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beet and goat cheese pasta

Beetroot Goat Cheese Rigatoni

Creamy roasted beetroot pasta blended with goat cheese and feta, tossed with rigatoni and topped with brown butter sage, pistachios, and olive oil. A vibrant, flavorful pasta perfect for entertaining or Valentine’s Day.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • 1 blender or immersion blender

Ingredients
  

For Pasta and Sauce

  • 2 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta
  • 3 large beets quartered
  • 6 oz goat cheese plus more for topping 1/4
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • salt to taste

Toppings

  • crumbled goat cheese
  • fresh sage leaves
  • butter
  • chopped pistachios
  • olive oil to drizzle

Instructions
 

Roast the Beets

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Place quartered beets on a baking sheet.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
  • Roast for 45 minutes or until fork-tender.
  • Let cool slightly before blending.

Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  • Cook rigatoni until al dente, according to package instructions.
  • Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water, then drain.

Make the Beet Sauce

  • Add roasted beets, goat cheese, feta, garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to a blender or food processor.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Slowly add reserved pasta water until the sauce is creamy and pourable.

Brown Butter Sage

  • In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter until it begins to foam.
  • Continue cooking, swirling the pan, until butter turns golden brown and smells nutty.
  • Add fresh sage leaves and fry for 30–60 seconds until crisp.
  • Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.

Combine and Serve

  • Toss al dente rigatoni with beet sauce until evenly coated.
  • Serve warm topped with brown butter sage, chopped pistachios, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of Carapelli olive oil.

Notes

  • Cooking pasta al dente helps it hold up better when tossed with sauce.
  • Brown butter can go from perfect to burnt quickly—watch closely.
  • Pasta water helps emulsify the sauce and keeps it silky.