Beet Noodle Pasta (Printable Version)

Naturally colored pasta made with roasted beet puree, delivering earthy sweetness and stunning magenta hue in every bite.

# What You Need:

→ For the Beet Puree

01 - 1 medium beet (about 6 oz), trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Pinch of salt

→ For the Pasta Dough

04 - 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 cup roasted beet puree (from above)

→ For Serving

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
09 - Fresh herbs (basil, parsley), chopped
10 - Grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese

# How-to Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wrap the beet in foil, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Roast for 45-60 minutes until fork-tender. Cool slightly, then peel.
02 - Puree the roasted beet in a food processor or blender until smooth. Measure out 1/4 cup for the dough; reserve any extra for another use.
03 - On a clean surface, mound the flour and make a well in the center. Add eggs, salt, and the beet puree to the well.
04 - Using a fork, gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic (add more flour if sticky).
05 - Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
06 - Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out with a pasta machine or rolling pin to your desired thickness (about 1-2 mm). Cut into noodles (tagliatelle, fettuccine, or shape of choice).
07 - Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and toss with butter or olive oil, fresh herbs, and cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The color alone turns a weeknight dinner into an occasion without any extra effort.
  • Beets add natural sweetness and a silky texture you won't get from plain pasta dough.
  • It's surprisingly forgiving once you get the hang of kneading, and mistakes still taste delicious.
  • You can make the dough ahead and freeze it, saving yourself an hour when life gets busy.
02 -
  • The dough will look wetter than regular pasta dough because of the beet puree, but resist adding too much flour or it will turn tough and dry.
  • Fresh pasta cooks in a fraction of the time dried pasta does, so stay close to the pot or you'll miss the perfect moment.
  • If your dough tears while rolling, it probably needs more rest, so wrap it back up and give it another 10 minutes.
03 -
  • Wear an apron or old clothes because beet juice stains everything it touches, including wooden cutting boards and light-colored countertops.
  • If you don't have a pasta machine, a wine bottle works surprisingly well as a rolling pin, just flour it generously and take your time.
  • Taste a small piece of raw dough before rolling it all out, and if it feels too salty or bland, you can still adjust before committing.
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