• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fast Recipe Food Blog
  • 15 Minutes or Less
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 15 Minutes or Less
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • 15 Minutes or Less
    • Recipe Index
    • Latest Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Recipes by Ingredient ยป Pasta

    Quick Beetroot Pasta

    Last modified: Feb 13, 2024 ยท Published by Adina, Feb 13, 2024 ยท Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Try this quick, delicious beetroot pasta recipe with cooked beets, walnuts, and feta cheese! Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends. With just a few ingredients and the time it takes for the pasta to cook, you're all set!

    beet pasta in a bowl and arugula salad in another bowl.

    This beetroot pasta recipe is easy to make and combines earthy, nutty, and creamy flavors. You'll love the tasty mix of ingredients that'll have you coming back for more! Just cook the pasta and blend the ingredients for this beautiful beetroot pasta sauce while you wait. Then, mix everything, and dinner is ready!

    If you like beetroot, try our Beetroot Apple Salad as well.ย 

    Jump to:
    • โญ๏ธWhy will you love this beet pasta sauce?
    • ๐Ÿ“‹Recipe ingredients and substitutions
    • ๐ŸAdditions
    • ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐ŸณHow to make beetroot sauce for pasta?
    • ๐Ÿ”ŠExpert Tips
    • โ“Recipe FAQs
    • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธWhat to serve it with?
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    โญ๏ธWhy will you love this beet pasta sauce?

    • Easy dinner: The recipe needs just a few ingredients and cooks quickly.ย 
    • Healthy and delicious: Beetroot is a nutritious ingredient packed with vitamins. 
    • Flavor: Beetroot is sweet and earthy, unlike typical tomato or cream sauces.
    • Colorful presentation: Beetroot colors your pasta beautifully, making it more appealing and perfect for guests or special occasions like Valentine's Day. Make Mascarpone Pasta next time; it is another pasta dish with a vibrant color.
    • Adaptable sauce: You can customize the beetroot pasta with spices, herbs, cream, or different kinds of cheese and nuts to suit your taste.ย 

    ๐Ÿ“‹Recipe ingredients and substitutions

    labeled ingredients for making beetroot sauce for pasta.
    • Beetroot: Vacuum-packed, cooked beets, not those preserved in vinegar.ย 
    • Pasta: Any kind of pasta noodles you like, either short or long shapes. You can also serve whole wheat pasta with this delicious beet sauce.ย 
    • Walnuts: They give structure to the sauce. Alternatively, you can use other nuts like pecans, pine nuts, or ground almonds.
    • Feta: Its saltiness and freshness fit the beetroot flavors perfectly. Make sure you use fresh feta, preferably feta in brine. Goat cheese, cow, or sheep feta are all delicious; use your favorite sort. Try our Pumpkin and Feta Pizza, too. Or these delightful Spinach and Feta Muffins.
    • Balsamic vinegar and lemon juice to lift the flavors of the beets. For extra flavor, and if your lemon is unwaxed, add a tiny beet of lemon zest to the sauce.ย 
    • Other ingredients: Garlic cloves, thyme, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper. Other fresh herbs like basil or oregano are great.
    • Pasta cooking water: You might also need a bit to thin the beetroot pasta sauce if necessary.ย 

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    ๐ŸAdditions

    • Cream, cream cheese, or creme fraiche: They add richness and a creamy texture to the sauce. If using single or heavy cream, leave out the water in the sauce.ย 
    • Cheese: Use Parmesan, goat, or blue cheese instead of feta.
    • Spinach: I find spinach great, and if I have a handful of fresh baby spinach in the fridge, I always add it. Mix it with the drained hot pasta; the heat will be enough to make it wilt.ย 
    • Arugula: It fits the dish perfectly. You can stir some chopped arugula into the dish or serve the beetroot pasta with a simple arugula salad with red onion and vinaigrette.ย 
    • Protein: You can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu, for instance. Or you can serve those on the side. Try Cast Iron Chicken Breast (the link opens in a new tab), Air Fryer Calamari, or Turkish Lamb Chops; they all go well with beetroot pasta.ย 
    • Extra serving of vegetables: Try sauteed kale, mushrooms, or zucchini.

    ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐ŸณHow to make beetroot sauce for pasta?

    cooked curly pasta shapes in a large cooking pot.

    Step #1: Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Once cooked, reserve about ยฝ cup of the cooking water and drain the rest.ย 

    ingredients for making beet sauce for pasta in a food processor before blending.

    Step #2: Place all the remaining ingredients in the food processor.

    blended beetroot sauce for pasta in a food processor.

    Step #3: Blend until perfectly smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water and blend again.

    mixing pasta with beetroot sauce with a spoon in a large pot.

    Step #4: Combine pasta and beet puree, adjust the taste, and serve immediately.

    ๐Ÿ”ŠExpert Tips

    Pasta: Make sure it is cooked al dente; too soft, mushy pasta is not nice.ย 

    Cooking water: Reserve about ยฝ - 1 cup of the pasta water and add it gradually to the sauce if it seems too thick. The starchy water also helps to emulsify the sauce, creating a silky texture that coats the pasta evenly.

    Balance the flavors with acid: To make a tasty sauce, balance the sweet beetroot with a bit of sourness (balsamic vinegar and lemon juice). They balance the sweetness and add brightness to the sauce.

    beetroot pasta with feta and walnuts served with arugula salad.

    โ“Recipe FAQs

    Can I use raw beets to make the pasta sauce?

    Absolutely, but it will take longer to cook the dish.ย 

    How to roast fresh beets?

    Wrap them in aluminum foil, place them on a baking sheet, and roast at 400ยฐF/ 200ยฐC until fork tender; the roasting time greatly depends on the size of the beets, but it will take at least 45-50 minutes for medium-sized pieces. Once soft, unwrap them, cool them slightly, and peel them before making the beet sauce.ย 

    Can I make beetroot pasta in advance?

    You can make and refrigerate it in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Cook the pasta and mix it with the sauce just before serving.

    How to store and reheat beetroot pasta sauce?

    Refrigerate leftover pasta in an airtight container for 2-3 days.ย 
    Reheat the pasta dish in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce, and stir frequently while reheating.ย 
    While freezing the dish is possible, I donโ€™t recommend it. Frozen and thawed pasta dishes tend to change their consistency, not for the better.ย 

    bowl full of beets pasta with feta.

    ๐Ÿฝ๏ธWhat to serve it with?

    • close up of golden instnat pot chicken legs on parchment paper.
      Instant Pot Chicken Legs
    • two pieces of panko chicken, one sliced, on a green plate with salad and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Panko Chicken
    • thermomix falafel served with tahini sauce, olives, lemon and vegetables.
      Easy Thermomix Falafel
    • soda bread without buttermilk close up on a wooden board.
      Soda Bread without Buttermilk
    Hungry for More Fast Recipes?

    Sign up for our Newsletter to receive new, quick, and delicious recipes in your inbox occasionally! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook

    Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    beetroot pasta topped with walnuts, feta and parsley.

    Quick Beetroot Pasta

    Try this quick, delicious beetroot pasta recipe with cooked beets, walnuts, and feta cheese! With just a few ingredients and the time it takes for the pasta to cook, you're all set!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Pasta Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 680kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Large cooking pot
    • Food processor
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients  

    • 1 lb pasta 450 g, Note 1
    • 1 lb cooked beetroot 450 g Notes 2, 3
    • ยฝ cup walnuts chopped, 60 g
    • 5.5 oz feta 150 g, Note 4
    • ยฝ teaspoon thyme Note 5
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 4 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar more to taste
    • ยฝ cup water 125 ml + more pasta cooking water if necessary
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons parsley freshly chopped, optional

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt generously, and cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve about ยฝ - 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the rest.
      1 lb pasta / 450 g
    • Make the beetroot sauce while the pasta cooks.
    • Blend sauce: Place the roughly chopped beetroots, walnuts, feta cheese, garlic, thyme, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and ยฝ cup (125 ml) water into the food processor. Blend until perfectly smooth.
      1 lb cooked beetroot / 450 g + ยฝ cup walnuts / 60 g + 5.5 oz feta / 150 g +ยฝ teaspoon thyme + 3 garlic cloves + 4 tablespoons lemon juice + 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar + ยฝ cup water + 1 teaspoon fine sea salt + ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • Adjust the sauce consistency: If your beetroot sauce is too thick, wait for the pasta to cook. Then, take some of its water and slowly stir it into the sauce. Keep adding until you reach the thickness you like.
    • Combine pasta and beetroot sauce. Adjust the taste with more balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, if necessary. Serve immediately sprinkled with parsley, more feta, and walnuts if desired (Note 6).

    Notes

    1. Pasta: Use any pasta shapes you like, short or long. Whole wheat pasta works, too.
    2. Beetroot: Vacuum-packed, cooked beets, not those preserved in vinegar.
    3. Roasted beets: You can also make this recipe with raw beetroot, but you must roast it first. Wrap the beets in aluminum foil, then put them on a baking sheet. Roast at 400ยฐF/200ยฐC until they're soft enough for a fork to go through easily. This usually takes about 45-50 minutes for medium-sized beets. Once soft, unwrap them, let them cool, and peel them before making the beetroot sauce.
    4. Feta in brine is best. You can use your favorite sort: goat, sheep, or cow feta.
    5. Thyme: While dried thyme works well in this recipe, I recommend using fresh, if available. Every time I make this dish using fresh thyme, I feel it tastes even better. You can substitute thyme with fresh basil; itโ€™s delicious as well.
    6. Side dish: My favorite salad to go with this dish is a simple arugula salad with finely chopped red onions and an oil and vinegar dressing (vinaigrette).

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1portion from 4 | Calories: 680kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 1134mg | Potassium: 755mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @thefastrecipe or tag #thefastrecipe!

    More Quick Pasta Recipes

    • asparagus pea pasta in a bowl on a round cutting board with a fork beside it.
      Asparagus Pea Pasta
    • pasta with smoked trout in a large bowl on a round cutting board.
      Pasta with Smoked Trout
    • viral turkish pasta dish from tik tok.
      Turkish Pasta Dish
    • vegetable lasagna with bechamel sauce in a baking dish with blue rim.
      Vegetable Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce

    Sharing is caring!

    12 shares
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Adina Beck the recipe writer, creator, and photographer behind The Fast Recipe Food Blog.

    Hi, I'm Adina! I am a foodie, creator, writer, and photographer, creating and photographing recipes for my blogs and clients.

    More about me โ†’

    Most Popular

    • collage of four pictures of different dipping sauces for calamari.
      Best Dipping Sauces for Calamari

    • small bowl of creamy ricotta mac and cheese on a white cloth with blue flowers.
      Creamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese

    • quick pork belly bites sprinkled with green onions on a white plate.
      Quick Pork Belly Bites

    • red dutch oven with mac and cheese without flour.
      Simple Mac and Cheese without Flour

    Easy Summer Dinner

    • italian zucchini soup topped with fresh basil in a large bowl.
      Italian Zucchini Soup

    • penne caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil in a bowl.
      Easy Penne Caprese

    • two pieces of panko chicken, one sliced, on a green plate with salad and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Panko Chicken

    • a bowl of dill lemon rice topped with a large sprig of dill and lemon slices.
      Dill Lemon Rice

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Check out our Web Stories

    Contact

    If you have any questions or want to work with us, please email us @ yummy@thefastrecipe.com

    If you would like to use one of our photos in your editorial content, please feel free to do so as long as a link back to thefastrecipe.com is provided. Thank you.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.