Description
These Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese are a perfectly balanced side dish for the holidays. Sweet, caramelized carrots pair with crunchy, maple-glazed pecans and creamy, tangy goat cheese for a flavor-packed dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
Ingredients
- Carrots: 2 pounds, peeled
- Brown sugar: 1/2 cup
- Unsalted butter: 4 tablespoons, cut into pats
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
- Goat cheese: 4 ounces, crumbled
- Fresh thyme: 1 tablespoon, to garnish
- Candied Pecans:
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Maple syrup: 3 tablespoons
- Brown sugar: 1 tablespoon
- Pecans: 1 cup, roughly chopped
- Flaked sea salt: 1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Arrange the carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with brown sugar, butter pats, salt, pepper, and cinnamon.
- Roast for 50-60 minutes, turning the carrots 3-4 times, until they are tender and caramelized.
- While the carrots roast, make the candied pecans. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add maple syrup, brown sugar, and pecans. Stir for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat, stir in flaked sea salt, and set the pecans aside.
- Once the carrots are roasted, transfer them to a serving dish. Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese, candied pecans, and fresh thyme. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- To make this recipe vegan, swap the butter with a plant-based alternative and use vegan maple syrup. You can omit the goat cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the candied pecans up to a day in advance and roast the carrots an hour before serving to streamline prep on the day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: side-dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 434kcal
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 39mg