Valentine Pink Pasta Beet Sauce (Printable)
A romantic and vibrant pasta creation with a creamy beetroot sauce, perfect for a special Valentines Day dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 ounces dried fettuccine or linguine
02 - Salt, for pasta water
→ Beet Sauce
03 - 2 medium cooked beets (approximately 9 ounces), peeled and cubed
04 - 2/3 cup heavy cream
05 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1.5 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
→ Garnish
13 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Chopped fresh basil or parsley
15 - Cracked black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
03 - Incorporate the cooked beets into the skillet with the sautéed aromatics and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer this mixture to a blender or food processor.
04 - Add the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and optional pinch of nutmeg to the blender with the beet mixture. Process until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
05 - Return the prepared beet sauce to the skillet and warm gently over low heat. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
06 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the warmed beet sauce. Toss thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated and heated through.
07 - Serve the pasta in individual bowls, garnished generously with extra grated Parmesan cheese, freshly chopped basil or parsley, and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It truly is one of those dishes that stops people in their tracks; the vibrant pink hue is just so unexpected and beautiful.
- You’ll feel like a culinary magician, whipping up something so elegant with such surprising ease.
02 -
- For that truly luxurious, silky sauce, blend your beet mixture for longer than you think you need to; any lingering beet chunks can interrupt the smooth texture.
- Always, always save some pasta water – it's the secret ingredient for achieving the perfect sauce consistency and helps it cling beautifully to the pasta.
03 -
- For the deepest, most concentrated beet flavor, try roasting your beets whole before peeling and cubing them; it brings out a sweetness that boiling simply can't match.
- Always taste your sauce right before tossing with pasta and adjust seasonings, especially salt and lemon juice, to ensure it sings on your palate.