Beet Pasta with Goat Cheese, Pesto, Blistered Cherry Tomatoes & Seared Chicken

🕒 Prep Time: 20 mins

🍳 Cook Time: 30 mins

🍽 Serves: 4

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz of Val’s fresh organic Beet Pasta

• 2 medium beets, roasted and peeled

• 2 oz goat cheese (plus extra for topping)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Optional: 1–2 tbsp pasta water (to thin sauce)

Protein (Your choice: here's seared chicken breast):

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• Salt & pepper

• Olive oil

• Optional: garlic powder, thyme

Toppings & Garnish:

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)

• ⅓ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

• Zest of 1 orange

• Extra goat cheese, crumbled

• Balsamic glaze (for drizzle)

🔪 Instructions

1. Roast the Beets

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Wrap beets in foil and roast for ~40–50 mins until fork-tender.

• Let cool slightly, then peel and chop.

(Pro Tip: Do this step ahead to save time.)

2. Cook the Pasta

• Boil salted water and cook pasta al dente.

• Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.

3. Make the Beet Goat Cheese Sauce

• In a blender or food processor, combine:

◦ Roasted beets

◦ Goat cheese

◦ 2 tbsp olive oil

◦ 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

◦ Salt & pepper

• Blend until smooth. Add pasta water a little at a time to reach a creamy, sauce-like consistency.

4. Sear the Chicken

• Season chicken with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder.

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.

• Sear chicken 4–5 mins per side until golden and cooked through.

• Let rest 5 mins, then slice thinly.

5. Blister the Cherry Tomatoes

• In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp oil and cherry tomatoes.

• Cook on medium-high until skins blister and burst slightly (~5 mins).

• Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

6. Assemble the Dish

• Toss cooked pasta with the beet-goat cheese sauce.

• Plate pasta and top with:

◦ Sliced chicken

◦ A few dollops of pesto

◦ Blistered cherry tomatoes

◦ Chopped toasted walnuts

◦ Crumbled goat cheese

◦ Orange zest

◦ Drizzle of balsamic glaze