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Purple Pasta
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- #9427
Looking for a pasta that doesn't blend in? Try this colorful purple pasta made with beets and topped with roasted garlic and Parmesan. It's as tasty as it is eye-catching.
serves/makes:
ready in:
under 30 minutes
under 30 minutes
1 review
ingredients
3 small beets, well washed
1/2 pound spaghetti or other pasta
2 tablespoons butter or oil
1/4 cup roasted garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
directions
Fill a large saucepan 3/4ths full with water. Add the beets and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for 15 minutes or until the beets are tender. Remove the beets and place in an ice water bath to cool.
Add the pasta to the beet water. Cook until the pasta is al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
When the beets are cool enough to handle, remove the skins.
Mash or dice the beets and add them to a saucepan along with the butter, roasted garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the cooked pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through.
Adjust the seasoning as needed and serve the pasta topped with Parmesan cheese.
recipe tips
Cook the pasta in beet water for a deeper purple color.
Use gloves when handling beets to avoid staining your hands.
Grate the Parmesan cheese freshly for the best flavor.
Taste and adjust the seasoning after combining all ingredients.
Garnish with fresh herbs for added color and flavor.
Make sure the beets are tender before mashing or dicing.
Consider adding a protein like grilled chicken or tofu for a heartier dish.
Enjoy this unique and colorful pasta as a fun twist on traditional pasta dishes.
common recipe questions
Can I use canned beets instead of fresh ones?
Yes, canned beets can be used. They are already cooked, so you can skip the boiling step and directly add them to the pasta. You can use the liquid from the can when cooking the pasta to help create the purple color.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any pasta shape works well. Choose based on your preference or what you have on hand.
Is it necessary to peel the beets?
Yes, peeling the beets after boiling makes them more palatable, especially if mashing them.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can boil the beets and prepare the roasted garlic in advance, but it's best to cook the pasta fresh. Just be sure to save the cooking water from the beets.
What can I use instead of roasted garlic?
Minced fresh garlic sautéed in butter or oil can be used as an alternative to roasted garlic.
nutrition data
Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.
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reviews & comments
November 10, 2012
I used one of the roasted garlic recipes here on CDK to cook the garlic since the recipe didn't give specific instructions. For the beets, I actually used canned beets because I had some I needed to use up (fresh would be better but canned worked great). I really liked the dish! The roasted garlic goes great with the beets.