Best 8 Roasted Carrots With Pesto Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with roasted carrots, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. These vibrant orange roots, caramelized to perfection, are the stars of the show, their natural sweetness enhanced by a medley of herbs and spices. Pesto, a vibrant green sauce crafted from fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, adds a layer of complexity, its nutty and aromatic notes harmonizing beautifully with the roasted carrots.

In this article, we present two variations of this delectable dish:

1. **Classic Roasted Carrots with Pesto:** Simplicity meets elegance in this classic recipe. Roasted carrots are tossed in a luscious homemade pesto, resulting in a harmonious balance of flavors.

2. **Honey-Roasted Carrots with Pistachio Pesto:** A touch of sweetness elevates this variation, with honey adding a golden glaze to the roasted carrots. Pistachio pesto, made with roasted pistachios, brings a unique textural element and a subtle nutty flavor.

Both recipes promise an explosion of flavors, textures, and colors, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light main course, these roasted carrots with pesto are sure to impress.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ROASTED CARROTS AND BEETS WITH PECAN PESTO



Roasted Carrots and Beets with Pecan Pesto image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 pounds carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces and halved lengthwise if large
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 medium beets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup pecans
1 cup fresh parsley
1 cup fresh mint
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Tear off 3 pieces of foil; put 2 beets on each sheet. Drizzle the beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and wrap in the foil. Transfer the carrots and beets to the oven; bake the carrots until browned and tender, 30 to 35 minutes, and bake the beets until easily pierced with a knife, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, toast the pecans in a small dry skillet over low heat, stirring, about 5 minutes; let cool. Transfer to a food processor; add the parsley, mint, garlic, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Pulse a few times to make a paste. With the machine running, gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Add the parmesan and pulse to combine.
  • Let the beets cool slightly, then peel and cut into wedges. Transfer to a large bowl or serving dish and add the carrots and pesto; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

CARROTS WITH PESTO AND RICOTTA



Carrots with Pesto and Ricotta image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 31m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in an ovenproof skillet. Add 1 1/2 pounds carrots (halved lengthwise if large), season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, tossing, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 475 degrees F oven and roast until charred, 20 to 25 minutes. Top with pesto and ricotta.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT TOP PESTO



Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 to 14 medium carrots with tops (about 1 1/2 pounds)
5 to 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons sweet curry powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/2 cup walnut halves
1 cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Trim and reserve the carrot tops. In a large bowl, toss the carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil and the curry powder and salt. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and roast 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove and cool.
  • In the food processor, pulse the walnuts a few times to break them up. Add the basil, carrot tops, honey, 3 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup cold water. Pulse until combined but not completely smooth. If dry or too chunky, add another tablespoon olive oil or 1 to 2 tablespoons water to loosen. Transfer to a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning.
  • Transfer the carrots to a serving platter. Stir the vinegar into the pesto and spoon the pesto over the roasted carrots.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH PESTO



Roasted Carrots with Pesto image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Slice 2 bunches carrots (with greens); chop 1 cup of the greens. Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast at 425 degrees F, tossing once, until tender, 20 minutes. Puree the carrot greens (or 1 cup chopped basil) with 1/4 cup each olive oil, grated parmesan and mint leaves, 1 garlic clove and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; season with salt. Top the carrots with the pesto and chopped hazelnuts.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CILANTRO-WALNUT PESTO



Roasted Carrots with Cilantro-Walnut Pesto image

Lightly baked and lightly flavored, this carrot dish uses cilantro, walnuts, olive oil, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese and basil. -Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound medium carrots, halved lengthwise

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Pulse the first 6 ingredients in a small food processor until finely chopped. Continue processing, gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Drizzle carrots with herb mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Roast, stirring occasionally, until tender, 20-25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 calories, Fat 17g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 102mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

3-INGREDIENT ROASTED CARROTS WITH PISTACHIO PESTO



3-Ingredient Roasted Carrots with Pistachio Pesto image

Often unused carrot tops shine in a nutty pesto drizzled over sweet roasted carrots.

Provided by Molly Baz

Categories     Carrot     Pistachio     Basil     Side     Roast     Sauce     Spring     3-Ingredient Recipes     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Paleo     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 pounds young carrots, trimmed, peeled, plus 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot tops
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped roasted, salted pistachios, divided
2 cups (loosely packed) basil leaves, plus more for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss carrots with 2 Tbsp. oil, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, tossing occasionally, until carrots are golden brown and tender, 25-35 minutes. Let cool.
  • Meanwhile, pulse 1/4 cup pistachios in a food processor until a coarse paste forms. Add carrot tops and 2 cups basil. Pulse until a coarse purée forms. Add remaining 1/2 cup oil and pulse until combined; season with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
  • Transfer carrots to a platter. Drizzle with pesto, then top with basil leaves and remaining 1/4 cup pistachios.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT-TOP PESTO AND BURRATA



Roasted Carrots with Carrot-Top Pesto and Burrata image

If you can get your hands on burrata-a really special cheese, like delicate mozzarella with a creamy center-then you're already most of the way toward a great dish. In the spring, I'll serve burrata with Snap Pea Salad; in high summer, I'll pair it with slices of ripe tomato, good olive oil, and flaky salt. When summer fades, I crave burrata with roasted carrots, a pairing that's less common but no less worthy of your attention. The two are like good mates, each helping the other along: the sweetness of the carrots sets off the tanginess of the cheese; the cheese's tanginess makes the carrots tastes even sweeter. Pesto made from the carrot tops adds color and salty, herbaceous wallops throughout the dish.

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield Serves 4 to 6 as a Side

Number Of Ingredients 14

20 small carrots (the size of pointer fingers), scrubbed well but not peeled, all but 1/2-inch of the tops removed and reserved
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon plus a few pinches of Maldon or another flaky sea salt
1/2 pound room-temperature burrata, drained
About 3 tablespoons Carrot Top Pesto, recipe follows
A five-finger pinch of basil leaves, torn at the last minute if large
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cups lightly packed delicate carrot tops (stems discarded), roughly chopped
A small handful of basil leaves
1/2 cup walnut halves
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 medium garlic clove, halved lengthwise
1 teaspoon Maldon or another flaky sea salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.
  • Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into a heavy ovenproof pan big enough to hold the carrots in a single layer. Set the pan over high heat and bring the oil to a light smoke. Add the carrots, sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of the salt, and turn the carrots to coat them in the oil. Cook, turning over the carrots occasionally, until they're browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Pop the pan in the oven and roast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the carrots are evenly tender, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of your carrots. Let the carrots cool slightly. Halve the burrata and arrange the halves on a platter. Arrange the carrots on the platter so they're pointing this way and that. Add the pesto here and there in little dollops.
  • Pluck enough 2-to 3-inch delicate sprigs from the reserved carrot tops to make about 1 1/2 lightly packed cups and toss them in a bowl with the basil. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of the oil with the lemon juice and a good pinch of salt in a small bowl until the mixture looks creamy. Use a little of the lemon dressing to lightly dress the carrot top-basil mixture, sprinkle on a little more salt, and toss well. Arrange the mixture on top of the carrots and burrata. Drizzle everything with the remaining lemon dressing and serve.
  • Combine the carrot tops and basil in a small food processor, pulse several times, then add the walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, and salt. Pulse several more times, add the oil, then process full-on, stopping and scraping down the sides of the processor or stirring gently if need be, until the mixture is well combined but still a bit chunky. Taste and season with more salt, if you fancy.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH BASIL PESTO



Roasted carrots with basil pesto image

Cut these carrots lengthways to add interest and different textures to your plate. Adding pesto is an easy way to elevate the flavour of this root veg

Provided by Samuel Goldsmith

Categories     Side dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 3

600g carrots, quartered lengthways
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp basil pesto (check the label if vegetarian)

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the carrots onto a baking tray and drizzle with the oil. Season well, then toss to coat in the oil.
  • Roast for 20 mins, then spoon over the pesto and stir gently to coat. Roast for 10 mins more until the carrots are tender, then serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80 calories, Fat 4 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 8 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 1 grams protein, Sodium 0.2 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the right carrots: Look for carrots that are medium-sized and firm, with smooth skin and no blemishes. Avoid carrots that are too large, as they may be woody.
  • Roast the carrots at a high temperature: This will help to caramelize the carrots and give them a slightly sweet flavor. Roast the carrots at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned.
  • Use a good quality pesto: A good pesto will make all the difference in the flavor of your roasted carrots. Look for a pesto that is made with fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or mint. You can also make your own pesto at home using a food processor.
  • Serve the roasted carrots immediately: Roasted carrots are best served immediately, while they are still warm. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Roasted carrots with pesto is a simple but delicious side dish that is perfect for any occasion. The carrots are roasted until they are tender and slightly caramelized, and then they are tossed with a flavorful pesto sauce. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table.

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