19 Delicious Ideas for Cooking with Carrots

Honey-Roasted Carrots
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Very few vegetables are as versatile as carrots. You can blend this root vegetable in smoothies for a healthy breakfast, roast them to have as a complementary side dish, bake them into cakes and cookies for a delicious dessert, or puree them for a rich and creamy soup. Incredibly sweet and earthy, carrots are full of vital nutrients and low in calories. No matter how you prefer to eat them, it's always helpful to have a simple carrot recipe on hand for busy weekdays. Caramelized, glazed, baked, or braised—it's time to give the humble and colorful vegetable the shine it deserves. Here, carrots take on a starring role, instead of being relegated to a mere supporting act. This means going beyond typical hummus dip or cheese paired with raw carrots. With this selection of easy and tasty recipes, you'll find the perfect carrot dish to enjoy regardless of the season.

01 of 19

Carrot Sheet Cake

Carrot Sheet Cake
Photo: Charles Walton

Recipe: Carrot Sheet Cake

Chock-full of carrots, smothered in velvety smooth cream cheese icing, and baked using just one sheet pan, we promise you'll always come back for another scrumptious slice.

02 of 19

Carrot Cake Pancakes

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Carrot Cake Pancakes

Carrot cake for breakfast? Yes, please! Here, these fluffy, carrot-filled flapjacks are served with layers upon layers of mascarpone cream.

03 of 19

Roasted Carrots

Roasted Carrots
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Roasted Carrots

Carrots are tossed with olive oil, salt, and black pepper in this easy and delicious side dish. For these scrumptious roasted carrots, you can used bagged baby carrots, but for a better taste, use young carrots with tops.

04 of 19

Carrot, Apple, and Ginger Soup

Carrot, Apple, and Ginger Soup
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Carrot, Apple, and Ginger Soup

Sweet carrots go together perfectly with citrusy apple and ginger spice to make a warm, satisfying dish.

05 of 19

Carrot-Cauliflower Salad

Carrot-Cauliflower Salad
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Carrot-Cauliflower Salad

We created this crunchy, sweet side as an update of the classic mayonnaise-laden carrot-and-raisin salad. Save time and make it ahead—it eats even better the next day. Try it with our zesty Orange Vinaigrette.

06 of 19

Honey-Roasted Carrots

Honey-Roasted Carrots
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Honey-Roasted Carrots

Roasting carrots enhances their naturally sweet flavor, while the honey and bourbon gives this side dish a deliciously sweet and sour taste. Substitute apple juice for bourbon, if you prefer. Look for bunches of carrots that are all about the same size so they'll cook evenly.

07 of 19

Orange-Ginger-Chile-Glazed Carrots

Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Orange-Ginger-Chile-Glazed Carrots

Roasting whole carrots in a hot oven and then giving them a final toss in a sweet glaze yields an unforgettable side dish. Look for multicolored carrots for a stunning presentation. We use a little chile pepper to add just a whiff of heat.

08 of 19

Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots

Pepper Jelly-Glzed Carrots
Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots

Even the most finicky of eaters will love the savory-sweet flavor of Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots. To add a bit more punch to this side dish, use hot jalapeno pepper jelly.

09 of 19

Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole

Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole

Cooked carrots can taste surprisingly sweet, so you'll savor their flavor in this fantastic casserole. The carrots also add smooth texture and extra flavor to this comfort food favorite.

10 of 19

Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake

Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake

Upgrade the classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by adding a unique and flavorful twist–Carrot Cake! Sweet and full of cinnamon, Carrot Cake adds the perfect compliment to a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake's classic flavor. With the flavorful addition of grated carrots and finely chopped pecans, this Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake is like the more decadent, dressed up version of a Southern dessert favorite.

11 of 19

Carrot-Apple Soup

Carrot-Apple Soup
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Carrot-Apple Soup

All ingredients are combined at one time in making this easy, two-step recipe. However, the intense color and depth of flavor will make you think you spent hours at the stovetop.

12 of 19

Carrot Orzo

Quick and Easy Summer Party Menu: Carrot Orzo
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Carrot Orzo

Though this Carrot Orzo is made with the short grain Italian pasta rather than rice, this colorful dish is similar to risotto. It cooks in much the same way, slowly simmering on the stove, absorbing the liquids—and the flavors—in the pot.

13 of 19

The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Ultimate Carrot Cake
Alison Miksch

Recipe: The Ultimate Carrot Cake

A classic at the pinnacle of its powers, our recipe for The Ultimate Carrot Cake is a multi-purpose, always-appropriate star of the dessert table. It is dense and moist, an ideal no-fail recipe for when you need a reliable go-to cake. For additional edible decoration, try our recipe for candied carrot curls, pretty helixes that add something special to the display.

14 of 19

Zucchini-Carrot Salad with Catalina Dressing

Zucchini-Carrot Salad with Catalina Dressing
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini-Carrot Salad with Catalina Dressing

Dress thinly sliced vegetables with our fresh take on catalina dressing and garnish with any fresh herbs you like.

15 of 19

Carrot-Ginger Puree

Hot Potato Salad
Helen Norman

Recipe: Carrot-Ginger Puree

You'd never know there's only a tablespoon of butter in this velvety, spiced puree. Make it up to three days ahead, and pair with chicken or a fresh salad for a simple dinner.

16 of 19

Best Carrot Cake

Best Carrot Cake
Tina Cornett

Recipe: Best Carrot Cake

Truly our best-ever Carrot Cake recipe, make this classic favorite for a crowd and you might not have any leftovers to bring home.

17 of 19

Baby Carrot Soup

Baby Carrot Soup
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Baby Carrot Soup

Healthy bright orange Baby Carrot Soup has a hands-on time of only 10 minutes. Smoky adobo sauce gives this creamy soup a subtle touch of heat.

18 of 19

Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot Cake Muffins
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Carrot Cake Muffins

With pecans, raisins, and crushed pineapple, these muffins are a breakfast-approved version of the classic dessert.

19 of 19

Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

Mascarpone Frosting
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

It's a heavenly trifecta. Apple and pecan, a decidedly autumnal pairing, gets a fresh, bright update with the addition of carrot cake. This cake has substance, but it also has zing. As you can see, a doubling of layers here creates a stunning centerpiece of a cake.

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