These easy roasted carrots are sliced and roasted in the oven until browned and delicious. They’ll take on the subtle notes of thyme as they roast and get topped with crumbly goat cheese for an extra layer of flavor. Serve these simple roasted carrots with thyme as a side dish to accompany your favorite chicken, fish, or beef, dinner.
I feel like carrots always take on a most scrumptious transformation in the oven. They’ll go from crunchy, hard slices to soft, roasted bites that deepen in flavor and caramelize slightly due to their natural sugar content.
How To Make Easy Roasted Carrots With Thyme
I added a few extra ingredients to give them a little punch of flavor and turn them into an exciting addition to your entrée at dinner. Some crumbled goat cheese (optional) and fresh thyme. Easy right? Nothing huge, but it will dress up the carrots and create an interesting side you can put out on a platter or easily add to your plate.
Start By Prepping Your Carrots
Start by removing your carrots from the bag. Give them a quick wash and peel them. If you are using fresh thyme, collect a few teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves and set aside. We’ll use them to sprinkle on later.
For a more stylish look, I sliced the carrots on a deep angle to give them a more interesting shape.
I sliced my carrots into about 1/2 inch thick slices. You can slice yours even thicker, if you like. If yours are a bit thicker, then test them in the oven during roasting by poking them with a toothpick or fork. Check their tenderness and add a few more minutes (give or take) as needed.
Related: Easy Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Place Sliced Carrots On A Sheet Pan
Arrange your sliced carrots on a sheet in a single layer. Drizzle them with good, flavorful, fruity olive oil. Now sprinkle them with coarse salt, cracked pepper, and thyme leaves.
Roast Sliced Carrots In A Hot Oven
Put the carrots in the oven (uncovered) and roast them for 20 to 25 minutes until slightly browned and tender. A hot and high oven temperature helps to bring out the color and flavor in the carrots. It also helps them brown beautifully. At this high temperature, you won’t need to leave the carrots in long, so set a timer if you plan step away. They will cook especially quick since they are sliced and not whole. If, however, you’re planning to roast whole carrots, check out this quick and easy recipe for roasting whole carrots.
Finish off By Sprinkling With Goat Cheese + Thyme
To finish everything off, transfer your carrots to a bowl or plate. Sprinkle the carrots with a little crumbled goat cheese (optional) and fresh thyme leaves. Serve hot.
Serve These Easy Roasted Carrots as a Thanksgiving Side Dish, Christmas Side Dish, or Easter Dinner Side Dish
Serve these easy roasted carrots with goat cheese and thyme as a simple and satisfying holiday side dish! Serve the roasted carrots alongside the turkey at Thanksgiving.
You can also serve these roasted carrots side dish at Christmas dinner or even as an Easter dinner side dish with a festive roasted ham!
What to serve with EASY roasted carrots:
- Serve these simple roasted thyme carrots with easy sheet pan chicken, grilled fish, baked salmon, or beef.
- Roast them separately on their own sheet pan and then toss them in with these easy roasted sweet potatoes and beets with pomegranate drizzle and serve alongside a roasted turkey breast if using the carrots as a Thanksgiving vegetable side dish!
Easy Roasted Carrots With Goat Cheese and Thyme
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Regular Long Store Bought Carrots - I used two bags of long carrots
- 1 1/2 tbsp Fruity Olive Oil - or more if desired – for drizzling
- 1 tsp coarse sea salt + cracked pepper
- 2 tsp fresh or dry thyme - I used the leaves of fresh thyme sprigs
- 1/3 cup Crumbled Goat Cheese (Optional) - or more if desired, for topping
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees while you get ready to prep your carrots. Begin prepping your carrots by washing, peeling and slicing. For a more attractive look when plating, I sliced my carrots on a deep angle into about 1/2 inch thick slices.
- Arrange your sliced carrots on a sheet pan in a single layer. Drizzle with good fruity olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme leaves.
- Roast carrots, uncovered, in a 425 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Test their tenderness with a fork and adjust time as needed (especially if you have sliced them thicker).
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a bowl or platter. Top with crumbled goat cheese and sprinkle more thyme or garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired. Drizzle a little more oil over the top for finishing, if desired.
