Easy Carrot Sauce
While my family loves a classic marinara, I find it so fun to experiment with non tomato-based sauces to make pasta dishes more nutritious, flavorful, and varied. If you haven’t tried vegetable-centered pasta sauces, oh I’m so excited for you as a whole new door of possibilities has now been opened! They’re such a great way to get more veggies into your family’s diet. So far, I’ve shared sweet potato sauce, green pasta sauce, butternut squash sauce, and now it’s time for the carrots to take center stage! Made from fresh carrots, this creamy pasta sauce is not only loaded with vitamins and minerals but also packs a sweet and savory flavor that complements pasta dishes perfectly. It’s a kid-friendly weeknight meal perfect for the whole family. And if you don’t feel like eating pasta, there are so many different ways to enjoy this creamy carrot sauce! Let me show you. Extra bonus – As we eat with our eyes first, the bright orange color will help grab your little one’s attention and get them more excited about trying this sauce.
Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
Carrots – you will need a pound (about 5-6 medium carrots) of firm, bright colored carrots. Onion – you can use yellow or red onion. Beans – white beans, such as great northern or cannellini, will work best. Coconut milk – adds creaminess and incredible flavor! See “Substitutions” section for alternatives. Tahini – complements the other flavors in the pasta sauce and adds depth and complexity. Also provided substitutions below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Substitutions
No coconut milk? You can use any milk of choice or even vegetable stock. The texture and flavor will change but will be delicious in its own way. No tahini? I’ve tried with white miso (like in this miso pasta) and it was so delicious too! Or add some tomato paste. You will need one of these to give the sauce an extra oomph. No white beans? Use chickpeas or even cooked red lentils or silken tofu. They will all add creaminess and a boost of protein.
Tips for Success
There is no need to peel the garlic cloves before roasting as they will just pop right out perfectly caramelized and delicious once roasted. A fan of garlic? Go ahead and roast a whole head and add more to this sauce or save to enjoy throughout the week! Meal prep – Since roasting the vegetables is what takes the longest, feel free to prep over the weekend for a super easy weeknight meal. Be sure to save some pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This starchy water really helps the sauce stick to the noodles as well as adds silkiness to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this creamy carrot pasta with some cheese, fresh lemon juice, and herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or basil, which will really help brighten up the dish. Toasted nuts would be delicious too. The husband really likes it with some freshly cracked black pepper and sriracha. If you’d like, you can enjoy the dish with an additional protein source, such as:
Chicken Tofu Salmon Shrimp
BUT this creamy sauce isn’t just for pasta. Try serving with:
Oatmeal Lentils Quinoa Rice
You can also spread onto toast, this high protein pizza dough, cheese quesadilla or add to sandwiches for toddlers and kids! It’s actually super delicious as a soup too! Tip: if your child doesn’t like mixed foods, try serving the pasta and sauce separately. Here are some more dinner serving suggestions for toddlers and kids.
Equipment
Using a powerful blender makes ALL the difference when making smooth sauces. I’ve had my Vitamix for 7+ years and it’s worth every penny! I use it to make all my blender muffins, dips/sauces, smoothies, veggie nuggets, pancakes…it’s hands down my number one workhorse. You can also use a food processor to make this sauce, although won’t be as smooth. I mainly got it to make a ton of different energy balls, like these easy bliss balls, peanut butter balls and apricot balls. But I’m finding more uses for it like when I want to make a more chunkier, textured sauce, like pesto.
Storage
While you can refrigerate leftovers once the pasta is tossed in the sauce, it tastes best with fresh cooked pasta. So I strongly recommend combining enough pasta and sauce for one meal and reserving the rest of the sauce to enjoy in various ways throughout the week, as mentioned above. Store leftover sauce in an airtight container or jar and refrigerate for up to 5 days. They freeze really well too. I personally like to freeze in individual portions. This freezer tray with a lid is really great! Once frozen, you can pop the molded sauce out and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. You can also add individual cubes straight from the freezer and mix with freshly cooked pasta to help cool it down faster. Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
title: “Creamy Carrot Pasta Sauce” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-07” author: “Linda Horton”
Complete this meal with the delicious southern flavor of baked BBQ chicken or a crunchy bacon kale caesar salad. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with those vibrant green carrot tops, this recipe is a good place to start. The greens are completely edible and nutritious and here they’re used in a pesto that marries perfectly with the cheesy flavor of carrot pasta sauce. And if your carrots don’t have lovely greens, parsley makes a great substitute.
How to make carrot pasta sauce
This vegetable-filled carrot pasta sauce is simple to make by following a few easy steps:
Pasta – choose your favorite short shaped pasta! Olive oil – any variety of extra-virgin olive oil will keep the pasta from sticking together. Carrots (and their tops) – look for them at the farmer’s market with their vibrant green tops attached. No need to peel them; just give them a good scrub. Their skin is high in nutrients and fiber. Don’t toss the tops! Reserve them for the pesto. Garlic + onion – these add flavor. Vegetable or chicken stock – choose vegetable stock to make this dish vegetarian. Cream cheese – gives the sauce its delicious creamy texture. Parmesan cheese – adds richness and flavor to the sauce. Sea salt – enhances the overall flavor. Pepper and chili flakes – adds a bit of warmth (or feel free to omit).
For added nutrition, choose whole wheat, ancient grain pasta. You can also make this recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta or choosing lentil or chickpea-based pasta. If you don’t have enough carrot tops or can’t find them, use parsley instead. Alternatively, use store-bought pesto. Or turn the pasta into a side by serving it with one of these delicious mains:
Pan-Fried Pork Chops Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts Italian Dressing Chicken Baked Pork Tenderloin
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