Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Hot Honey Recipe
This Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Hot Honey recipe offers a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. Tender roasted carrots get a luscious layer of fluffy whipped ricotta, drizzled with a warm, spicy honey glaze, and finished with fresh herbs and crunchy nuts for a gourmet yet simple side dish perfect for any meal.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting, Whipping, Infusing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Roasted Carrots
- 1½ lbs (about 6–8 medium) carrots, peeled and halved lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Whipped Ricotta
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Hot Honey
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives
- Crushed pistachios or walnuts
- Flaky sea salt
- Lemon zest
- Roast the Carrots: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the peeled, halved carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Arrange them cut-side down on the baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender with caramelized edges. Thicker carrots may need a few extra minutes.
- Prepare the Whipped Ricotta: While the carrots roast, combine ricotta, heavy cream or milk, olive oil, and lemon zest in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1–2 minutes until smooth, fluffy, and airy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, add a squeeze of lemon juice for tang. Chill until ready to use.
- Make the Hot Honey: Warm honey gently in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in red pepper flakes and let infuse for 3–4 minutes without boiling. Add apple cider vinegar, stir, then remove from heat and let cool slightly to thicken. Strain if desired, or leave flakes for visual and flavor impact.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a generous layer of whipped ricotta on a serving platter or individual plates. Arrange the warm roasted carrots on top. Drizzle with hot honey and finish with optional garnishes such as chopped herbs, flaky sea salt, crushed nuts, or extra lemon zest. Serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- For a tangier whipped ricotta, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- You can prepare the whipped ricotta up to one day in advance and keep it refrigerated.
- Adjust red pepper flakes in the hot honey to control the spiciness level.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Try different nuts like toasted almonds or pecans for garnish to add variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 175g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: roasted carrots, whipped ricotta, hot honey, easy side dish, vegetarian recipe, spicy honey drizzle, healthy side