Like a lot of people, I started using TikTok a while ago. It’s easy to get sucked in over there, but it’s a fun social media app with a lot of really great content, many of which are food creators. It’s a great place to discover new dishes, although I’m sometimes let down by recipes that go viral there and look good but disappoint in real life. So I decided to share some of my favorite viral TikTok recipes that I have tried and tested myself, like TikTok Cookie Croissants, TikTok Cinnamon Rolls, and this vibrant and delicious pasta! This delicious bowl of beet and goat cheese pasta is one of those recipes! Wishbone Kitchen shared her version of this recipe, which garnered more than 1 million likes on TikTok. Since we love beets at our house, I knew it was one that we had to try. I super duper loved this shockingly pink pasta recipe. It’s the perfect meatless meal idea for a light lunch or you can serve it with some simple grilled chicken or other protein for a healthy dinner. The pairing of roasted beets and goat cheese is classic, and the added crunch from the toasted pistachios and zing of fresh basil are the perfect combination. And if you enjoy vegetable-forward pasta recipes, be sure to also try our Roasted Red Pepper Sauce next!
Why We Love This Recipe
Simple. Rather than making the sauce on the stovetop, you just throw the vegetables into a pan to roast until tender, then toss them in a blender before pouring over the pasta. Fresh. This isn’t a heavy pasta sauce loaded with cream and fat. It’s light and bright tasting while being satisfying thanks to the variety of textures and big flavors. Colorful. They say to eat the rainbow and this beet pasta recipe certainly has the wow factor thanks to the lovely magenta color.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Beets – You either love them or you hate them. I recommend using fresh beets that you roast yourself for the best results rather than using canned beets. Pasta – The viral TikTok version uses rigatoni but we liked it with fettuccine best. Farfalle (bowtie pasta) and even shells or orecchiette would be good too. Onion – We’ll roast this in the same pan with the beets for more flavor and depth to our sauce. Garlic – No need to mince since they will get blended up with the sauce. Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan rather than the powdered stuff. Pistachios – Roasted, salted pistachios are fantastic with the flavor of the beets and goat cheese with a nice added crunch, but you could sub in pine nuts or walnuts instead. Use whatever you have on hand! Goat cheese – The original TikTok version that went viral used soft goat cheese. You can use plain or marinated goat cheese, or switch it our for a similar creamy cheese like ricotta, burrata, or a whipped feta made with feta and cream cheese (see notes). Olive oil Salt & pepper Crushed red pepper flakes Fresh herbs – I tossed a few sprigs of fresh thyme onto my veggies before roasting but you could use dry thyme instead. To finish, some hand torn or chiffonaded basil leaves are my favorite, although Wishbone Kitchen used fresh mint leaves on hers.
How to Make Beet Pasta Sauce
Tips for Success
Make sure the beets are cooked through. If they don’t pierce easily, the beets should be cooked longer or they won’t break down as well for the sauce. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water. The starchy, salted water that is left after cooking pasta not only adds wonderful flavor to pasta dishes but it gives a great silky texture and glossiness that you won’t get just by adding water or broth. Make it creamy. For a creamier, richer version, you can add ½ to 1 cup of heavy cream when you combine the beet sauce and the pasta. Cook over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
What to Serve With Beet Pasta
This makes an excellent course on its own, but pairs well with other elements of a meal like proteins, salads, and other sides. Here are some of our favorites.
Soft Garlic Parmesan Homemade Breadsticks Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe 15 Minute Pan Seared Salmon Pan Seared Scallops Pan Seared Lamb Chops
More Pasta Recipes
Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Tomatoes and Basil Cajun Pasta with Sausage and Peppers Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe Creamy White Chicken Lasagna One Pot Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
Lemon Tarragon Pasta Salad
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