Valentine Pink Pasta Beet Cream (Print View)

Silky pink pasta tossed in a creamy beet sauce garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried fettuccine or linguine
02 - 1 tbsp salt for pasta water

→ Beet Cream Sauce

03 - 2 medium cooked beets (about 9 oz), peeled and chopped
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 tsp lemon zest
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
15 - Cracked black pepper

# How to Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté shallot for 2 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Transfer shallot mixture and oil to a blender. Add chopped beets, heavy cream, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until completely smooth and silky.
04 - Return sauce to skillet and warm gently over low heat, stirring constantly. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately topped with fresh basil, additional Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The stunning pink color makes any dinner feel like a special occasion without any artificial food coloring
  • Beets create an incredibly velvety sauce texture that coats pasta beautifully
  • This recipe transforms earthy beets into something elegant and surprisingly rich
02 -
  • Beet sauce stains everything it touches so wear an apron and avoid light colored surfaces
  • The sauce continues to thicken as it sits so have that pasta water ready to loosen it up
  • Blending hot liquids can cause splattering so either cool slightly or vent the blender carefully
03 -
  • Use a high speed blender for the silkiest texture; any beet bits will make the sauce feel grainy
  • Roasting your own beets instead of boiling them intensifies their natural sweetness and creates deeper flavor
  • If the sauce tastes too earthy add another tablespoon of cream or a bit more Parmesan to mellow it out

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