The Roasted Ingredient That Will Level Up Your Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a beloved side dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser — but just because it's a classic pairing with spaghetti and works well as an appetizer for a crowd doesn't mean you have to stick to the typical ingredients. Some recipes might simply call for rubbing bread with garlic, others involve spreading a garlic, butter, and parsley mixture on the bread before toasting it. You can, however, take things to the next level. 

While garlic bread is a quick and easy dish to make, for those who have more time on their hands, you can experiment by adding additional ingredients to your typical go-to recipe. From ripe tomatoes to garlicky chickpea spread, there are tons of flavorful ingredients that can complement garlic bread. 

However, one of the best ingredients to add some extra flavor to your garlic bread is roasted shallots.

Roasted shallots add a sweet and savory flavor to the bread, elevating it from a basic side to a standout dish. Start by roasting the shallots in the oven until they are caramelized. Roast the shallots just as you would garlic — by cutting the tops off of the shallots, drizzling with olive oil, and cooking until they are tender enough to squeeze out of the skins.

Once the shallots are roasted and the garlic bread has been prepared, you can use one of two methods. The first is to add the roasted shallots straight on top of the prepared garlic bread and toast it a little further. The second is to add the roasted shallots to the garlic and butter mixture. 

For the first technique, spoon the roasted shallots onto the slices of garlic bread. Run the shallot-topped garlic bread back into the oven for just a few minutes until the shallots and bread are crisp. Otherwise, you can simply squeeze the roasted shallots into softened butter with your garlic, and stir until it is spreadable and ready to top the bread.

The combination of roasted shallots and garlic in the bread is a match made in heaven. The sweetness of the shallots pairs perfectly with the pungent flavor of the garlic, creating a depth of flavor that takes the bread to the next level. Additionally, the texture of the roasted shallots adds a pleasant crunch and contrast to the soft, pillowy bread.

Between the contrasting textures and complementary flavors, garlic bread with roasted shallots is sure to be a mouth-watering dish and a hit at any meal.