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Easy Carrot Pasta Sauce Recipe

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4.4 from 3 reviews

This easy carrot pasta sauce recipe transforms humble carrots into a luscious, flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with penne pasta. The sauce is enriched with garlic, onion, tomato paste, soy sauce, and vegetable stock, then blended to a creamy smooth consistency. This vibrant and healthy pasta dish is quick to prepare, comforting, and elegant enough for any weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Pasta

  • 1 pound penne pasta

Garnish

  • Parmesan cheese
  • Chives

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and chopped carrots, cooking for about 10 minutes until the carrots begin to caramelize and brown. This step builds a deep, natural sweetness in the sauce.
  2. Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking together for about one minute to release their fragrant flavors.
  3. Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the vegetable stock and soy sauce, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for another 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender, allowing all flavors to meld.
  4. Blend the Sauce: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend the sauce until completely smooth. Alternatively, cool slightly and transfer to a standard blender to purée.
  5. Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water until slightly less than al dente, ensuring it finishes cooking with the sauce later.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water. Return the sauce to a large skillet, add the pasta along with the reserved pasta water, and toss together over medium heat until the pasta is tender and the sauce clings beautifully.
  7. Season to Taste: Taste the combined pasta and sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
  8. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped chives for a fresh, savory finish.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, omit Parmesan or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it adhere to the pasta.
  • Caramelizing carrots adds natural sweetness but be careful to not burn the garlic when added.
  • This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/easy-carrot-pasta-sauce-recipe/