They say you either love it or hate it, and I'm most definitely in the love it camp when it comes to Marmite! This super quick but oh-so-tasty marmite pasta recipe has a rich, savoury flavour and is perfect for a simple mid-week dinner. I've been making this marmite spaghetti long before Nigella Lawson made it a 'thing,' and I've even converted a few Marmite-hating friends along the way.
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A Quick Look At The Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Marmite Pasta
🕒 Ready In: Under 15 minutes
👪 Serves: 2
🍽 Calories: 339
🥣 Main Ingredients: Pasta, Marmite, Butter, Garlic, Parmesan
📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian (if using vegetarian hard cheese)
👌 Difficulty: Easy
Summarise & Save This Content On
I first rustled it up at university - it was quick, cheap, and incredibly tasty, which is music to any student's ears.
Now it's my kids who request this marmite pasta at least once a week, and I'm more than happy to make it for them.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or a cautious sceptic, don't knock it until you try it - even the Marmite haters often end up in pasta heaven.
Quick to make, packed with umami, and utterly comforting, this marmite spaghetti is the ultimate pantry-friendly meal that proves simple ingredients can create something truly irresistible.
If you love quick and easy pasta recipes you might also like my Boursin pasta, cheesy pasta, and creamy baked tortellini.
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✔️ Why should you try it?
- Ready in 15 minutes so perfect for busy weeknights.
- Uses pantry staples that you probably already have.
- Add vegetables, mushrooms, bacon, or pancetta for extra flavour.
- Even fussy eaters usually love it.
🥘 Ingredients
A full ingredients list along with Metric and US Customary measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Marmite - one teaspoon is all you need! You can substitute Vegemite, Promite, or a supermarket brand yeast extract. For a milder flavour, start with half a teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Butter - use unsalted to balance the saltiness of Marmite.
Garlic - chopped very finely.
Parmesan - you can also use Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, or even cheddar if you prefer a sharper flavour.
Spaghetti - or any long pasta like linguine, fettuccine, or even tagliatelle.
Black Pepper - to season.
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📖 Variations
- Bacon or Chorizo - fry chopped bacon or sliced chorizo with the garlic for a smoky, savoury twist.
- Veggie Boost - add frozen peas, sweetcorn, or green beans to the boiling pasta a few minutes before draining.
- Cheese Swap - try crumbled blue cheese or feta instead of Parmesan cheese. Stilton works particularly well.
- Marmite Carbonara - stir in an egg yolk with the cheese for a creamy, silky sauce.
- Spicy Marmite Pasta - add a pinch of chilli flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a subtle kick.
- Garlic & Herb - sauté mushrooms, spinach, or courgettes with the garlic and Marmite for a simple vegetarian option.
🔪 How to make marmite pasta
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until al dente. While it's cooking, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and gently cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes until softened.
Two: Stir in the Marmite (start with 1 teaspoon) and mix until fully combined with the butter and garlic.
Three: Drain the pasta, reserving 3 tablespoons of the starchy cooking water. Toss the pasta through the Marmite butter sauce, adding the reserved water a little at a time to make a glossy, smooth coating. Stir in the Parmesan and serve immediately with a grinding of black pepper and extra cheese if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of colour.
Top Tips
- Use unsalted butter - Marmite and cheese are already salty.
- Salt your pasta water well; it seasons the pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water to create a glossy, smooth sauce.
- Cook pasta al dente so it keeps its texture.
- Long pasta like spaghetti or linguine helps the sauce cling, but any shape works.
- Stir the pasta occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Adjust the sauce with a little more pasta water if it feels too dry.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve marmite pasta with pesto focaccia or garlic bread, and a crisp green salad.
Storage
Store - leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat - warm gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce, or reheat in the microwave until piping hot.
Freezing - not recommended.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Marmite can be used in a lot of savoury dishes adding a wonderful depth of flavour and richness. It's delicious when added to gravy, stews, cheese sauces, french onion soup, beef casseroles, ragu and of course cheese on toast!
Marmite is a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and B12 and Niacin (source: Webmd)
Yes. The classic recipe combines butter, Marmite, and cheese for a simple, rich, umami-packed sauce. You can add extras like garlic, bacon, or vegetables to make it more substantial.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Pasta is too salty | Reduce the amount of Marmite, use unsalted butter, or add a splash of pasta water or a splash of cream to balance the flavour. |
| Pasta is mushy | Cook pasta al dente and avoid overcooking; drain immediately and toss with the sauce. |
| Sauce doesn't cling to pasta | Use long pasta (spaghetti or linguine) and don't rinse after draining; add a splash of starchy pasta water to help it stick. |
😋Related recipes
Some more easy pasta recipes for you to try!
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Recipe
Easy Marmite Pasta
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Ingredients
- 250 g Spaghetti or use linguine
- 30 g Unsalted Butter
- 1 Garlic Clove peeled and chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon Marmite
- 50 g Parmesan grated
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until al dente. While it's cooking, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and gently cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes until softened.250 g Spaghetti, 30 g Unsalted Butter, 1 Garlic Clove
- Stir in the Marmite (start with 1 teaspoon) and mix until fully combined with the butter and garlic.1 teaspoon Marmite
- Drain the pasta, reserving 3 tablespoons of the starchy cooking water. Toss the pasta through the Marmite butter sauce, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time to make a glossy, smooth coating. Stir in the Parmesan and serve immediately with a grinding of black pepper and extra cheese if desired.50 g Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Notes
- Start with a small amount of Marmite - its flavour is strong, so a little goes a long way.
- Reserve some of the starchy pasta water before draining to create a smooth, glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Use unsalted butter because Marmite and cheese are already quite salty.
- Long pasta like spaghetti or linguine works best, though other shapes can be used.
Beth says
This looks interesting, but delicious! Can't wait to give this a try!
rika says
I love spaghetti! I just need to find marmite in my area! I love how easy it is to make.
Bintu | Budget Delicious says
My kids adore spaghetti and they love Marmite - this sounds like a dish I definitely need to make for them! Delicious.
Claudia Lamascolo says
We love spaghetti I bet this secret ingredient makes a big difference in delicious flavors
Ashley F. says
While I have never had marmite, I will say this spaghetti looks incredible! Love how easy it is to put together!
Andrea Metlika says
This pasta sounds very flavorful and is a quick, easy meal the whole family will enjoy.
Mahy says
You say "spaghetti", I say "any time"! That's how much I love spaghetti recipes LOL Definitely the recipe I am keep to experiment with!
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious says
I've never heard of Marmite before but this spaghetti looks incredible!
Jenn says
What a clever use of Marmite! I love the stuff but have never thought to use it like this! I'll be making this recipe soon!
Beth Sachs says
It's a staple in our house, that's for sure!
Nathan says
I've actually never tried marmite or vegemite before, but I'm really intrigued by this recipe! Can't wait to give it a try 🙂
Beth Sachs says
You definitely need to give it a try Nathan!