Carrot Top Pesto Pasta

Name: Carrot Top Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 carrots with fresh leafy tops, peeled; 1 lb pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti); 6 tbsp olive oil; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups carrot tops (leafy greens), washed; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves; 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 lemon, juiced; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water

A sustainable pasta dish that transforms carrot greens into a vibrant, herbaceous pesto. Tossed with roasted carrots and your favorite pasta, this recipe celebrates the whole vegetable while reducing food waste.

45 minMediumServes 4420 cal/serving

ItalianDinnerStovetop and OvenVegetarianLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

8 carrots with fresh leafy tops, peeled
1 lb pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
6 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups carrot tops (leafy greens), washed
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2

Remove the leafy 4 cups washed carrot tops (leafy greens) from the 8 peeled carrots with fresh leafy tops, wash thoroughly, and set aside.
3

Cut the carrots into 1/2-inch rounds. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, season with salt and black pepper, and toss to coat.
4

Roast the carrots for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
5

While the carrots are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 lb pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti) according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water before draining.
6

To make the pesto, add the carrot tops, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 juiced lemon, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper to a food processor.
7

Pulse a few times to roughly chop, then with the motor running, slowly drizzle in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until you have a smooth but slightly chunky pesto.
8

In a large bowl, toss the hot drained pasta with the carrot top pesto. Add the roasted carrots and gently fold to combine.
9

If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
10

Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.

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Questions

What oven temperature does Carrot Top Pesto Pasta need?

For Carrot Top Pesto Pasta, the oven is set to 425 F (about 220 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 25 minutes, in step 4.

Why save the pasta water for Carrot Top Pesto Pasta?

Step 5 reads: "Reserve 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water before draining." The water is full of starch. Added back as step 5 directs, it emulsifies the sauce so it clings to the pasta instead of pooling in the bowl.

What equipment do I need for Carrot Top Pesto Pasta?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a food processor (step 6) and a sheet pan (step 3). If you do not have one, a sharp knife and patience, or a blender in short pulses, stands in for the food processor.

Is Carrot Top Pesto Pasta spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Carrot Top Pesto Pasta comes from 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. For a milder plate, halve the red pepper flakes; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Carrot Top Pesto Pasta dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Carrot Top Pesto Pasta is 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Carrot Top Pesto Pasta vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan dinner collection.

Does Carrot Top Pesto Pasta contain tree nuts?

Yes: 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and tree nuts. Where the nuts are a garnish or a texture, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds stand in. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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