Pink Pasta Beet Cream (Printable)

A creamy dish featuring penne tossed in a smooth pink beet sauce with delicate herbs and parmesan.

# What You'll 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

# How To Make It:

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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The color alone makes it a showstopper dinner party centerpiece
  • Roasting the beets first gives the sauce an incredible depth of flavor
  • It comes together faster than you think, perfect for weeknight elegance
02 -
  • Beet stains are no joke, so wear an apron and avoid light-colored surfaces when blending
  • The sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3 days, but the color may deepen slightly
  • If your blender struggles with the mixture, add more pasta water gradually to help it along
03 -
  • Wrap your beets in foil before roasting to contain the mess and steam them even more tender
  • Use a high-speed blender if you have one, it creates the smoothest restaurant-style texture

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