Easy and Fragrant Oven Roasted Garlic

Oven Roasted Garlic – Have you ever experimented with roasting garlic in the oven? Once it starts to cook, your kitchen fills up with an amazing savory fragrance. Honestly, that aroma alone is a fantastic reason to roast garlic at home.

However, the true delight of roasted garlic lies in its taste. In contrast to raw garlic, roasted garlic becomes wonderfully mellow and sweet, offering a rich nuttiness. It transforms into a soft, spreadable consistency, making it perfect for various dishes. You can mix it into soups or sauces, blend it into mashed potatoes, or spread it on crusty bread. No matter what you’re preparing, incorporating roasted garlic enhances flavor and adds depth.

Making it is incredibly easy; just follow these steps.

Ingredients for Oven Roasted Garlic

3-4 heads of garlic
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Sea salt

How to Make Oven Roasted Garlic

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Trim off the top ¼ inch of the garlic heads.

Place the garlic cut side up on a sheet of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle a bit of salt. Then cover the heads with the foil.

Wrap the garlic in the foil and roast it for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the cloves are golden brown and tender.

TIP: To keep the wrapped garlic heads steady, place them in a small baking dish or ramekin.

Ways to use Roasted Garlic Cloves

Roasted garlic is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can elevate many dishes. Here are some great ways to use it:

1. Spread on Bread

• Simply mash oven roasted garlic and spread it on warm, toasted bread or baguette slices for a quick appetizer. You can also combine it with butter or olive oil for an extra layer of richness.

2. Make Garlic Butter

• Combine mashed roasted garlic with softened butter, salt, and a bit of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. This is perfect for spreading on rolls, mixing into pasta, or melting over grilled steak.

3. In Pasta Dishes

• Add roasted garlic to pasta sauces like Alfredo, marinara, or even a simple olive oil and herb sauce. It enhances the flavor with a sweet, mellow garlic taste.

4. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

• Mash oven roasted garlic into potatoes for a creamy, rich, and savory twist on classic mashed potatoes. It pairs wonderfully with roasted meats.

5. As a Pizza Topping

• Spread roasted garlic on pizza dough before adding other toppings. It adds a subtle depth of flavor that works great with mushrooms, spinach, and cheese.

6. In Salad Dressings

• Incorporate roasted garlic into homemade vinaigrettes or creamy dressings. Blend it with olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, or mayonnaise to make a smooth and flavorful dressing.

7. In Soups & Stews

• Stir roasted garlic into soups, stews, and broths for a mellow, sweet garlic flavor. It pairs particularly well with tomato-based soups, chicken soup, or vegetable stew.

8. Garlic Aioli

• Blend roasted garlic with mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to create a delicious garlic aioli. Use as a dipping sauce for fries, roasted vegetables, or sandwiches.

9. In Dips

• Mash roasted garlic into hummus, guacamole, or creamy dips like tzatziki or sour cream-based dips. It adds a delicious layer of complexity.

10. In Roasted Vegetables

• Add roasted garlic to your roasted vegetables. You can toss it with potatoes, carrots, or Brussels sprouts before roasting them for an aromatic touch.

11. In Meat Marinades

• Add oven roasted garlic to your meat marinades to tenderize and flavor the meat. It works well with chicken, beef, lamb, or pork.

12. Stir into Grains

• Stir roasted garlic into rice, quinoa, couscous, or farro for a garlicky depth of flavor. It’s a great addition to grain-based salads too.

13. In Omelets or Scrambled Eggs

• Incorporate roasted garlic into your eggs for a savory breakfast. It pairs especially well with spinach, cheese, or mushrooms.

You may like this recipe for Garlic and Oil Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes too!