Valentine Pink Pasta Beet Cream (Printable)

A vibrant pink pasta with silky beet cream sauce and fresh basil for a delightful 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 for serving
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving
15 - Cracked black pepper

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The color alone makes it worth making, but the flavor is what keeps you coming back.
  • Its secretly simple despite looking like something from a fancy restaurant.
  • The beet cream sauce manages to be both rich and somehow light at the same time.
02 -
  • Beet stains are stubborn so wear an apron and work carefully when blending.
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits so have that pasta water ready.
  • Blending hot mixtures can cause pressure buildup, so either vent your blender or let it cool slightly.
03 -
  • If you want an even brighter pink color, add a single raw beet along with the cooked ones.
  • The sauce freezes well for up to a month if you want to meal prep components in advance.

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