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Blender Beet Pasta Sauce with Walnuts Recipe

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  • Author: Ivy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Sauces & Condiments
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Description

This vibrant and creamy Blender Beet Pasta Sauce with Walnuts is a unique and flavorful way to enjoy beets. Combining roasted beets, toasted walnuts, parmesan, and a hint of balsamic vinegar, this sauce is easily blended to a smooth consistency and tossed with your favorite pasta for a colorful and nutritious meal. The sauce is subtly sweetened with honey and balanced with garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes, making it perfect for a quick yet sophisticated weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

For the Sauce

  • 2 packages (8 oz each) pre-cooked beets (such as Love Beets)
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup pasta cooking water (as needed)

For the Pasta and Garnish

  • 1 lb pasta of choice
  • Extra Parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • Chopped toasted walnuts (for garnish)
  • Fresh basil or microgreens (for garnish)
  • Drizzle of olive oil (for finishing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Beets: Pat the pre-cooked beets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps achieve a smoother sauce consistency.
  2. Add Ingredients to Blender: Place the dried beets, toasted walnuts, grated Parmesan, garlic cloves, olive oil, heavy cream, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest into a high-powered blender.
  3. Blend the Sauce: Start blending on low speed and gradually increase to high speed until the mixture is very smooth and creamy.
  4. Adjust Consistency: Slowly add pasta cooking water, a little at a time, blending as needed until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency for tossing with pasta.
  5. Taste and Season: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or honey to balance the flavors as desired.
  6. Cook and Toss Pasta: Cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some cooking water. Toss the hot pasta with the beet sauce, adding additional pasta water if needed to coat the noodles evenly.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta topped with extra Parmesan, chopped toasted walnuts, fresh basil or microgreens, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil for added richness and flavor.

Notes

  • Pre-cooked beets like Love Beets save time and provide consistent texture and sweetness.
  • To toast walnuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with a non-dairy cream for a lighter or vegan version (though parmesan would also need substitution).
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase red pepper flakes to taste.
  • Reserve pasta cooking water wisely to control sauce thickness without thinning flavors.
  • This sauce can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reblend if it thickens before serving.

Find it online: https://ivysrecipes.com/blender-beet-pasta-sauce-with-walnuts-recipe/