Beet Pasta with Vegan Feta, Roasted Garlic, and Basil Recipe
A vibrant and creamy beet pasta dish featuring roasted beets and garlic blended with vegan feta, olive oil, and lemon juice to create a smooth, flavorful sauce. Perfectly paired with cooked pasta and topped with fresh basil and crunchy walnuts for a delightful vegan meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian European-Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 package pasta (approx. 12-16 oz)
Roasted Vegetables
- 2 whole beets, raw
- 1 bulb garlic
Sauce
- 1 package vegan feta (230 g), drained and cubed
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup pasta cooking water
- Juice from ½ lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Additional vegan feta cubes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare Beets: Drizzle the raw beets with olive oil and wrap them tightly in foil to retain moisture and flavor during roasting.
- Prep Garlic: Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap it in foil similar to the beets.
- Roast Vegetables: Place the foil-wrapped beets and garlic in the oven preheated to 400°F (205°C) and roast for 40 minutes until tender.
- Cook Pasta: While the vegetables roast, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Prepare Vegan Feta: Open the vegan feta package, drain any excess liquid, and cut the feta into cubes for blending and garnish.
- Peel Beets: Once roasted, allow the beets to cool slightly then peel off their skins using your hands or a knife, revealing their vibrant flesh.
- Make Sauce: In a food processor, combine the peeled roasted beets, squeezed roasted garlic cloves, cubed vegan feta, olive oil, lemon juice, and reserved pasta water.
- Blend Sauce: Blend until very smooth and creamy, then season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Combine: Pour the bright, creamy beet sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the pasta with extra vegan feta cubes, fresh basil leaves, and chopped walnuts for a satisfying texture contrast. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Roasting the beets and garlic enhances their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta better.
- Use gloves when peeling beets to avoid staining your hands.
- This recipe is vegan and can be modified by using regular feta cheese if preferred.
- Chopped walnuts add a nice crunch, but you can substitute with pine nuts or almonds.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
