Blush with Love Pasta
I created this pasta for my Galentine’s at Ramz girl’s night dinner potluck. Guests had 3 rules for their dishes:
Dishes must be homemade.
They’ve got to be RED or PINK.
Just be creative and have fun with it!
Admittedly, it was a bit of a challenge and I knew some of my friends would be scratching their heads. So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and see how I could naturally bring those reds and pinks to life on the plate. The result? My “Blush with Love Pasta” and “Pink Deviled Eggs,” both turning out beautifully thanks to beets as my go-to natural dye.
Ingredients:
1 or 2 small-sized beets
Garlic
Olive Oil
Ricotta or Cottage cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Reserved pasta water (don’t toss it!)
Cooking Steps:
1) Cooking the Pasta: My friend found adorable heart-shaped pasta at TJ Maxx, perfect for the occasion. (Tip: Be sure to check out your local TJ Max/Homegoods for seasonal, themed food/pasta - they have the cutest finds!) Cook the pasta of your liking as per the instructions on the package. Remember to salt the water generously and I usually check around the 7 minute mark to see how the pasta is cooking — it can be slightly undercooked and finish cooking in the sauce later for a perfect al-dente finish!
2) Prep First, Stress Less: Prep the beets by boiling them until they’re tender. The time depends on their size but approximately for:
Small beets: 25-30 mins
Medium beets: 45-50 mins
Large beets: 50-60 mins or more
Start with cold water and bring it to a boil to reserve nutrients. Also, roast a head of garlic with olive oil for 20 minutes at 400°F.
3) All About that Beet Sauce: Blend the tender beets, roasted garlic, and your choice of cheese. Ricotta for creaminess or cottage cheese for a thicker, tangier touch. Add in olive oil, salt, pepper, and blend. Adjust the taste as needed and feel free to add lemon for a zing or nuts (such as walnuts or pine nuts) for texture.
4) When Pasta Met Sauce: Combine the pasta and sauce, adding the saved pasta water (the holy grail) if needed to get the right consistency.
5) The Plating Finale: Sprinkle feta cheese for contrast (you can even use this in the sauce itself for a tangy flavor if you’d like — it really is up to you and you cannot go wrong!) and add mint or basil for a fresh touch. You now have a dish bursting with color and flavor that’ll make anyone blush eating it.
I won’t lie, it was as fun to make as it was to look at. It’s a dish that let’s you get a bit creative….safely. And don't just stop here – the "Pink Deviled Eggs" recipe is worth checking out. For a glimpse of the entire color-filled feast, just pop over to the Hosting tab. Happy cooking! 🍽️