Pink Pasta Beet Cream (Printable)

A creamy pasta dish featuring roasted beets blended into a rich, pink-hued sauce with subtle lemon notes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium beets, peeled and cut into cubes
02 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
03 - 1 small shallot, peeled and quartered

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ 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 for pasta water
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp lemon zest
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F for roasting the vegetables.
02 - Place beet cubes, garlic, and shallot on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast for 25-30 minutes until beets are tender and caramelized.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
05 - Combine roasted beets, garlic, shallot, heavy cream, Parmesan, butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding pasta water as needed.
06 - Return pasta to the pot, pour beet cream sauce over, and toss to coat evenly. Heat gently over low heat for 1-2 minutes if needed.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The way beets transform into an incredibly silky, luxurious cream sauce still feels like magic every single time
  • Guests never guess the secret ingredient until you tell them, making it the ultimate dinner party showstopper
02 -
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so have your pasta water ready to thin it out if needed
  • Residual heat from the roasted vegetables can warm the cream too quickly, so let them cool for just a few minutes before blending
03 -
  • Wear gloves when peeling and chopping raw beets to avoid stained hands that last for days
  • A dollop of ricotta swirled in right before serving adds incredible creaminess and visual contrast

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