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 easy 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 managed to convert several marmite-hating friends to it.
I used to rustle it up all the time at University. It was quick, cheap, and ever so tasty, which is music to the ears of any student.
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. Don't knock it until you try it, even the marmite haters amongst you!
👩🍳 Love easy pasta recipes? Try my easy cheesy pasta too!
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✔️ Why should you try it?
- Quick and easy pasta recipe.
- Cheap and frugal to make.
- Perfect for kids and students.
- Marmite is packed full of vitamins and minerals.
🥘 Ingredients
- Marmite - one teaspoon is all you need! You could also substitute marmite for vegemite or a supermarket branded yeast extract.
- Butter - use unsalted butter as marmite is already quite salty.
- Garlic - chopped very finely.
- Parmesan - grana padano would also work well and is a lot cheaper.
- Spaghetti - or whatever pasta you have in the cupboard.
- Black Pepper.
🥄 Equipment
- Heavy bottom pan (for making the buttery marmite sauce)
- Large saucepan (for boiling the spaghetti)
- Sharp knife
- Chopping Board
🔪 Instructions
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 to al dente. Whilst the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat and cook the garlic for a few minutes to soften.
Two: Add in the marmite (I use 1 teaspoon) and stir to combine.
Three: Drain the pasta, but reserve 3 tablespoon of the starchy pasta cooking water. Stir the pasta through the buttery marmite mixture and add in the reserved pasta water to make a glossy smooth sauce.
Four: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and stir to combine. Serve with a grinding of black pepper and more Parmesan.
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💭 Top tips
- Use unsalted butter as marmite and cheese are both quite salty.
- Adding a little of the starchy pasta water gives the sauce a lovely glossiness. This isn't a step to skip!
- I find it's best to use long pasta like spaghetti or linguine for this dish, as the silky sauce clings to each strand. But any shape pasta would work.
🍴 Serving suggestions
The marmite spaghetti is great just as it is, but when I want something more substantial I serve it with pesto focaccia and a crisp green salad.
📖 Variations
- Why not try adding some bacon or sliced chorizo sausage (at the same time as the garlic)?
- A handful of frozen peas or sweetcorn could be added to the boiling pasta water a few minutes before draining.
- Be bold and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese instead of parmesan (stilton would work well because of its texture).
🥡 Storage
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Place in a microwaveable bowl and reheat in the microwave until piping hot.
❓ FAQS
Marmite should not be stored in the fridge as the cold temperature makes it go really hard and difficult to spread. The jar should be stored in your kitchen at room temperature.
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)
😋Related recipes
Some more tasty pasta recipes for you to try!
- Chorizo Mac and Cheese - add smoky chorizo to your mac and cheese, for a Spanish style twist on this family favourite pasta dish.
- Creamy Boursin Pasta - quick and oh so tasty, this luxurious Creamy Boursin Pasta with smoked bacon is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
- Halloumi Pasta - Halloumi and chorizo are fried until golden and mixed with a smoky tomato sauce and penne pasta in this family-friendly dish.
- One Pan Chicken Penne Arrabbiata - this delicious and (mildly) fiery chicken penne arrabbiata is cooked in one pan. That's right, no need to boil your pasta separately as it cooks in the arrabbiata sauce!
- Creamy Pumpkin and Bacon Penne - roasted pumpkin, garlic, and rosemary get whizzed up in a food processor with cooked smoky bacon, cream, Parmesan and mustard to make the most luxurious smooth pasta sauce you will ever taste!
- Easy Cheesy Pasta - deliciously comforting easy cheesy pasta using a cheat's crème fraiche cheese sauce pepped up with smoked paprika and Dijon mustard.
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Recipe
Easy Marmite Pasta
Would you like to save this?
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Equipment
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Large Saucepan
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
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to packet instructions.250 g Spaghetti
- Whilst the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat and gently cook the garlic for a few minutes.30 g Unsalted Butter, 1 Garlic Clove
- Add in the marmite (I use 1 heaped teaspoon) and stir to combine.1 teaspoon Marmite
- Drain the pasta being careful to reserve 3 tablespoon of the starchy pasta cooking water. Stir the pasta through the buttery marmite mixture and add in the reserved pasta water to make a glossy smooth sauce.
- Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and stir to combine. Serve with a grinding of black pepper and more Parmesan if you like things cheesy.50 g Parmesan, Black Pepper
Notes
- Try adding some pancetta or sliced chorizo sausage at the same time as the garlic.
- A handful of frozen peas or sweetcorn could be added to the boiling pasta water a few minutes before the end of cooking.
- Be bold and try crumbling over some blue cheese like Stilton.
- Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the pasta at the end of cooking.
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!
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!
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious says
I've never heard of Marmite before but this spaghetti looks incredible!
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!
Andrea Metlika says
This pasta sounds very flavorful and is a quick, easy meal the whole family will enjoy.
Ashley F. says
While I have never had marmite, I will say this spaghetti looks incredible! Love how easy it is to put together!
Claudia Lamascolo says
We love spaghetti I bet this secret ingredient makes a big difference in delicious flavors
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.
rika says
I love spaghetti! I just need to find marmite in my area! I love how easy it is to make.
Beth says
This looks interesting, but delicious! Can't wait to give this a try!