Valentine's Dreamy Beet Pasta 💖
Celebrate love with this beautiful and delicious Valentine's Dreamy Beet Pasta! A vibrant, creamy pink sauce made from roasted beets and garlic coats your favorite pasta for a healthy and romantic meal.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- High-Powered Blender
- Pot
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 medium beet
- 1 head garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 16 ounces medium pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep for Roasting: Preheat your oven to a hot 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Wash your beet, trim the ends, and chop it into cubes. Prepare the garlic head by slicing off the top quarter-inch, then peel away any loose papery skin while keeping the head intact.
- Roast the Goodness: Arrange the beet cubes and garlic head on the foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle them with half a tablespoon of olive oil and season the beets generously with salt and pepper. Cover everything tightly with another piece of foil, crimping the edges to seal in the steam. Bake for 30 minutes until the beets are tender and the garlic is soft and fragrant.
- Soak & Cook: While your veggies are roasting, place the raw cashews in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let them soak for 15 minutes to soften. In a separate pot, cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions until it's perfectly al dente.
- Sauté the Shallot: In a medium skillet, warm the remaining half tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced shallot and cook until it's soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Blend the Creamy Sauce: Carefully transfer the roasted garlic cloves (just squeeze them out of their skins), sautéed shallots, drained softened cashews, lemon juice, and vegetable broth into a high-powered blender. Add about half to two-thirds of the roasted beet cubes – you can add more or less to achieve your desired pink color and flavor intensity. Blend until the sauce is incredibly smooth and creamy.
- Combine & Serve: Drain your cooked pasta and immediately add it to the creamy beet sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is beautifully coated in the vibrant pink sauce. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm and enjoy your delightful, healthy meal!
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 534kcal, Total Carbs: 80g, Net Carbs: 72g, Fats: 25g, Protein: 18g.
