Pink Pasta Beet Cream (Printable)
Tender pasta enveloped in a rich, pink beet cream sauce with garlic and Parmesan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium beets, peeled and diced
02 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
03 - 1 small shallot, peeled and quartered
→ Pasta
04 - 12 oz penne or pasta of choice
→ Dairy
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Seasonings
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp dried thyme
12 - Pinch of nutmeg
→ Garnish
13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Extra Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss diced beets, garlic, and shallot with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until beets are tender.
02 - While the vegetables roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
03 - Add roasted beets, garlic, shallot, heavy cream, butter, Parmesan, remaining olive oil, black pepper, thyme, and nutmeg to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
04 - Return pasta to the pot. Pour beet cream sauce over the pasta. Toss gently over low heat until the pasta is evenly coated and heated through. Add pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Adjust salt to taste.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The color alone sparks conversation before anyone even takes a bite, making dinner feel like an occasion
- Roasting beets transforms them into something sweet and earthy that even beet skeptics cant resist
- This sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant that takes reservations
02 -
- The sauce looks incredibly vibrant when fresh but will darken slightly as it sits, so plan to serve it right after tossing for the prettiest presentation
- Beet stains are no joke, so handle those roasted vegetables carefully and consider wearing an apron you don't care about too much
03 -
- Roast extra beets when you're already heating the oven, then blend them into smoothies or grain bowls throughout the week
- If you're nervous about the color intensity, start with one beet and taste as you go, you can always add more