Name: Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 70 g Basil Leaves (2 cups); 2 cloves Garlic; 40 g Pine Nuts; 70 g Parmesan (grated); 100 ml Olive Oil; Salt and Pepper; 300 g Farfelle or any pasta shape; 2 tsp Salt; 2 tbsp Pine Nuts (Lightly toasted); Handful Spinach Leaves; 2 tbsp Parmesan (grated)

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Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta - This Pesto pasta is quick and easy 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

This Pesto Pasta 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. 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 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 measures.

What is Pesto?

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.

Ingredients in Pesto Pasta

Pasta Water - There is nothing worse then having pesto pasta that is dry. To combat this 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 Farfelle. M&S used Farfalle.

Pesto - Made up of Basil, Pine Nuts, Parmesan, Salt, Olive Oil and Garlic.

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

How to make Pesto Pasta

It is pretty simple to make this recipe. The basic steps are:

Blend together the Garlic, Basil, Pine Nuts, Parmesan, Oil, Salt and Pepper.

Boil the Pasta until al dente.

Mix the Pesto into the Pasta.

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

Tips and tricks to make the best Pesto Pasta

This recipe pretty straight forward 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, 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

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, Mozzarella 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 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 can be served with a number of sides such as:

Bruschetta

A Tomato based Salad

A big green Salad

Storage for Pesto Pasta

Pesto Pasta 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

Tiktok Pasta

Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese

Gigi Hadid Pasta without Vodka

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4.48 from 19 votes

Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta

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

Course Lunch

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Italian;, M&S Pasta, Parmesan, Spinach, Pine Nut Pasta, Pasta, Pesto, Pesto Pasta

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 370 kcal

Author Safira

Ingredients

Pesto

70 g Basil Leaves 2 cups
2 cloves Garlic
40 g Pine Nuts
70 g Parmesan grated
100 ml Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Pasta

300 g Farfelle or any pasta shape
2 tsp Salt

Toppings

2 tbsp Pine Nuts Lightly toasted
Handful Spinach Leaves
2 tbsp Parmesan grated

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to the boil with the salt. Boil the pasta according to pack instructions. Scoop out 300 ml water and set aside. Drain pasta in a colander.
Combine the ingredients for the Pesto in a blender and blend till combined. Add 75 ml water and blend again. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Add the pesto to the pasta in a large bowl and combine, adding more water if required to make the sauce silky. Toss together to combine.
Divide between bowls and add additional parmesan, spinach and pine nuts.

Recipe Notes

Recipe Update

This recipe was updated on 06/03/23. If you loved the original recipe, the measurements for the Pesto were - 70g Basil, 2 cloves Garlic, 60g Pine Nuts, 40g Parmesan, 120 ml Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper.