3-Ingredient Roasted Carrots with Pistachio Pesto

Sweet roasted carrots are elevated with a vibrant homemade pistachio-carrot top pesto and finished with fresh basil leaves and crunchy pistachios. This elegant side dish transforms simple carrots into a restaurant-worthy presentation.

6 servings
50 min

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds young carrots, trimmed, peeled, plus 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot tops
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped roasted, salted pistachios
  • 2 cups basil leaves
  • basil leaves for serving

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    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.

    35 min

  2. 2.

    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.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer carrots to a platter. Drizzle with pesto, then top with basil leaves and remaining 1/4 cup pistachios.

    5 min