Best Beet Pasta Recipes

FARFALLE PASTA WITH BEET VINAIGRETTE AND PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• For the parsley pesto: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the kosher salt until the water tastes like seawater and stir to blend. Add the parsley and cook for 1 minute, and then remove with a slotted spoon. Immediately plunge leaves into an ice bath and allow to cool, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the leaves slightly and then put them in the blender with the sugar and olive oil. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add some water to facilitate blending. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the scallions and set aside in a bowl large enough to hold the pasta.
• For the beet vinaigrette: Put the beet pieces in a medium saucepan and add 1 cup of water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Allow it to reduce until there is about 1/4 cup liquid. Add the remaining 1 cup of water and reduce again until you have only 1/4 cup left. Season to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in the red wine vinegar and olive oil.
• For the pasta: In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt; the pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the pasta to the pot and stir so it doesn't stick to the bottom as it cooks. Cook the pasta until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting) 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving some pasta cooking liquid in case you need it later.
• To serve: Pour the pasta into the bowl with the parsley pesto. Add the beet vinaigrette and butter and toss to blend. Add the Parmesan and finely sliced beet greens, if using. Serve immediately. Alternatively, you can drizzle the red beet vinaigrette over the pasta for a different color effect.

BEET PASTA

Steps:

• Place beet into a saucepan; pour in enough water to cover beet by 1 inch. Bring water to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until beet is easily pierced with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove beet to a plate to cool. When cool enough to handle, remove and discard peel.
• Place beet in the bowl of a mini food processor. Add 2 teaspoons olive oil and process until pureed. Measure out 4 tablespoons beat puree and reserve the remainder for another use.
• Mix together 00 flour and semolina flour on a marble or wooden work surface. Make a well in the center and crack in egg; add 4 tablespoons beet puree, salt, and remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Gently beat egg with a fork, incorporating the surrounding flour, until batter is runny. Bring remaining flour into the batter using a bench scraper until dough forms a ball. Mix in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together and has the consistency of play dough; dough should not be sticky.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is soft and smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 8 sections, working with 1 section at a time.
• Attach the pasta roller to your Kitchen Aid® or use a pasta machine.
• Use the #6 setting and pass the dough through the roller, folding it in on itself, 5 times in total. There will be holes in the pasta sheet the first few times which is normal.
• Change the setting to #3 and put the sheet of pasta through once. Set aside and cover with a slightly damp towel.
• Remove the roller from the pasta machine and attach the fettuccine cutter. Process each sheet and hang to dry. Allow the pasta to dry slightly, this will produce cooked pasta that is slightly al dente.

BEET PASTA WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle beets with oil and season with salt. Wrap tightly in foil and roast until tender, 1 hour. Peel and chop once cool.
• Pulse beets, walnuts, and tomatoes in a food processor. Season with salt and red-pepper flakes.
• Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup water, and return to pot.
• Toss with beet mixture, adding pasta water until creamy. Serve with ricotta, a drizzle of oil, and red-pepper flakes.

PASTA, RICOTTA AND BEET-GREEN PIE

Steps:

• To make the pasta, combine the water and olive oil in a large bowl. Gradually stir in the salt and enough flour to make a soft, pliable dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Shape it into a ball, cover with a damp towel and let rest for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, to make the filling, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the beet greens and blanch until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain well, squeeze dry and chop coarsely.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the onion and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the beet greens and saute for 3 minutes more. Let cool. In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, eggs, marjoram, salt and pepper. Stir in the beet green mixture. Set aside.
• Divide the dough into 4 pieces, making 2 pieces slightly larger than the others. On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch the larger pieces into rectangles about 12 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches and the smaller ones into rectangles about 11 by 6 inches, keeping the unused portions wrapped in a damp towel while you work.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush an 11 3/4-by-7 1/2-by-1 3/4-inch glass baking dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Place 1 of the larger rectangles in the bottom of the dish and brush with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta filling over the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Top with 1 of the smaller rectangles, brush with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, spread with 1/3 of the ricotta filling and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan.
• Repeat with the remaining small rectangle, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, the remaining ricotta filling and 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Top with the remaining pasta sheet and press the bottom sheet and the top sheet together, folding them over to form a rim. Brush with the remaining teaspoon of olive oil.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil and continue baking until the pasta is tender throughout, about 15 minutes longer. Preheat the broiler. Uncover the dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Broil until the cheese is browned, about 1 minute. Cut into squares and serve.

ROASTED BEET PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, toss beets with oil and salt to coat.
• Place on lined baking sheet and place in 400 degree oven for 1 hour.
• Remove and allow to cool (about 20 minutes).
• Peel beets under running water and cut into 1/4 inch dice.
• Then puree in food processor.
• To make pasta: Make a mound of the flour in the center of a large wooden cutting board.
• Make a well in the middle of the flour and add the eggs, beet puree and any other flavorings you choose.
• Using a fork, beat together the eggs, oil and flavorings and begin to incorporate the flour starting with the inner rim of the well.
• As you expand the well, keep pushing the flour up to retain the well shape.
• Do not worry that this initial phase looks messy.
• The dough will come together when 1/2 of the flour is incorporated.
• Start kneading the dough with both hands, using the palms of your hands primarily.
• Once you have a cohesive mass, remove the dough from the board and scrape up any left over crusty bits.
• Lightly flour the board and continue kneading for 3 more minutes.
• The dough should be elastic and a little sticky.
• Continue to knead for another 3 minutes, remembering to dust your board when necessary.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Note: do not skip the kneading or resting portion of this recipe, they are essential for a light pasta.
• Roll out to four 7 inch by 16 inch sheets and cut in whatever shape you wish.

FRESH BEET PASTA DOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss beets with oil and a large pinch of salt. Wrap tightly in a parchment-lined piece of foil, and place on a baking sheet. Roast until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool. Rub beets with paper towels to remove skins. Puree in a food processor (you should have 1/2 cup puree).
• Add eggs and yolk to puree in food processor, and process until combined. Add flour and 1 heaping teaspoon salt, and process until dough just comes together, about 20 seconds.
• Transfer dough to a well-floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes, adding up to 2 tablespoons flour if dough is sticky. Place on a piece of parchment and cover with an inverted bowl, or wrap tightly in plastic; let rest for 1 to 2 hours.
• Cut dough into 8 pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time (keep the remaining pieces covered with the inverted bowl), flatten dough into an oblong shape slightly thinner than the pasta machine's widest setting (number 1). Dust dough very lightly with flour, and feed through machine. Fold lengthwise into thirds and rotate 90 degrees. Repeat twice on same setting to smooth dough and increase its elasticity.
• Turn the dial to next narrower setting. Pass dough through twice, gently supporting it with your palm. Continue to press dough, passing it through ever-finer settings, two passes on each setting, until sheet is almost translucent and very thin but still intact (number 5 of 8 on a KitchenAid pasta roller). The dough will stretch to about 16 inches long. If dough bubbles or tears, pass it through again, and dust with flour if the dough is sticking.
• For farfalle, lasagna squares, or ravioli: Place rolled sheet on a lightly floured surface, and cut into desired shape, using a dry brush to dust flour off if needed. Cook according to corresponding recipe. For ribbon pastas: Place dough on a drying rack until slightly tacky, 10 to 15 minutes, and then cut into strands using a pasta machine, cutting attachment, or by hand. Drape over rack until strands are semidry and don't stick together, about 20 minutes. Cook immediately, or lay in a single layer on a baking sheet dusted with semolina, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

PASTA WITH BEET GREENS, BLUE CHEESE, AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add greens and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 minutes. Add pasta and hazelnuts; toss to combine. Add cheese and toss, adding enough pasta water to create a creamy sauce, 1 minute. Drizzle with oil and serve.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH "PASTA" WITH TOMATO-BEET SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Cut squash in half; remove seeds and fibers. Place squash cut sides down in 15x10x1-inch pan. Carefully pour 2 cups cold water in pan.
• Bake squash about 45 minutes, or until knife can easily penetrate skin. Carefully turn each over to cool 20 minutes. Scrape insides out with fork into bowl.
• While squash is baking, make sauce. In 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil, garlic, dill, mustard seed, salt, pepper and red pepper over medium heat, shaking pan occasionally, until garlic is golden brown.
• Add beets and tomatoes; simmer abut 20 minutes or until beets are tender. Remove from heat. Stir in Dijon mustard and parsley. Serve 1/2 cup sauce over 1 cup spaghetti squash pasta.

BEET PASTA WITH LEMON CREAM SAUCE AND SALMON

Steps:

• Directions for Beet Pasta: Chop off the beet greens (if they are still attached.) Place the beets in a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Simmer beets on medium heat for 45 - 60 minutes, or until the skins can be rubbed off with your fingers. To test one, fish one of the beets out of the pot with a pair of tongs and run it under cold water until it's cool enough to handle. Remove the skins (they should rub off easily using your fingers.) Once beet is cooked and skinned, use a spiralizer to create beet pasta. Set aside.
• Directions for Lemon-Creme Sauce: Add coconut oil to a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic cloves and sauté for an additional minute. While onion is cooking, steam the cauliflower florets for 5 minutes or until tender. Once cauliflower is tender, add the onions, garlic, cauliflower, lemon juice, zest, coconut milk, sea salt, black pepper, and cumin to a blender and process until smooth. Set aside.
• Directions for Broiled Salmon: Preheat the broiler. Line a sheet pan with foil. Mix cumin, paprika, mustard powder, garlic powder, and salt together. Sprinkle spice mixture over salmon. Lay flat on sheet pan. Broil the salmon for 7 minutes, or until the salmon is flaky and cooked through and the internal temperature has reached at least 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Divide beet pasta between two plates. Add the blended sauce back to the saucepan. Simmer for 1 minute then serve hot over beet pasta. Top with broiled salmon and garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.

BEET PASTA WITH VODKA VINAIGRETTE AND OSETRA CAVIAR

Steps:

• In a bowl whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, vodka and salt and pepper. This can be done ahead of time.
• In a large pasta pot, mix together 6 cups of water and the beet juice, bring to a boil and cook the pasta until tender. Drain the pasta into a colander, discarding the beet juice and water, and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the pasta thoroughly before dressing.
• To serve, toss the pasta with the vinaigrette. Using a large fork, twirl the pasta into coils and place the coiled mounds on a large serving platter. On top of each mound, place a dollop of crme frache, some chopped egg, capers, red onion, chives and lastly the caviar. Garnish with freshly ground pepper.

WHEAT PASTA WITH SAUTEED BEET GREENS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Separate greens from beets; set beets aside for later use. Wash greens well.
• Remove stems from greens; set stems aside. If necessary, cut greens into edible pieces.
• Cook pasta according to directions on its box. Drain and set aside.
• While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a pot or pan large enough to hold all of the greens.
• Add garlic and cook over medium heat until slightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add stems and onions, and cook until stems are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add greens and cook, stirring often, until wilted, about 4-5 minutes.
• Turn heat to low. Add remaining ingredients, and toss until everything is mixed and heated through.

PASTA WITH BEET GREENS, BLUE CHEESE AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add greens and cook, stirring until tender, about 2 minutes. Add pasta and hazelnuts; toss to combine. Add cheese and toss, adding enough pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Drizzle with oil and serve. Note: to toast hazelnuts, spread the shelled nuts in a shallow pan and roast in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until the skins crack. Rub warm nuts with a rough cloth or between your hands to remove as much skin as possible.