A simple tomato sauce with an extra vegetable boost, this easy roasted carrot sauce for pasta is a great recipe that the whole family can enjoy. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans and great for babies and kids too.
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We eat tomato based sauces in a lot of different ways. In fact I think that tinned tomatoes are probably the store cupboard ingredient that I use the most.
While a simple tomato sauce is always delicious, I like to up the vegetable content in my meals wherever I can.
We have a reluctant vegetable eater in the house (AKA picky eater) and adding a portion of veg into a pasta sauce means I know he’s got some way to eating his five a day.
But we should all be eating more veggies and adding some roasted carrots to a pasta sauce not only makes it taste delicious it means we’ve all had an extra portion for the day.
Is this pasta sauce suitable for babies?
Yes. This is a great recipe to make for babies - just leave out the salt.
It's blended into a purée so could easily be served as a first food on a spoon. Alternatively if you're doing baby led weaning serve with large pasta shapes so that your baby can grab onto them and eat.
How difficult is this carrot sauce to make?
It’s not difficult to make at all but it does take a little bit of time.
First you need to prepare and roast your carrots. While they’re in the oven make a tomato sauce. And finally blend everything together.
Do you have to roast the carrots?
You could save time by boiling or steaming your carrots, or adding them to the tomato sauce with the onions.
However, roasting then gives them such a delicious flavour that I really recommend that you do this.
How to serve this carrot sauce
My favourite way to serve this sauce is with pasta. Stirred through a simple pasta such as fusilli or penne it’s really delicious.
Adding olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and fresh herbs makes it a little more exciting.
My kids love this with any kind of tortellini or ravioli - filled pasta as they call it.
But it also works really well as a topping for pizza - in any form - traditional or with puff pastry or as a pinwheel.
What ingredients do you need to make carrot sauce?
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 medium carrots
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves (or other herbs)
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- Salt and pepper, optional
Do you need any special equipment to make this recipe?
You will need a blender. I use a blender* but you could use a hand held blender* instead. Your sauce won’t be quite as smooth but it will still be delicious.
Can you freeze this sauce?
Absolutely. This carrot pasta sauce freezes really well.
If you have a baby or young child you may wish to freeze in an ice cube tray. This makes it easier to defrost small portions to add to a single portion of food as and when you need it.
More pasta sauce recipes you might like
Here are some more pasta sauce recipes that you might like - they are all great for children.
How to make easy roasted carrot sauce for pasta
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
1. Peel and slice 6 medium carrots and place in a roasting tin. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon chopped thyme leaves and a pinch of sea salt (omit for babies).
2. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes, stirring halfway.
3. Meanwhile make a tomato sauce.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan. Add a chopped onion and sauté until soft and golden brown, around 10 minutes. Add 2 cloves crushed garlic and cook for a further minute.
Pour in a tin of chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon tomato puree. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to low and cook for 20-30 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Allow to cool slightly and then add to a blender with the roasted carrots.
5. Blend until smooth. Depending on the size of your blender you might need to do this in two lots. Alternatively add the carrots to the saucepan and blend with a handheld stick blender. Season to taste with salt and pepper (optional).
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Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Roasted carrot pasta sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
For the carrots
- 6 medium carrots peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves picked and chopped
- Sea salt optional
For the tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- Salt and pepper to taste, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6.
- Place 6 sliced carrots in a roasting dish and drizzle with olive oil, thyme leaves and sea salt. Mix well then roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are cooked through.
- Meanwhile heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan.
- Add a chopped onion and sauté until soft and golden brown, around 10 minutes.
- Add 2 cloves crushed garlic and cook for a further minute.
- Pour in a tin of chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon tomato puree. Bring the boil then reduce the heat to low and cook for 20-30 minutes until slightly thickened.
- When the carrots are done add them to the tomato sauce.
- Allow to cool a little then blend with a handheld blender or pour into a jug blender (make sure it’s not too hot if you’re doing this) and blend until smooth.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin easy roasted carrot sauce for pasta for later
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Pamela
Made this tonight for dinner. The tomato puree made it a little too tart for me so I added a teaspoon sugar. Served it on whole wheat pasta. It was a hit with my family.
Mandy Mazliah
So glad you enjoyed it Pamela
Puja
It is a really tasty recipe and a good way to get veggies into your little one :-). Makes my kitchen smell really nice too whoch is a bonus.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much Puja - I'm so happy that you loved it x
Mandy Mazliah
So glad you enjoyed this one Puja x