I tried Nigella Lawson's simple 4-ingredient pasta - it was absolutely horrific

Butter, Marmite, pasta and Nigella Lawson. This is, in theory, a list of some of my favourite things.

However, I have discovered that liking these elements individually does not mean that combining them is a hit. I have been under the weather the past few days and was in the mood for a warm, comforting lunch that would feel healing. I decided to give Nigella Lawson's marmite with spaghetti recipe a go - while not a proven remedy for colds, Marmite does contain a lot of B vitamins and might make me feel better, I theorised.

Instead, the effect was entirely the opposite. If I were under the weather before this pasta and was almost at death's door after it.

While the Marmite and butter were melting, the smell of hot Marmite hit me like a ton of bricks - it really is difficult to put into words how gross this both looked and smelled.

Once my pasta was ready, I grated over plenty of parmesan cheese to try and disguise the Marmite tang and took a bite. Much like the smell, the taste was near indescribable. There's a burnt taste that isn't present in my usual Marmite and cheese on toast, and the texture was slimy as the cheese melted and mixed with the butter/spread sauce.

I got three bites into my lunch and I had to bin it. Nigella, I love you, but you have seriously betrayed me on this one.

However, despite my abject disgust at this recipe, others seem to love it. Comments on Nigella's website claim this pasta is everything from "tres delish" to "epic" and even "so much more delicious than I ever thought possible".

Good for them, but for me, I will never go near this recipe ever again

If you want to try this recipe for yourself, you'll need just four ingredients:

Marmite pasta recipe

Ingredients

• 375 grams spaghetti

• 50 grams unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon Marmite or Vegemite (or more to taste)

• freshly grated Parmesan cheese (to serve)

I was only serving myself (thank god), so I scaled this down.

Method

To make it, first boil a pot of water on the stove and cook the pasta according to the packet.

Once the pasta is almost cooked, melt your butter in a saucepan and add the Marmite with a teaspoon of pasta water.

Drain your pasta, setting aside some pasta water in case you need to add more liquid. Pour your pasta into the saucepan with the Marmite and butter and mix well, adding more pasta water if necessary.

Serve with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.