Roasted Beet Pasta Sauce

This beet pasta sauce, made with roasted beets, is a pink sauce packed with flavors and nutrients. Whipped in a blender, this beet pasta sauce recipe is smooth and perfect for the pasta!

Beets are a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that one would love to include in the diet. 

While their pink color is attractive, the problem is that only some people like their earthy taste. I wasn’t an exception; I started to love beets when I discovered the roasting process that made them crunchy and tasty. While this beet pasta sauce can be done with cooked beets or canned beets, I prefer roasted beets that significantly improve the taste and texture of beetroot.

Since then, I have made beet recipes that my family loves, like beet cucumber salad, beet chips, or versatile beetroot powder that I include in smoothies, porridge or yogurt.

Why you will love this recipe

Tackles the Earthy Beet Flavor

If you’re not a fan of the earthy taste of raw beets, this dish is perfect for you. We’ve got two tricks to handle that earthy flavor. Roasting the beets prior to whipping enhances the flavor. In addition, beets naturally have an earthy taste due to the presence of geosmin. Adding lemon helps tone down that earthiness. 

Nutrient-Rich

Loaded with essential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants from delicious beets and fresh herbs, this pink pasta sauce gives you a nutrient-rich pasta packed with flavors that the whole family loves.

For beetroot lovers, don’t miss this Instant Pot Beetroot Soup, it’s delicious and ideal for a cozy dinner.

Colorful & Simple

Besides being nutrient-rich, the beet adds colors to your plate. And the best part? It’s super simple to make. Enjoy the goodness without the fuss! For Green color pasta, try this broccoli pasta sauce.

Ingredients for Beet Pasta Recipe

Raw Beets

the roasting process makes it delicious. The only drawback is the time requirement of approximately 30-40 minutes for roasting.

Onion

While shallots offer the most delightful flavor, you can also use red or yellow onions. I’ll be roasting it alongside beets and garlic.

Garlic 

Roasting mellows the garlic’s taste, making it less intense and allowing for the use of up to 3 cloves.

Lemon juice

Please don’t skip the lemon juice, as it brightens the sauce’s color and counteracts the earthy flavor of the beets.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Roasting is complete with the addition of oil.

Rosemary

Rosemary complements beets well, just like fresh thyme.

Vegetable broth

Pasta 

Feel free to use your favorite pasta; I prefer rigatoni, penne or fettuccine pasta for this pasta dish.

Cheese 

You can opt for ricotta, feta, or goat cheese, and I’ll also be roasting it along with the vegetables. Goat cheese and beets pai well, I have used this combination when making this roasted beet salad.

Salt and Pepper to taste, you can also use this rosemary salt.

How to make Roasted Beet Pasta Sauce

First step: Roast the vegetables

Peel the fresh beets, onion, and garlic, and cut beetroot and onion into quarters or thick slices. Place them with cheese on the baking tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary, salt and pepper and roast in the oven at 400ºF/200ºC for 30-40 minutes (based on the size), flipping halfway. 

You don’t want the vegetables to burn just become soft and tender enough to blend.

Second step: Make the sauce

Put the cheese on the side and place the vegetables into a high speed blender with the vegetable broth and lemon juice. Adjust the quantity to get the desired consistency. Blend until smooth and chunks-free. 

Third step: Cook pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook pasta according to pasta cooking instructions. Once al dente, drain the pasta. But reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water. If the pasta has cooled, add a splash or two of pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.

Fourth step: Combine and serve

Pour the beet sauce over cooked and drained pasta and continue to cook on low heat until the sauce thickens to the desired consistency. Top the pasta with roasted cheese and fresh rosemary, you can also add some lemon zest to contrast yellow and pink.

What to Serve With Creamy Beet Sauce

Well. while this bright pink pasta sauce is great with any pasta you prefer, you can enjoy it in other ways.

Serve the sauce over cooked grains like quinoa, rice, or couscous for a wholesome and filling meal..

Pair the creamy beet sauce with grilled meats, such as lamb, pork, fish, or tofu.

This sauce works on sandwiches or wraps for a tasty and colorful condiment.

Serve the creamy beet sauce as a dip for raw vegetables, crackers, or breadsticks.

Pink Sauce Variations

Creamy Coconut Beet Pasta Sauce

add an Asian twist by adding coconut milk to the beet pasta sauce, creating a creamy sauce with an unique flavor.

add Nuts

Elevate the texture and richness by including chopped walnuts, cashews, or pistachios in the beet pasta sauce for a delightful nutty crunch.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Instead of baking the feta or ricotta cheese, sprinkle the finished beet pasta sauce with parmesan cheese just before serving. 

Vegan beet pasta sauce Storage

Store in a sealed container in the fridge. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator. Consume the beet pasta sauce within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

If you want to extend the storage time, consider freezing the sauce. Place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

More dips or pasta recipes

Is this recipe gluten free?

t depends on the pasta you choose. If you opt for gluten-free pasta or alternatives such as rice pasta, quinoa pasta, or other gluten-free options. Ensure that all other ingredients, including the vegetable broth, are also gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.

Is this sauce recipe vegan?

You can make the sauce recipe vegan by using vegan feta or omitting the cheese on top.