155
102.9296875
This is another lovely spring time pasta, this time using in-season carrots. They do double duty: cutting down on the fat and calories of traditional mac n cheese as well as adding healthy vitamins and nutrients. I roasted them as I did in my Roasted Carrot Soup (click for recipe) and used smoked cheddar and fontina, which allows you to use less and still get a rich, deep flavor. This is great as a main course or side dish. I think both little and big kids will eat their veggies tonight!
156
103.59375
156
103.59375
156
96.28125
156
117.45703125
156
110.296875
156
99.0234375
156
93.08203125
Roasted Carrot Mac N Cheese
April 29, 2012
30 min or less active, fall, main, side, spring, summer, winter
This is another lovely spring time pasta, this time using in-season carrots. They do double duty: cutting down on the fat and calories of traditional mac n cheese as well as adding healthy vitamins and nutrients. I roasted them as I did in my Roasted Carrot Soup (click for recipe) and used smoked cheddar and fontina, which allows you to use less and still get a rich, deep flavor. This is great as a main course or side dish. I think both little and big kids will eat their veggies tonight!Information
Servings: 6 as a side; 4 as a main
Time: About 20 minutes active; 70 minutes total
Price: About $6.50 total; $1.10 per side serving
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 272.7
Protein: 10.9g
Fat: 8.5g
Saturated fat: 4.7g
Carbohydrates: 41.1g
Fiber: 2.4g
Sodium: 375.3mg
Cholesterol: 20.8mg
High In:
Good Source:
Low In:
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, cut into 1-2" pieces
- 1 Tbsp butter (I used plant-based)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 medium orange, zested then juiced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp SnP, plus more for seasoning pasta water
- 8 oz short pasta, like penne or fusilli
- 2 oz fontina, grated
- 2 oz smoked cheddar, grated
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a casserole dish, toss carrots with butter, honey, zest, juice, oregano, cumin and SnP. Roast 30 minutes, turning carrots every 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Lower heat to 350 degrees and save the roasting pan.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
- Puree carrots in a food processor. Add carrots with cooked pasta back to pot. Add pasta water, all the fontina and half the cheddar. Cook over medium-low heat until cheese is melted and everything is incorporated.
- Spray carrot-roasting pan with cooking spray. Spoon carrot-pasta-cheese mixture in pan and smooth out evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheddar on top. Cook 20 minutes until all cheese is melted. Serve hot.
