Velvet Valentine's Beet Pasta 💖
A beautiful, vibrant pink pasta dish perfect for a special occasion like Valentine's Day. This healthy and colorful meal features a creamy beet sauce blended with cottage cheese and Parmesan, coating your favorite pasta.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Pan
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 pound your favorite pasta
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 6 to 8 ounces cooked and peeled beets (about 1-2 medium beets), roasted for best color
- 1 cup reduced-fat cottage cheese
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- fresh parsley Finely chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- First, get a large pot of salted water boiling. Toss in your chosen pasta and cook it according to package directions until it's perfectly al dente. Before draining, make sure to scoop out about 1 cup of that starchy pasta water – you'll need it! Then, drain the pasta and pop it back into the pot.
- While your pasta is cooking its way to perfection, grab a pan and warm it over medium-low heat. Drizzle in the olive oil. Once it's shimmering, add your thinly sliced garlic. Let it gently cook until it turns a lovely golden brown, usually just 1 to 2 minutes. Then, set it aside. (Quick tip: If you're using garlic powder, just skip this step and add the oil and powder directly to your blender later!)
- Now for the magic sauce! In your blender, combine the cooked beets, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Add in the toasted garlic and the olive oil from the pan. Blend everything until it's wonderfully smooth and creamy – a beautiful pink transformation!
- Pour this vibrant beet sauce right over your cooked pasta in the pot. Give it a good stir until every strand is beautifully coated in the creamy pink goodness. If your pasta has cooled, you can gently warm it on low heat, adding a little extra pasta water if the sauce feels too thick. Serve it up hot, with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a dash of fresh parsley if you like. Enjoy your deliciously healthy and colorful meal!
Notes
This Velvet Valentine's Beet Pasta is not just visually stunning but also packed with delicious flavors and healthy ingredients. It's a fantastic way to enjoy a unique pasta dish.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 410 kcal, Total Carbs: 62g, Net Carbs: 59g, Fats: 9g, Protein: 18g.
