barbie pasta
Beet pasta is one of those recipes that looks like you spent an hour styling it for a magazine but it’s basically just roasted vegetable, cheese, and a blender doing all the emotional labor. Roasting the beets makes them sweeter and less “dirt-forward” and when you puree them with ricotta, goat cheese, parmesan, lemon zest, and soft roasted garlic, they turn into this glossy, neon pink sauce that clings to pasta like mac and cheeses cooler, slightly chaotic cousin. It’s creamy, tangy, earthy sweet, and finished with walnuts and basil for crunch and bite. Comfort food, but make it dramatic.
Are beets healthy?
Beets are genuinely healthy, not in a trendy way but in a ‘your body actually uses this’ way. They’re rich in dietary nitrates, which your body converts into nitric oxide, a compound that helps relax blood vessels and support circulation and blood pressure. They also bring fiber for digestion, folate for cell function, potassium for fluid balance, and protective called betalains (the pigments that make them violently pink). Historically beets have been used for centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean, first more for their greens and medicinal reputation, then later as a dependable storage crop that could survive winter and turn into everything from borscht to roasted sides. And yes, beet pee is a thing (harmless) but overall they are a solid, heart friendly vegetable with main character nutrients.
How to make Barbie pasta?
Preheat oven to 425f and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place the beets into a bowl and toss with 1-2 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and lay them out on the prepared sheet pan. Place the garlic in the middle and drizzle with little bit of olive oil. Bake for 45-60 minutes until the beets are tender. While the beets cool down cook pasta according to package directions. Using a food processor blend together ricotta, parmesan, goat cheese, 1 tbsp sour cream, and lemon zest. Then add the beets and squeeze the roasted garlic in. Discard the peel. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and pinch of nutmeg. Purée until smooth and check seasoning. If the sauce is too thick add 1 tbsp of sour cream and 1-2 tbsp pasta water. Drain pasta and place it in a large bowl. Mix in the beet sauce until everything is evenly coated. The texture and look should be similar to Mac and cheese. Serve with chopped walnuts, goat cheese and fresh basil!
Tips
Make sure the beets are fork tender before adding them in the food processor for a smooth sauce.
Use chamomile flowers for an even more beautiful presentation!
Recommended products to make this recipe
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