Nigella Lawson’s Marmite spaghetti recipe uses just four ingredients and is ready in under 10 minutes — perfect for a quick weeknight dinner
Nigella Lawson’s four-ingredient Marmite spaghetti recipe is ready in under 10 minutes(Image: bhofack2 via Getty Images)
Tracking down a speedy and straightforward weeknight dinner that calls for only a handful of ingredients can be quite a challenge. Luckily, Nigella Lawson has shared a plethora of fuss-free recipes throughout her career, including this Marmite spaghetti.
The dish requires just four ingredients and can be on the table in under 10 minutes.
The recipe notes said: “I know the combination of pasta and Marmite sounds off to the point of unfeasibility, but wait a moment, there is a traditional day-after-the-roast pasta dish, in which spaghetti is tossed in stock, and I have eaten shortcut versions of this in Italy. It uses a crumbled stock cube, along with some butter, olive oil, chopped rosemary and a little of the pasta cooking water to make a flavoursome sauce for spaghetti.
“If you think about it, Marmite offers saltiness and savouriness the way a stock cube might.”
This recipe serves four to six people; if cooking for vegetarians, swap the Parmesan for an alternative.
Nigella’s Marmite spaghetti recipeIngredients:375g spaghetti50g unsalted butterOne teaspoon of Marmite or VegemiteFreshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve
Spaghetti should be boiled until al dente(Image: Getty)
Method:
Begin by bringing a large saucepan of salted water to the boil, then cook the spaghetti following the packet instructions until al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan or frying pan over a gentle heat.
Add the Marmite and stir until it fully dissolves into the butter, forming a smooth, savoury sauce.
Before draining the spaghetti, set aside a small amount of the cooking water. This is a crucial step, as the starchy water helps to loosen the sauce and lends it a wonderfully silky texture.
Add the drained spaghetti to the Marmite butter, together with a generous splash of the reserved pasta water.
Toss everything thoroughly until each strand of spaghetti is evenly coated and the sauce appears glossy rather than greasy.
Finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss once more before serving. A little extra cheese scattered on top is a great option if you prefer a more indulgent result.
While the pairing of Marmite and pasta might raise a few eyebrows, the rich, savoury flavour adds real depth to the dish, with the butter tempering it just enough.
Dining and Cooking