Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta Salad

Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta Salad - This easy recipe for Pesto pasta salad is quick to make. It is packed full of flavour and is an easy weeknight dinner that anyone can make!

Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta Salad

This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is silky, glossy and delicious without using excessive amounts of oil. What’s more, it tastes exactly like the M&S version and is so so delicious!

If you are stressing about what to make for dinner tonight then this is the perfect recipe and it makes the perfect side dish too. It is quick and easy and one of my favourite meals. 

It is the kind of recipe I make when I want plain, simple, good food. It reminds me of going to Italy and seeing the chefs cook there.

They would just use a few simple ingredients and make the most amazing dishes.

This Zesty Pesto Pasta reminds me of a time when i was was young and care free. In those days I used to work in HR.

It was the most fast paced, high pressured environment i have ever worked in. It was the kind of place where Lunch breaks didn't always happen.

So when we did make it out, we wanted to have something that was quick to grab but delicious too. 

I loved that job.  Amongst all the pressure, we laughed a lot too. I mean that undignified belly laughing where someone inevitably lets out a snort.

Most days, we would go to Tesco because it was around the corner but some days we would go into town, where just before we left, I would run into M&S and grab a spinach and pine nut pasta and a lemon drink. I enjoyed both in equal measure.

What is Fresh Pesto?

Traditional Pesto is a sauce that  originated in Genoa, Italy. It is made with crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, basil leaves, and Parmesan/Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino. These are all blended with olive oil. 

Store-bought Pesto isn't as good as Fresh Homemade Basil Pesto because it isn't always made with fresh ingredients. 

Ingredients in Pesto Pasta

This recipe is made with simple ingredients with classic flavors. Here is what you will need:

Pasta Water - There is nothing worse then having pesto pasta that is dry. To combat this and to make a Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad, I always add some of the pasta cooking water to the Pesto.

The benefit to adding the water is that the starch in the water emulsifies with the pesto and makes for a glossy pasta that is as far away from dry as you can imagine.

Type of Pasta - You can use any pasta here. I have used both Spaghetti, Penne and Farfalle. M&S used Farfalle.

Pesto - Made up of Basil, Pine Nuts, Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Olive Oil (Extra-Virgin Olive Oil) and Garlic.

Spinach and Pine Nuts - These can be added on top. They add flavour and texture. 

How to make Pesto Pasta

This is my go-to recipe for Pesto Pasta Salad! It is the best pasta recipe and it is made with common ingredients. Here is how to make it:

It is pretty simple to make this delicious recipe. The basic steps to make this summer pasta salad are:

Make the Homemade Pesto Sauce

Blend (using a food processor or handheld stick) the Garlic, Basil, Pine Nuts, Parmesan, Oil, Salt and Pepper.

Boil Pasta in a large pot of salted water. You want al dente Pasta so cook using the pack instructions but reduce the time by 2 minutes.

Mix the Pesto into the Farfalle Pasta. 

Top with Spinach, extra Parmesan and lightly toasted Pine Nuts.

Tips and tricks to make the best Pesto Pasta

This recipe is pretty straight forward and ideal to serve at a Summer BBQ but these tips and tricks will help it come out perfect each time:

Reserve some of the pasta water 

Reserving some of the pasta water makes for a silky pesto sauce. 

Salt the pasta water

Just ask Samin Nosrat. Salting water for pasta is essential.

Add Spinach at the very end

If you are adding any additional salad like Spinach to this fresh Basil Pesto Pasta salad, add it at the end so it doesn’t wilt and become mushy.

Toss Pasta in a bowl

Toss the pasta and pesto together in a large bowl. Not in a pot and definitely not over heat. Basil doesn't like heat.

Eat it at room temperature

It is better to eat this pasta chilled. Re heating it doesn't bode well. I mean you can if you want, but it is better chilled just like they do it in M&S.

Add some Lemon

A squeeze of Lemon Juice works really well with any Pesto based dish. Feel free to add that at the end.

Variations

This easy family meal is a really good Pasta Salad, but you can amend it according to your taste. Here is how you can change things up:

Veg - Serve with Veg like Sun-Dried tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Red Onion, Grape Tomatoes, fresh Cherry Tomatoes or any Juicy Tomatoes.

Pine Nuts -You can add toasted pine nuts to the finished pasta to bring out their nutty deliciousness.

Egg - I sometimes add a poached egg over the top..trying not to dribble right now.

Spinach - You can add other leaves instead such as Rocket.

Add more Cheese - This Pesto Pasta tasted great with added Cheese such as Pecorino, fresh Mozzarella Pearls or Feta.

other nuts/seeds to use in place of the pine nuts - Walnuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Pecans, Sunflower Seeds or Hemp Seeds.

Other pasta Shapes - You can use any short Pasta you like in this recipe such as Rigatoni, Ziti, Spaghetti, Fusilli. Whatever you like. 

other greens that you can use instead of basil - Mint, Coriander, Parsley, Kale, Rocket, Spinach, Avocado.

An alternative Pesto - You can also make a Muhammara style pesto by roasting a red pepper and blending that into the pesto. 

Make it Vegan - Use Nutritional yeast, in place of the parmesan to make it Vegan.

Add some Heat - Add a pinch of Red Chilli Flakes

Add some texture and flavour - Add a sprinkling of Zataar at the end.

Skip the Pesto - Stir in some Harissa Paste instead.

Use this Avocado alternative -  I have a lovely Avocado chutney recipe that I sometimes add to Pasta.

How to serve Pesto Pasta

Pasta Pesto is an easy side dish or main dish and it can be served with a number of sides such as:

Bruschetta

Garlic Bread

A Tomato based Salad

Chicken

Prawns

A big green Salad

Roast Vegetables 

Storage for Pesto Pasta

Leftover Pesto Pasta Salad will last in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

To serve, remove from the fridge 30 minutes before eating. 

FAQS

What goes well with Pesto Pasta?

Garlic bread, Bruschetta, a Tomato based salad, Grilled Chicken 

Do you add pesto to hot or cold pasta?

Warm pasta is best as it is easier for the pesto to incorporate fully into the pasta.

Is Pesto Pasta Healthy?

Yes it is in moderation. The ingredients themselves are packed full of vitamins and minerals. 

Why should you not heat Pesto?

Some of the ingredients don’t react well to being heated such as the Basil.

Is Pesto Pasta Italian?

Yes, it originated in Genoa, Italy.

Which pasta do you use for Pesto Pasta?

You can use any pasta you like here. Pesto pasta works with all pasta shapes. My preferred shape is Farfelle or Rigatoni.

More Pasta Recipes:

Gigli pasta with Chickpeas

Butter Chicken Pasta

Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese

Gigi Hadid Pasta without Vodka

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