Crushed Beets & Whole Wheat Spaghetti

🥘 Ingredients

• basil
  2 bunch
• garlic (divided)
  4 clove
• hazelnuts
  2 oz
• lemon
  2 unit
• olive oil
  2 tbsp, ½ tbsp
• pasta water
  ⅓ cup
• pepper
• pre-cooked beets
  1 lb
• red onion
  2 unit
• ricotta cheese
  8 oz
• salt
• whole wheat spaghetti
  12 oz

🍳 Cookware

• large pot
• medium bowl
• large pan
• small bowl
• Plate

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a large pinch of salt . Once boiling, add whole wheat spaghetti to the boiling water and cook for ⏱️ 8-10 minutes , until al dente. Reserve pasta water , then drain.

   salt, whole wheat spaghetti: 12 oz, pasta water: ⅓ cup
2. 2

   Meanwhile, halve, peel, and thinly slice red onion . Mince or grate garlic and crush 1 garlic clove with the side of your knife. Zest and halve lemon . Thinly slice basil leaves and reserve the stems.

   red onion: 2 unit, garlic: 4 clove (divided), lemon: 2 unit, basil: 2 bunch
3. 

   3

    Roughly chop pre-cooked beets . In a medium bowl , mash the beets with a fork or potato masher until completely smooth. Mix in olive oil , the minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper .

   pre-cooked beets: 1 lb, olive oil: ½ tbsp, salt, pepper
4. 

   4

    Heat a large pan over medium heat, then add hazelnuts and cook, tossing, until fragrant, ⏱️ 2-3 minutes . Set aside to cool, then roughly chop.

   hazelnuts: 2 oz
5. 

   5

    In the same pan you toasted the hazelnuts in make the basil oil: heat olive oil over medium heat along with the basil stems and crushed garlic. Cook for ⏱️ 2-3 minutes , until fragrant. Set basil oil aside in a small bowl .

   olive oil: 2 tbsp
6. 

   6

    In the same pan, add the onion and cook, tossing, for ⏱️ 5 minutes , until soft. Season with salt and pepper. Add the beet mixture, pasta, pasta water, and a squeeze of lemon to the pan. Cook, tossing until thoroughly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. 7

   Plate the pasta, then drizzle with basil oil and dollop with ricotta cheese . Sprinkle with lemon zest, basil, chopped hazelnuts, salt, and pepper. Enjoy!

   ricotta cheese: 8 oz