Pink Pasta Beet Cream (Printable)

Tender pasta tossed in a creamy beet sauce with garlic, shallot, and Parmesan for a vibrant dish.

# What You 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 (optional)
12 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Extra Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • The color alone makes everyone at the table lean in closer
  • Roasting the beets first transforms their flavor into something deeply sweet and complex
02 -
  • Let the roasted vegetables cool for 5 minutes before blending, or the heat can expand and create a mess
  • The sauce thickens as it sits, so have that pasta water ready even if you think you do not need it
03 -
  • Wear an apron, because beet stains on clothes are no joke
  • Leftover sauce keeps for two days and makes an incredible pizza base

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