Fall in love with Heart-Shaped Pasta in Pink Beetroot Sauce! A luscious blend of cream cheese, pistachio and vibrant beetroot makes this dish the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat. Simple, delicious, and naturally pink!

Forget about chocolate this year; treat your family to pink pasta in a heart shape! It’s so pretty—almost too precious to eat—and a great way to sneak in some veggies in their diet. A simple blend of beetroot, cream cheese, cream, and garlic topped with diced beetroot, feta crumbles, pistachio, and dill make this romantic dinner unforgettable!

Magic Pink Beetroot

This vibrant ruby-red root vegetable has a naturally sweet, earthy flavour, perfectly balanced by the tangy richness of cream cheese. Did you know that beets have been nicknamed “Nature’s Viagra” due to their ability to boost blood flow, enhancing energy and mood? No wonder they’re the ultimate Valentine’s Day ingredient!

Fun Facts About Beetroot

Beet “Blush”: Some people’s bodies can’t fully digest beet pigments, leading to pinkish pee or poop. This harmless phenomenon is called beeturia!
Mood Booster: Beets contain betaines, which may help boost serotonin (the “happy hormone”) and improve mood.
Considered a Love Potion: In some cultures, beets were considered an aphrodisiac! The Ancient Greeks believed eating beets could make you fall in love. In Hungary, couples used to carve their names into beets and eat them to ensure lasting love.
A Baby Food in Ancient Times: In ancient Greece and Rome, beets were often mashed and given to babies as one of their first foods—just like we do today!

The Technique

This sauce resembles a pesto and goes directly onto the pasta without any cooking. A splash of salted boiling pasta water helps keep it lukewarm while maintaining the heat of your pasta.

Also, I prefer to mash the garlic before blending to ensure no unexpected sharp bites in the pasta, especially since it’s raw.

Variations

Of course, the heart-shaped pasta is so sweet and perfect for Valentine’s Day, but fusilli, penne, rigatoni, etc., would also work wonderfully. Barilla always brings out the heart-shaped pasta just before Valentine’s Day, so look in your local supermarket.

All the toppings are optional; you can swap dill for basil, feta for fresh goat cheese, and pistachios for almonds or even pine nuts.

Storage

You can make this sauce immediately and store it in the fridge without any issues. Just omit the boiling water and add it right before serving.

Other Valentine’s Day Recipes

5 from 6 votes

Heart-Shaped Pasta in Pink Beetroot Sauce

By: Marie Breton

Course dinner

Cuisine Valentine’s Day

Servings people

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Celebrate love with Heart-Shaped Pasta in Pink Beetroot Sauce! This creamy, dreamy dish features heart-shaped pasta tossed in a velvety beetroot and cream cheese sauce for a naturally pink, romantic touch.

Ingredients

250 g heart-shaped pasta or fusilli, penne, etc.

Pink Sauce

2 beets pre-cooked
2 tbsp cream cheese
250 ml cream
1 handful pistachios
1 garlic clove crushed
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

Toppings *Optional

beetroot dices
crushed pistachios
feta crumbles
fresh dill or basil

Instructions

Start by dicing half a beetroot to decorate in the end, and add the rest of the beets in a food processor or blender.
Add the remaining sauce ingredients plus a ladle of boiling pasta water and blend until smooth.
Cook the pasta following the package instructions.
Mix the sauce into the hot pasta and serve with the toppings.