Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta Salad
Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta Salad - 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!
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 teaspoon Salt
Toppings
- 2 tablespoon Pine Nuts Lightly toasted
- Handful Spinach Leaves
- 2 tablespoon 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.
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.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 Garlic Bread A Tomato based Salad Chicken Prawns A big green Salad Roast VegetablesStorage 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.Nutrition
Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 9gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 1485mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 951IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 269mgIron: 1mg
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