Description
Beetroot Pasta Sauce – creamy, vibrant, and naturally sweet, this stunning pink pasta sauce is made from roasted beets, garlic, and feta cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, this healthy, vegetarian sauce is a beautiful way to enjoy beets and makes an impressive weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- Pasta (uncooked) – 2 cups (170 g / 6 oz)
- Beetroots – 1 large or 2 small (170 g / 6 oz)
- Feta cheese or Paneer – 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Garlic cloves (chopped) – 2 to 3
- Olive oil – 2 tsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp (to taste)
- Crushed black pepper – 1/2 tsp (to taste)
- Fresh basil or cilantro – for garnish
Instructions
- Wash, peel and roughly chop the beetroots.
- Heat olive oil in a pan, add garlic and sauté for 30–40 seconds.
- Add beets and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 1–2 minutes, add 1 tbsp water, cover and cook for 13–15 minutes until fork tender.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Add cooked beets, garlic, feta (or paneer), lemon juice and 2–3 tbsp pasta water to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked pasta back to the pot, pour beetroot sauce over it and sprinkle black pepper.
- Toss gently, adding more pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Garnish with crumbled feta and fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Roast beets instead of steaming for deeper, sweeter flavor – wrap in foil and roast at 400°F for 45-60 minutes.
- Save pasta water – the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta perfectly.
- For a dairy-free/vegan version, use cashew cream or coconut yogurt instead of feta.
- Add 2 tbsp pine nuts or walnuts when blending for extra creaminess and nutty flavor.
- For a protein boost, add cooked chickpeas, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Freeze sauce in an ice cube tray for easy portioning – lasts up to 3 months.
- Serve with extra feta, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil on top.
- This sauce also works beautifully over gnocchi, zoodles, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta
- Method: Sauté, Blend, Boil
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Fusion