Beet Pasta Sauce Recipe
This vibrant Beet Pasta Sauce offers a nutritious and colorful twist on traditional pasta sauces. Combining roasted or steamed beets with creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheese, the sauce is blended to a smooth consistency and tossed with your favorite pasta. Garlic and onion gently sautéed in olive oil add depth and aroma, making this sauce both flavorful and visually stunning. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup finely diced onion (from 1 small onion)
- 2 cups cooked beets (steamed or roasted)
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound pasta
Optional Garnishes
- Lemon zest
- Cracked black pepper
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, stirring frequently. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the mixture is very soft and fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Warm Beets: Add the cooked beets to the skillet and stir to coat them evenly in the olive oil and aromatics. Cook for 2 minutes to warm through and combine flavors.
- Blend the Sauce: Transfer the beet and onion mixture, ricotta cheese, and grated Parmesan to a blender. Blend until very smooth, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to achieve a silky, pourable sauce consistency.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Pour as much sauce as you’d like over the cooked pasta. Toss gently to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Save any remaining sauce for later use; it keeps well refrigerated or frozen.
- Serve: Plate the sauced pasta and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best flavor, roast or steam the beets ahead of time until tender.
- Adjust the sauce consistency with pasta water to your liking.
- Leftover sauce freezes well and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, but tubular or ribbon varieties work particularly well with this sauce.
- If you prefer a vegan version, substitute ricotta and Parmesan with vegan cheese alternatives.
Keywords: beet pasta sauce, beet sauce recipe, creamy beet pasta, vegetable pasta sauce, healthy pasta sauce
Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/beet-pasta-sauce-recipe/
