Marmite Pasta is the unlikely combination the world never knew it needed. Love it or hate it, it’s happened. And boy it’s delicious!
So yeah, Marmite Pasta is totally a thing. No seriously I’ve been making this stuff for years. Ever since the queen Nigella Lawson graced us with her Marmite Spaghetti I’ve been absolutely hooked on this dish. If you’re a Marmite lover, get ready for your tastebuds to tingle, because this dish is about to change your go-to Marmite recipe forever! Follow me…
Marmite Pasta Ingredients
I don’t know about you, but when I first thought of ‘Marmite Pasta’ I got visions of pasta absolutely drowned in Marmite, or even worse, just pasta with Marmite drizzled over it. Yeah, that is pretty gross. Just because Marmite is a fun and kind of ‘novelty’ ingredient, doesn’t mean it can’t actually make a really delicious dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pasta – I find spaghetti (or any long cut pasta) works best for this recipe.
- Marmite – A little goes a long way! I find 1 heaped tsp hits the sweet spot, but if you’re at all weary start off with less as it’s easy to adjust.
- Butter – This makes the base of the sauce. I recommend using unsalted butter as Marmite is already quite salty.
- Parmesan – Marmite and cheese is a glorious combo! Parmesan melts nicely into the sauce.
- Garlic – Adds a gentle bit of flavour to compliment the Marmite, butter & parmesan.
- Mushrooms – These help bulk out the pasta. They also take on the flavour of Marmite amazingly!
- Parsley – This adds a nice fresh burst of flavour.
I’ve never had Marmite before, should I go straight in for the kill?
Marmite’s slogan is ‘you either love it or you hate’ and I really believe that’s true. My advice would be try Marmite (maybe just on buttered toast) and if you love it, go ahead!
Can I use Vegemite?
Vegemite is Australia’s answer to marmite and the answer is yes you can use it! In fact, I first tested this recipe with Vegemite when I was living in Australia!
Making Marmite Pasta
As you can imagine it truly couldn’t be easier to make. The key is creating a simple sauce to carry the Marmite.
Starchy Pasta Water
Whilst the butter does make up a good portion of the sauce, just butter and Marmite would create a rather dry pasta. Throw in some parmesan and you’ve got clumpy dry pasta. The key to creating the sauce is adding in some of the water your pasta cooks in. The starch molecules help create an emulsion with the butter to create a very light, slightly creamy sauce. Well, less of a sauce, more of a glossy coating to the pasta.
It’s important to scoop out the water JUST before you drain the pasta, just so it’s extra starchy. If you scoop it right at the beginning not only will it be less starchy, which means the sauce will end up too watery, but it’ll also dilute the flavour. Either way, this is a crucial ingredient so don’t skip it!
Can I use other types of pasta?
I tend to stick with spaghetti because it distributes the sauce more evenly, so you’re not stuck with a clump of Marmite in a pasta shell or something. However, feel free to choose whatever type you want, just mix it well!
Process shots: fry mushrooms (photo 1), fry garlic then melt in butter (photo 2), stir in pasta water (photo 3), add Marmite (photo 4), stir to combine (photo 5), toss in pasta then toss in parmesan and parsley (photo 6).
Serving Marmite Pasta
Once the sauce soaks up and begins to wrap around the pasta, serve up right away. I like an extra helping of parmesan, but that’s totally optional. Kind of 😛 I tend to serve this for lunch because it’s fairly light, and also incredibly quick and easy!
After another recipe that uses Marmite? Check out my Puff Pastry Pinwheels!
After another quick, easy and delicious pasta recipe? Give my Cream Cheese Pasta a go!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this Marmite Pasta shall we?!
How to make Marmite Pasta (Full Recipe & Video)
Marmite Pasta
Equipment
- Frying Pan & Tongs
- Pot & Colander
- Fine Cheese Grater
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Ingredients
- 7oz / 200g Spaghetti, or other long cut pasta
- 100-150g / 3.5-5oz Button Mushrooms, sliced (see notes)
- 1/4 cup / 20g freshly grated Parmesan, plus more to serve
- 2 heaped tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1-2 tsp Marmite (see notes)
- 1 clove Garlic, minced/finely diced
- 1 heaped tbsp finely diced Fresh Parsley
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
- Olive Oil, for frying
Instructions
- Pop the spaghetti in salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Scoop out a cup of starchy pasta water JUST before draining.
- Meanwhile, fry the mushrooms in a little olive oil over medium heat until they begin to brown. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt & pepper, then fry for another minute or so until the garlic just begins to pick up colour.
- Melt in 2 heaped tbsp butter, then pour in 1/3 cup / 80ml of the starchy pasta water. Swiftly whisk with your wooden spoon to emulsify with the butter, then turn the heat down slightly and stir in the Marmite.
- Add the spaghetti and toss to coat in the sauce. Sprinkle in the parmesan and toss until it melts and the sauce thickens around the spaghetti (toss in a splash more pasta water to loosen up the pasta if needed). Add the parsley and give it a final toss, then check for seasoning and serve with more parmesan!
Video
Notes
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition
Looking for more?
You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’
If you loved this Marmite Recipe be sure to Pin for later! Made this recipe or got a question? Let me know how you got on in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
I stumbled on this site when looking for ways to use marmite. This recipe is delicious – I used gluten free pasta and plant based butter. Using the pasta sauce worked beautifully. I used just 1tsp marmite but next time will use more. BF who is not a pasta fan loved it! This is for sure a keeper recipe! Great site.
Thanks so much for the review, Elizabeth! Great to hear it went down well 🙂 C.
We’ve been married for 40years now and hubby has always loved marmite..on anything …but I can’t stand it .. …….this is now a favourite recipe to make with added marmite….and the only way I will eat it! It’s fantastic….sometimes I add pancetta instead of mushrooms or as well as … also great of course!
That’s so awesome to hear, Sue! I’ll definitely have to try it with pancetta, sounds delish! 🙂
Where do you get Marmite and what is it?
Hi Sherry! Marmite is a yeast extract which is often used as a spread on toast. It’s incredibly popular here in the UK, but is also known for it’s controversial and distinctive taste. Depending on where you live you may have something similar called ‘Vegemite’. It may be sold in the international isle of your grocery store or online. Hope this helps 🙂
My dad used to LOVE marmite, but I really couldn’t stand the smell. Or the taste. Really anything about it. But maybe I just haven’t found the right things to put it on. (it was always toast). This definitely sounds interesting. Not sure if I would buy marmite to cook this, but I would definitely try it if it was offered to me!
You know what they say, you either love it or hate it! If you get the opportunity defo give it a go! it’s delicious 🙂
Made this for the first time tonight. Absolutely delicious, I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for sharing.
So creative! Would never have thought of putting Marmite and pasta together!
It’s definitely an odd concept, but so delish!!!
I am officially intrigued. I have never had marmite and don’t know much about it. Except that it exists. I feel like this is something i need to try, I love new ingredients!
It’s definitely an acquired taste! But I can’t get enough of it!! You gotta try it 🙂
What a delicious combination of flavors. Drooling! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Thanks, Savita!!
I am a marmite addict and this is my dream meal!
Yes! Welcome to team love it!!
Totally pinned this to my pasta board. It looks amazing!
Aw thanks so much Emily! 🙂