Description
Beetroot Pasta Sauce is a vibrant and delicious twist on traditional pasta sauces, offering a stunning pink color and rich flavor profile. This creamy sauce combines earthy beets with savory garlic and feta cheese (or paneer), creating a unique dish that is both nutritious and visually appealing. Quick to prepare in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you have unexpected guests. The recipe is versatile, easily adapting for vegan diets by substituting cheese with silken tofu or nutritional yeast. Enjoy this delightful sauce over your favorite pasta for a meal that impresses family and friends while nourishing your body.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked pasta
- 1 large beetroot (or 2 small)
- 100 grams feta cheese (or paneer)
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and chop the beetroot into pieces. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté chopped garlic until fragrant.
- Add the chopped beets and a pinch of salt; sauté for an additional couple of minutes. Pour in one tablespoon of water, cover, and simmer for about 13–15 minutes until tender.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve half a cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a blender, combine cooked beets, sautéed garlic, feta (or paneer), lemon juice, and a couple of tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth.
- Return drained pasta to the pot; pour the beet sauce over it, adding black pepper. Toss gently until well coated.
- Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water if needed, then garnish with crumbled feta and fresh herbs before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Blending/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg