Christmas Carrot Pesto Bake ๐ฅ๐
Description:
This Christmas Carrot Pesto Bake is an absolute showstopper on the festive table, and believe me, there won’t be a crumb left! ๐ I stumbled upon this gem in an Australian Christmas recipe book, and it has since become a cherished tradition in my household.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Recipe Category: Vegetable
- Keywords: Christmas, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 967.1
- Fat Content: 53.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 31.6g
- Cholesterol Content: 368.3mg
- Sodium Content: 708.1mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 85.5g
- Fiber Content: 8.4g
- Sugar Content: 11.6g
- Protein Content: 36.6g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 50g | Butter |
| 50g | Plain flour |
| 750ml | Milk |
| 150ml | Creme fraiche |
| 1 | Black peppercorns |
| 175g | Cheddar cheese |
| 4 | Eggs |
| 2 | Pesto sauce |
| 675g | Carrots |
| 225g | Parsley |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dish:
- Brush a 30 x 20cm (12 x 8 inch) ovenproof dish with oil.
-
Make the Sauce:
- In a large pan, melt the butter.
- Add the flour and stir over low heat until lightly golden and bubbling.
- Mix together the milk, creme fraiche, and peppercorns.
- Gradually add this mixture to the pan, stirring until smooth.
- Stir constantly over medium heat for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Boil for an additional minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in 115g (4oz) of the grated cheddar cheese and let cool slightly.
-
Prepare the Layers:
- Gradually add the beaten eggs to the sauce, stirring constantly.
- Pour one-third of the sauce into another bowl for the topping and set aside.
- To the remaining sauce, add the pesto sauce and grated carrots. Stir to combine.
-
Assemble the Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 150ยฐC (300ยฐF).
- Begin with one-third of the carrot mixture.
- Make alternate layers of the carrot mixture and lasagna sheets in the prepared dish.
- Use three layers of each, finishing with lasagna sheets.
- Spread the reserved sauce evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheddar cheese.
-
Final Steps:
- Set aside for 15 minutes before cooking to allow the pasta to soften.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the sauce has set and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. This will ensure easy and clean slicing.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve alongside a crisp salad.
This Christmas Carrot Pesto Bake is a delightful twist on traditional holiday flavors, blending the sweetness of carrots with the savory richness of pesto and cheese. ๐ฅโจ It’s perfect for busy weeknights or as a festive addition to your Christmas feast. Enjoy the warm, comforting aroma that will fill your kitchen as it bakes to golden perfection! ๐๐
