How To Roast Garlic + Roasted Garlic Grilled Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Recipe Roasted Garlic Grilled Cheese Ingredients Instructions Nutrition Reader Interactions Comments Something to say? Leave a comment. FAQs References

Published: Nov 6, 2012 · by Nicole · Updated: Aug 2, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Confession: I was in my early 20s before I knew what garlic was. I don't think my family ever cooked with garlic, unless it was garlic powder. We did, however, eat a fair amount of garlic bread. And you know how garlic bread has little bits of parsley on it?

I thought that was garlic. For years I thought that was garlic. I mean, it was called garlic bread, right? Not parsley bread! So I figured garlic was some kind of green herb.

Once I started cooking for myself and making recipes I found elsewhere, I discovered that garlic was not an herb at all. And I also discovered that I loved garlic. Loved it! And when it's roasted, it's like WHOA. The flavor mellows out and it becomes almost buttery. If you don't make roasted garlic, you should. Because: WHOA.

Here's how to roast garlic:

Start by peeling the papery outer layers from a large head of garlic. You should be able to see the individual cloves, but leave the skin on those.

Now cut the top off. You'll want each clove to be exposed, so how much you cut off depends on the size of the garlic head. Usually it's about ¼-1/2 inch.

Place the garlic head in a ramekin and drizzle it with oil.

Then season the garlic with salt and pepper. I like a lot of pepper on mine.

Cover the ramekin with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. This also depends on the size of the garlic head--larger cloves of garlic will take longer to roast.

The garlic is done when it can be easily pierced with a fork and the cloves are golden brown.

(PS: Your kitchen will smell amazing.)

Squeeze the individual garlic cloves out of the peel. Some cloves might need a little help; use a paring knife to cut the skin off of those.

Roasted garlic can be used in many different, delicious ways. Mashed potatoes! Pasta! Tossed with veggies! But my favorite way to use it is on bread. It makes a mean garlic bread (real, actual garlic bread!) and it's also a fantastic sandwich spread, like in the Roasted Garlic Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe below.

Recipe

Roasted Garlic Grilled Cheese

Roasted garlic makes a great spread for sandwiches!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: Grilled Cheese recipe, Roasted Garlic Grilled Cheese

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 485kcal

Author: Oh My Veggies

Ingredients

1 medium head garlic roasted according to instructions above
salt + freshly cracked black pepper to taste
about 1 tablespoon butter softened
4 slices crusty bread
2 slices or ½ cup shredded cheese just about any cheese will work!

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat panini press to high heat or a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
Mash roasted garlic cloves with the back of a fork. Season with salt and a liberal amount of black pepper, to taste.
Butter one side of two slices bread. Place on panini press or griddle. Top each with ¼ cup of cheese. Spread bottom of remaining bread slices with roasted garlic; press onto cheese. Butter the top of each sandwich. Heat about 5 minutes on panini press, until browned. If using a skillet or griddle, heat about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 22gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 831mgPotassium: 197mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 281IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 261mgIron: 5mg

Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Diane (createdbydiane) says
November 07, 2012 at 11:48 am

Oh I just LOVE roasted garlic!
Reply
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
November 07, 2012 at 3:14 pm

Yum! I seriously need to do this more often as there is nothing like the taste of roasted garlic.
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 08, 2012 at 5:52 pm
  
  And you can put it on everything! EVERYTHING!
  Reply
Natalie says
November 07, 2012 at 10:05 pm

It's amazing how different roasted garlic tastes than raw, it's like two completely different things! I've never thought to use a ramekin (I just wrap it up in a foil package but do everything else the same), I wonder if it's better that way - might have to test soon!
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 08, 2012 at 5:44 pm
  
  I used to do it that way and sometimes the foil would get stuck, so I started doing it this way instead. But I bet it doesn't make much of a difference flavor-wise!
  Reply
Shirley says
November 08, 2012 at 1:42 am

You're kidding!! Then again I didn't know what most vegetables were when I was a kid. Which was embarrassingly apparent in my first job as a teen supermarket cashier who had trouble ringing up produce because I couldn't identify the veggies. Some people were so impatiently annoyed. Roasted garlic also freezes very well, if you ever want to roast several heads at once.
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 08, 2012 at 5:40 pm
  
  Oh, that happens to me all the time at the grocery store! I don't get annoyed because I assume it's my fault for buying the freaky weird stuff that the cashiers never see. Thanks for the tip on freezing!
  Reply
Lena says
November 08, 2012 at 5:55 am

I love garlic. And I adore roasted garlic. (Anything else would be unthinkable, I mean, I decided to name my blog Mrs. Garlic Head for a reason, right?
And a grilled cheese sandwich with roasted garlic sounds like a dream come true. I'd love one for lunch today.
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 08, 2012 at 5:37 pm
  
  Well, given the name of your blog, you really need to give this sandwich a try! 😀
  Reply
  See Also
  Three Potato Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven
Stephanie @ henry happened says
November 08, 2012 at 8:10 pm

oh, so that's what garlic is! haha. I grew up thinking garlic came diced in those glass containers you keep in the fridge. I definitely need to try this - love me some garlic bread (even the stuff with parsley!)
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 09, 2012 at 5:34 pm
  
  Ha! You know, I have heard from a few people saying that they only use that jarred garlic in their cooking--I have never tried it! And I'm not against conveniences like that, I guess it just never occurred to me.
  Reply
Jennifer H says
November 10, 2012 at 8:43 am

mmm mmm mmm! Looks so good.
Reply
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
November 10, 2012 at 1:11 pm

This. Sounds. Wonderful! Why have I not thought of this before?
Reply
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
November 11, 2012 at 10:14 pm

I know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow! I've never roasted garlic before, only browned it. I've always been lazy about preparing garlic and buy the garlic in a jar but this looks way more flavorful!
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 12, 2012 at 1:21 pm
  
  If you're going to buy fresh garlic, this is probably one of the easier things to do with it. No mincing required!
  Reply
Ouida Lampert says
November 13, 2012 at 2:04 pm

I love roasted garlic - and I roast a LOT at once and freeze it. We use it in salad dressing (it's our "house" dressing).
Reply
- Kiersten says
  November 14, 2012 at 2:24 pm
  
  I've never thought to use it in salad dressing, but that sounds so good! I'm gonna have to do that...
  Reply
Melissa B. { hungryfoodlove } says
December 06, 2012 at 7:53 pm

Congratulations on being featured on DailyBuzz Food Top 9 for this recipe. I was featured too with my Roasted Garlic Spread. Your pictures are lovely!
Reply
- Kiersten says
  December 08, 2012 at 2:11 pm
  
  Thank you--and congratulations to you too! 😀
  Reply
Rituparna says
December 07, 2012 at 3:49 am

Just the thought of all that delicious flavours that will get released after roasting makes my mouth water. Garlic is an essence ingredient in all kinds of Indian cook, but roasted garlic sound delicious! Love the idea.
Reply
- Kiersten says
  December 08, 2012 at 2:02 pm
  
  Its really great roasted--the flavor is completely different and the texture is almost buttery!
  Reply
Lynn Terstegge says
March 17, 2013 at 2:00 am

How to peel garlic...fast:
Separate bulbs into cloves. Place cloves in a large stainless bowl (or plastic might work). Take same sized bowl and invert over the bowl containing garlic cloves making a large hollow chamber. Hold bowls together tightly and shake the dickens out of it. It will be loud, if metal, but only takes 10 seconds or so (I've never actually timed it). Open bowls and pick out 'peeled' cloves. Repeat process if there are still unpeeled cloves.
Really! This works. I can process several bulbs in just a few minutes.
Reply
- Kiersten says
  March 18, 2013 at 2:41 pm
  
  Thanks for the tip! Since the garlic is roasted first here, I'm not sure if that would work the same way, but I will definitely try it the next time I need fresh garlic for a recipe. 🙂
  Reply
  - Lynn Terstegge says
    March 18, 2013 at 3:28 pm
    
    It won't work once roasted. Separate before roasting and there is no waste or mushy hassle.
    Reply
Courtney says
April 25, 2014 at 9:53 am

I love this recipe! My husband and I will be making it this week! Thank you for the inspiration. I absolutely adore your site! So glad I stumbled upon it 🙂
Reply
- Kiersten Frase says
  April 27, 2014 at 9:07 pm
  
  Thank you! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the recipe!
  Reply
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
January 05, 2018 at 11:55 am

I finally got to make this roasted garlic grilled cheese this past weekend and it was such a hit!! I'm also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it. Thanks for sharing, Kiersten!
Reply
- Katie Trant says
  January 17, 2018 at 8:26 am
  
  Glad you enjoyed this as much as we do!
  Reply

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How To Roast Garlic + Roasted Garlic Grilled Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does roasting garlic make it taste better? ›

😅 The flavor of roasted garlic is much more mellow and deep than fresh garlic, and it has a beautiful sweetness from the natural sugars that caramelize during the roasting process.

Learn More ›

What is the difference between toasting and grilling? ›

Q1. What's the main difference between the grill and toast functions in an OTG oven? The grill function primarily heats from the top for grilling and browning, while the toast function evenly heats from both the top and bottom elements.

What cheese pairs well with garlic? ›

Lite50 Sharp Cheddar's creamy texture and buttery mouthfeel is a perfect match for the strong, pungent flavors of garlic. Try roasted garlic for a more delicate, nutty flavor. Spread roasted garlic on a freshly sliced baguette, top with Lite50 Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and melt until good and gooey.

Keep Reading ›

What is the best bread for grilled cheese? ›

For the ideal grilled cheese, look for bread with a soft-but-hearty texture with even slices of medium thickness (about 1/4 inch). Hearty sandwich bread, sourdough, brioche, and rye all work very well. Avoid rolls and loaves with large holes in the interior.

Learn More ›

Why does my roasted garlic taste bitter? ›

Check the garlic periodically ... it's done when the cloves are soft enough to be pierced easily with a fork and have turned golden brown. Make sure they don't get overly browned or the garlic will have developed a bitter taste.

See Details ›

Is roasted garlic as effective as raw garlic? ›

Heating up garlic or putting it in a recipe can change garlic's pH balance. The enzymes from the allicin need a few minutes to start working, so let it sit after you mince, crush or chop it. “You'll get the most benefit from raw garlic,” says Jeffers.

Read On ›

Do you toast both sides of grilled cheese? ›

Grilled Cheese Tips and Tricks

Griddle the bread on both sides. That's right. Cook two slices of bread in butter, flip 'em over so that the browned sides are facing up, add your cheese, and close your sandwich so that the cheese is sandwiched between the browned surfaces.

Learn More ›

Which is better grilling or roasting? ›

As grilling uses high temperatures, it requires less time. Roasting, on the other hand, is a slow heating process and needs much more time. Grilling renders a very crispy, golden brown and charred texture to the food, while roasting keeps the food more tender and succulent, says a blog post by Jessica Gavin.

Is toasting the same as roasting? ›

In general, roasting is a process where the temperature is lower but the time is higher (may be more than several minutes) while toasting is conducted at a much higher temperature for a short duration (say less than one minute). Until the late nineteenth century, dry heat roasting in an oven was called baking.

Get More Info ›

What cheese melts the best for grilled cheese? ›

With both meltability and flavor in mind, here are the five best cheeses to use for your next grilled cheese.

Mozzarella. From pizza to mozzarella sticks, we already know what mozzarella is capable of when it comes to epic cheese pulls. ...
Brie/Bloomy Rind. ...
Comté/Raclette/Gruyère. ...
Young Gouda. ...
American Cheese.

Sep 1, 2023

Find Out More ›

What is garlic cheese called? ›

Boursin [buʁsɛ̃] is a soft creamy cheese available in various flavours, with a flavour and texture similar to cream cheese. The first Boursin flavour, Garlic and Fine Herbs, was created in 1957 by François Boursin, a cheese maker from Normandy.

Read The Full Story ›

What not to eat with cheese? ›

Veer from olive mixes speckled with dried red pepper flakes, really spicy pickled items, spicy meats, hot jellies, mustards, or chutneys, and even crackers with black peppercorns. While delicious, these accompaniments will linger on your palate and hinder your experience of the cheese in its natural state.

Get More Info ›

What bread does Panera use for grilled cheese? ›

Sliced American cheese grilled on thick-sliced Classic White Miche.

See Details ›

Should you grate or slice cheese for grilled cheese? ›

Shred Your Cheese: Do not, we repeat, do NOT use sliced cheese for grilled cheese. First, it is best to bring your cheese up to room temperature before cooking your sandwich. Then, shredding the cheese will help ensure that it melts faster and more evenly. Keep in mind, certain cheeses melt easier than others.

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How can I enhance the taste of garlic? ›

6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Garlic

Separate stubborn cloves with the back of your knife. ...
Peel cloves quickly and easily in a jar. ...
Enlist salt when mincing garlic. ...
Grate garlic for potent flavor. ...
Make garlic mellow by roasting it. ...
Get a 2-for-1 by poaching garlic in oil.

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Does roasting garlic prevent bad breath? ›

Unfortunately, the smell of garlic on our breath can and does “linger” (up to 24 hours) which is way more than any of us would like. Roasting garlic tends to make it sweeter and milder in flavor. It will not be completely undetectable, but it is certainly less strong than sautéed garlic.

Get More Info Here ›

What happens when you eat roasted garlic? ›

Additionally, roasted garlic can help to improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots. This is due to the fact that it contains compounds such as quercetin and kaempferol, which are known to have these effects. Finally, roasted garlic can help to protect against some types of cancer.

Learn More ›

Is roasted garlic good by itself? ›

Roasted garlic adds a big punch of flavor to recipes, and it's great eaten on its own, spread on crackers, too.

Learn More Now ›