Description
Crimson beet pasta sauce delivers a stunning Mediterranean-inspired culinary adventure that blends earthy roasted beets with creamy ricotta. Silky smooth and elegantly balanced, this unexpected sauce elevates your pasta with rich colors and robust flavors you’ll absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 medium beets, roasted and peeled
- 2 cloves garlic, roasted
Dairy and Cream:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional for vegan)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and wrap whole beets and garlic cloves in aluminum foil, ensuring a tight seal to lock in moisture.
- Roast the wrapped vegetables for 35-40 minutes until beets become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove from oven and allow ingredients to cool completely, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully unwrap the foil and gently peel the beets, removing skin with minimal resistance.
- Slice roasted beets into manageable chunks and peel garlic cloves.
- Transfer beet pieces, roasted garlic, cream, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes into a high-powered blender.
- Pulse and blend the mixture until achieving a completely smooth, vibrant magenta sauce with no visible chunks.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of cooking water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Return pasta to the pan and pour beet sauce over medium-low heat, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
- Warm the sauce for 1-2 minutes, adding reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.
- Plate immediately and garnish with additional grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Roasting beets at high temperature caramelizes their natural sugars, intensifying the sweet and earthy flavor profile of the sauce.
- Use gloves when handling beets to prevent staining hands and cutting boards with their vibrant red color.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or cashew cream to reduce calories and add tangy complexity.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting chili flakes or using alternative spices like smoked paprika for different flavor dimensions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg