garlic cloves, then use it to your fancy.
Smear on toast for the best-ever roasted garlic bread.Mix into an Egg White Frittata to take your lunch to the next level.Stir together with Pasta al Limone and take a trip to Italy.
AND SO MUCH MORE. Read on for how to prepare sweet roasted garlic and tasty, creative ways to use roasted garlic.
How to Make Roasted Garlic Recipe
Roasting whole heads of garlic in foil is virtually hands-free and the easiest way to make roasted garlic in the oven. If you prefer not to roast garlic in foil, you can create parchment paper packets. Or, see this Garlic Pasta for how to make quick roasted garlic cloves.
The Ingredients
Garlic. Roasted garlic is pure magic! A simple head of garlic turns into a caramelized masterpiece that can be used in so many ways. Plus, garlic is low in calories and packed with vitamins.Olive Oil. Helps make sure the garlic doesn’t burn and adds flavor. A few teaspoons of olive oil goes a long way!Salt + Pepper. Simple, neutral seasonings that allow you to use your roasted garlic in any way you choose.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate leftover garlic in an airtight storage container for up to 1 weeks. See “Meal Prep Tip” below for longer storage. To Freeze. Place garlic cloves on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 1 month. Or, squeeze out the garlic cloves and combine to create a paste that you can freeze. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Ways to Use Roasted Garlic
Bread. Simply spread the garlic onto a piece of Rosemary Olive Oil Bread, or bake the toast for a few minutes with butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for garlic cheesy bread. Pasta. Elevate your favorite pasta dishes with roasted garlic. It would be tasty with this Cauliflower Pasta, Salmon Pasta, or Avocado Pasta. Pizza. Nothing makes a pizza taste more special than roasted garlic. Try it on this Burrata Pizza or use this Whole Wheat Pizza Dough to create your own homemade pizza. Potatoes. Mix the garlic into a bowl of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Crockpot Mashed Potatoes for an instant crowd-pleaser. Dips and Sauces. Combine mashed garlic with mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt for a delicious garlic aioli that would pair well with Zucchini Fries, Baked French Fries, or Air Fryer French Fries. Use it to make hummus!Burger. Mix the garlic into the ground meat while prepping your favorite burgers (like these Italian Turkey Burgers).
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Sharp Chef’s Knife. A must-have kitchen tool. Small Glass Jars. Refrigerate your garlic in oil using these cute little jars. Parchment Paper. You can use parchment paper or aluminum foil to bake your garlic.
Pop a pan of roasted garlic into the oven this week. Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. I can smell the deliciousness from here!
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