Turn Those Fresh Carrots into a Mouthwatering Meal Tonight

spiced carrot soup with savory sesame granola
26 Best Carrot Recipes for Dinner and DessertBecky Luigart-Stayner


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You open the fridge and start poking around, wondering what you might use to build out a dinner. One ingredient you probably have, but may not have thought of: carrots!

Go ahead and browse these easy and smart carrot recipes, they'll convince you those classic orange root veggies are good for a whole lot more than filling out a summer salad or a veggie plate.

From a surprisingly filling dinner soup to tender, delicious mini-pancakes (blinis), and of course with plenty of sweet cakes and rich roasted carrot side dishes, it's easy to turn carrots into a hearty, filling, and nutritious meal.

More Vegetable Recipes: Best Radish Recipes | Healthy Vegetarian Casseroles | Smart Spring Asparagus Recipes

Spiced Carrot Soup with Savory Sesame Granola

Think a vegetable soup can't be main-course dinner filling? This pureed carrot soup, with rice, coconut milk, and popping with spices, will convince you otherwise!

Get the recipe for Spiced Carrot Soup.

spiced carrot soup with savory sesame granola
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Green Salad with Roasted Carrots and Creamy Tarragon Dressing

A cool tarragon dressing makes these roasted carrots oh-so-refreshing.

Get the recipe for Green Salad with Roasted Carrots.

green salad roasted carrots
Brian Woodcock

Oven-Braised Rainbow Carrots

Toasted almonds, orange juice, and fresh mint make this beautiful braised carrot dish flavorful as well!

Get the recipe for Oven-Braised Rainbow Carrots.

oven braised rainbow carrots
Brian Woodcock

Mini Carrot Pot Pies

These veggie-packed pot pies make a great appetizer for a feast, or an easy and light dinner with a side salad!

Get the recipe for Mini Carrot Pot Pies.

mini carrot pot pies in individual ramekins
Brian Woodcock

Carrot Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Drizzle

Carrots aren't just for savory recipes! Their natural sweetness is always welcome in a good carrot cake. This simple version is a no-muss masterpiece.

Get the recipe for Carrot Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Drizzle.

carrot cake with cream cheese drizzle
Brian Woodcock

Coriander-Roasted Carrots

Here's a simple side dish that's sure to impress: The creamy feta-yogurt dressing offers a tangy, salty counterpoint to the sweet, rich flavor of the roasted carrots. Trimming the tops off whole rainbow carrots gives them a stunning look.

Get the recipe for Coriander-Roasted Carrots.

coriander roasted carrots
Brian Woodcock

Date-Carrot Cake

This is the carrot cake you conjure up when thinking about what a carrot cake should be.

dThis is the carrot cake you remember having as a kid: perfectly moist, perfectly seasoned, with a cream cheese frosting that's equal parts creamy and sweet. And now you can make it whenever you want.

Get the recipe for Date-Carrot Cake.

date carrot cake
Becky Lugart-Stayner

Carrot Patch Cupcakes

If a whole cake isn't your deal, try these carrot-cake cupcakes! If you want to go all out, the crushed chocolate wafer-cookie "dirt" and icing-mint "carrot" gives it a fun garden look, and mini terra cotta pots complete the effect.

Get the recipe for Carrot Patch Cupcakes.

carrot patch cupcakes placed in mini terracotta pots and decorated to look like dirt on top with a carrot coming out
Brian Woodcock

Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots

If traditional glazed carrots aren't sweet enough for ya, try mixing in pure maple syrup for extra sugary goodness.

Get the recipe for Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots.

coriander maple glazed carrots
Brian Woodcock

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

Coated in orange juice and spices this sweet potato, carrot, and onion mix pops with flavor.

Get the recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots.

roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Christopher Testani

Carrot-Nut Bread with Sour Cream Glaze

This not-too-sweet quick bread is perfect for afternoon snacks!

Get the recipe for Carrot-Nut Bread with Sour Cream Glaze.

carrot nut bread with sour cream glaze
Hector Sanchez

Carrot Chorizo Blini

These savory bites, made with chorizo sausage and topped with Greek yogurt, are going to be gone before you know it.

Get the recipe for Carrot Chorizo Blini.

carrot chorizo blini
Mary Britton

Nanny's Full o' Love Glazed Carrot Cake

This special-occasion carrot cake is over-the-top good: After baking, the cake is glazed, and then frosted!

Get the recipe for Nanny's Full o' Love Glazed Carrot Cake.

easter cake nanny's full o' love glazed carrot cake
Charles Schiller

Orange Carrots with Yogurt-Parsley Dressing

These light and tangy carrots pair perfectly with Easter ham.

Get the recipe for Orange Carrots with Yogurt-Parsley Dressing.

orange carrots with yogurt parsley dressing
Brian Woodcock

Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup

Even the vegetarians in your family will approve of this delicious soup recipe.

Get the recipe for Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup.

butternut squash and carrot soup
Con Poulos; Food styling by Vivian Lui; Prop styling by Marina Malchin

Crispy Chicken with Roasted Carrots and Couscous

Serve this hearty recipe as your main for Easter brunch or dinner, and you won't have to worry about making too many extra side dishes.

Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken with Roasted Carrots and Couscous.

crispy chicken and roasted carrots
Brian Woodcock

Curried Carrot and Apple Soup

The secret ingredient to make this soup extra sweet and savory? Gingersnap cookies.

Get the recipe for Curried Carrot and Apple Soup.

a group of bowls with food in them
Con Poulos

Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips

Spruce up your carrots by dousing them with freshly squeezed orange juice.

Get the recipe for Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips.

orange braised carrots and parsnips
Kate Mathis

Moroccan Carrot Soup

This recipe is super easy to make (prep time is a total of 25 minutes!).

Get the recipe forMoroccan Carrot Soup.

moroccan carrot soup
Andrew Purcell

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

This mix of sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions is coated in orange juice and spices for a side dish packed with flavor.

Get the recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots.

roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Christopher Testani

Gingery Carrot Soup

Prep ahead of time! This soup can be refrigerated for up to three days before being served chilled or warmed.

Get the recipe for Gingery Carrot Soup.

gingery carrot soup
Marcus Nilsson

Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

Once you taste the rich, buttery texture of these carrots, you'll never go back to plain old carrot sticks ever again.

Get the recipe for Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots at Diethood.

garlic butter roasted carrots
courtesy of diethood

Baked Parmesan Carrot Fries with Chili Mayo

If the kiddos won't eat carrots, try making them into fries.

Get the recipe for Baked Parmesan Carrot Fries with Chili Mayo at Kitchen Sanctuary.

baked parmesan carrot fries with chili mayo
courtesy of kitchen sanctuary

Herb-Roasted Tri-Colored Carrots

These roasted carrots will add a colorful touch to your Easter brunch buffet.

Get the recipe for Herb-Roasted Tri-Colored Carrots at Averie Cooks.

herb roasted tri colored carrots
courtesy of Averie Cooks

Moroccan Carrot Chick Pea Salad with Feta and Almond

Serve this spiced side salad chilled or warm—it's absolutely delicious both ways!

Get the recipe for Moroccan Carrot Chick Pea Salad with Feta and Almond at Cooking Classy.

carrot recipes salad chick peas
Cooking Classy

Risotto with Herbed Caramelized Carrots

Make this no-stir recipe even creamier with freshly grated Romano cheese.

Get the recipe for Risotto with Herbed Caramelized Carrots at With Food and Love.

carrot recipes risotto
With Food and Love

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