The Best Homemade Roasted Garlic Recipe
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
This homemade roasted garlic recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves bold, savory flavors with minimal effort. It’s perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, and the results are always worth it. You’ll love how it fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma that screams comfort food. The cloves turn soft, sweet, and spreadable, making them ideal for adding to dips, spreads, or even pasta. Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile—use it in almost any dish to elevate the flavor!
Recipe
Roasted garlic is a versatile ingredient that adds a rich, sweet, and mellow flavor to a variety of dishes. It’s simple to make and requires minimal effort, making it a kitchen staple for both beginner and experienced cooks.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 whole heads of garlic
- 2-3 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Peel away the outer layers of the garlic bulb, leaving the cloves intact with their skins.
- Trim about 1/4 inch off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves.
- Place the garlic heads on a sheet of aluminum foil or in a small baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over the exposed cloves, ensuring they are well coated. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Wrap the garlic in the foil or cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool. Squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skins or use a small fork to extract them.
Notes:
Store roasted garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen for up to three months.
Equipment:
Aluminum foil or small baking dish, oven, knife, and cutting board.
Time:
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes
Cuisine:
Universal
Serving:
Makes 2-3 heads of roasted garlic (serving size varies based on recipe usage).
Nutrition
Roasted garlic is a flavorful and versatile ingredient that can add depth to many dishes. Below is the nutritional information for a typical serving of roasted garlic.
| Nutrition | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 42 |
| Total Fat | 0.1 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 1.8 g |
| Vitamin C | 8% DV |
| Calcium | 4% DV |
| Iron | 1% DV |
What To Serve With It
I love spreading roasted garlic on warm, crusty bread—it’s simple, but it feels fancy. For a heartier meal, I mix it into pasta with olive oil and Parmesan, and it’s always a hit. These quick pairings make roasted garlic a star in my kitchen.
Crusty Bread Options
When it comes to pairing homemade roasted garlic, you can’t go wrong with crusty bread—it’s like they were made for each other. I love tearing into warm bread rolls, their soft centers perfect for smearing with that creamy, caramelized garlic. Artisan loaves, with their crackling crust and chewy insides, are another favorite. The contrast of textures makes every bite exciting. Sometimes, I’ll toast slices for extra crunch, but honestly, fresh bread straight from the bakery works just as well. Whether it’s a rustic baguette or a hearty sourdough, the combo never disappoints. Trust me, you’ll want seconds.
Pasta Pairings
Though roasted garlic might seem like a simple addition, it transforms pasta dishes into something truly special. I love swirling it into butter sauces, creating a rich, velvety base that clings perfectly to strands of fettuccine or linguine. A sprinkle of fresh herb garnishes, like parsley or basil, adds a burst of color and freshness. For a heartier option, I toss it with penne and roasted veggies, or mix it into a creamy alfredo for an extra layer of flavor. Even a simple spaghetti aglio e olio becomes unforgettable with roasted garlic’s sweet, caramelized notes. It’s a game-changer!
