Pink Sauce with Beets & Goat (Print Version)

Creamy pink sauce with beets and goat cheese. A vibrant delight for pasta night.

# Ingredients:

01 - 16 ounces pasta (e.g., Rigatoni)
02 - 15 ounces canned beetroot
03 - 2 large shallots
04 - 3 cloves garlic
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - ¼ teaspoon salt
07 - ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from approximately ½ lemon)
10 - 4 ounces goat cheese
11 - ¼ cup milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
12 - ½ ounce fresh basil (for garnish)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F and bring 10 cups of water to a boil for the pasta.
02 - Drain and rinse the canned beetroot, peel the garlic and shallots. Slice the shallots lengthwise and leave the garlic cloves whole.
03 - Place beetroot, garlic, and shallots on a large baking sheet. Add olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Drizzle honey over the vegetables and roast on the top rack for 15 minutes.
04 - Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
05 - Transfer the roasted vegetables to a high-powered blender or food processor. Add lemon juice and goat cheese. Blend until smooth.
06 - Slowly add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, while blending until fully incorporated.
07 - Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and stir to coat. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - Canned beets are convenient, but fresh beets can be used; peel and chop before roasting.
02 - Save vegetable scraps to make your own broth for future recipes.