Valentine Pink Beet Pasta (Printable)

Silky pink pasta with beet cream sauce, basil, and Parmesan for a vibrant, elegant meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 It:

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

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The color alone makes it unforgettable, whether for Valentine's Day or just surprising someone on a Tuesday
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant
02 -
  • Work quickly once the sauce is blended because the vibrant color starts to fade if it sits too long
  • That pasta water is liquid gold, do not drain it completely or your sauce might turn into a sticky glop
03 -
  • If the sauce looks too vibrant, almost neon, it is probably perfect and will mellow slightly when tossed with the pasta
  • Use a high-speed blender if you have one to ensure the sauce is completely silky with no beet fibers

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