Bow Tie Pasta

Italians know bow tie noodles as farfalle pasta. Farfalle means “butterfly.” Poetic, don’t you think? Like the Italian namesake, this bow tie pasta recipe is delicate and elegant. A rich, velvety sauce made with butter, garlic, herbs and Parmesan cheese clings perfectly to the unique farfalle pasta shape.

Of our many five-star pasta and farfalle recipes, this creamy bow tie pasta recipe is a go-to for its ease and simplicity, but it will still make you look like a pro chef. When unexpected guests arrive, you can whip up this recipe with basic pantry staples while still holding a conversation. Add some protein and vegetables to the mix, and you have a whole meal for a family weeknight dinner.

Bow Tie Pasta Ingredients

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• Bow tie pasta: Also known as farfalle pasta, bow tie noodles have nooks and crannies perfect for a clingy cream sauce. Cooking pasta is easy, but there are some tricks (like salting the water!) to keep in mind.
• Butter: Butter adds a creamy richness to match the cheese and, paired with olive oil, creates just the right depth for the dish. Use unsalted butter to control the seasoning.
• Olive oil: What is an Italian pasta dish without olive oil? There are many types of olive oil, each with a distinct flavor profile, but save the super fancy stuff for salad dressing or as a finishing touch.
• Flour: Flour’s dual power keeps our fatty ingredients combined with our liquids, all while thickening the sauce. All-purpose flour has the right feel for this job, so avoid the finer-ground versions.
• Garlic: For the best flavor, use freshly minced garlic. Jarred garlic works in a pinch, but fresh is better.
• Seasonings: Salt, dried basil and crushed red pepper flakes are all you need to elevate this sauce. Dried basil is preferable to fresh basil in this instance since heat releases the dried herb’s flavor but fresh basil loses its flavor if it cooks too long.
• Milk: We recommend 2% milk to lengthen the sauce. Low or nonfat milk can be too thin for a cream sauce.
• Chicken broth: Broth smooths out the texture of our sauce. Vegetable broth is also excellent for this dish and makes the farfalle pasta vegetarian-friendly.
• Parmesan cheese: Step up the quality and go with real Parmigiano Reggiano, the champagne of Parmesan cheese. But the true genius of this creamy bow tie pasta recipe is that it tastes fantastic with whatever you have on hand, even the stuff in the plastic shaker.
• Sour cream: Sour cream is a clever shortcut to a creamy pasta sauce. Because the called-for amount in this recipe is so small, get crazy and go for the full-fat sour cream.

Directions

Step 1: Make the pasta

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Cook the farfalle pasta according to its package directions.

Editor’s Tip: Make the bow tie noodles al dente, which is slightly undercooked by a minute or two. They will continue to soften in the sauce.

Step 2: Make the sauce

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While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the oil, garlic, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, flour and salt until blended. Gradually add the milk, broth and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until slightly thickened, about two minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Once the butter is melted, keep the saucepan on medium or low heat and add the oil, garlic, basil and crushed red pepper. Heat until fragrant before adding the flour and salt.

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Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and sour cream.

Step 3: Combine the sauce and bow tie noodles

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Drain the pasta. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce.

Editor’s Tip: Always save about 1 cup pasta water in case the sauce is thicker than expected. The starch in the water also helps the sauce stick to the pasta. The standard amount of water to boil is 4 quarts per pound of pasta, but using less than that by a quarter will yield starchier water.

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Bow Tie Pasta Variations

• Try a different dairy: Sour cream does a fantastic job making creamy bow tie pasta, but heavy cream, cream cheese or a little Greek yogurt are smart substitutions. Or, you could swap in a tomato sauce for the cream sauce.
• Add vegetables: This farfalle pasta recipe is like a blank canvas. Add any vegetables you like, from steamed broccoli or asparagus to wilted spinach, cooked mushrooms and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Olives would be a great addition too!
• Protein possibilities: Bow tie noodles pair well with many proteins. Whether leftover buttery herb-roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, poultry is a terrific option. Shrimp or lump crabmeat can make this dish feel pretty fancy. Italian sausage would also be an incredible addition.

How to Store Bow Tie Pasta

This creamy bow tie pasta recipe makes for excellent leftovers. Seal it well, letting no air into the storage vessel, and it will taste great for days to come.

How long does bow tie pasta last?

Bow tie pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

How do you reheat bow tie pasta?

Reheat this farfalle pasta on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water, milk or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir it frequently until heated through. Microwaving this dish is okay, but the sauce may separate. Start with smaller amounts of time and stir the pasta between each additional minute.

Bow Tie Pasta Tips

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What’s a good substitute for bow tie pasta?

If you don’t have farfalle pasta (aka bow tie noodles) on hand, other pasta shapes like penne, rotini or fusilli work well with creamy sauces.

What’s the best way to grate Parmesan cheese for bow tie pasta?

Freshly grated cheese on the bow tie noodles levels up your game, lending more flavor and giving you the ability to choose the best shred. A microplane is your friend here to create light, fluffy grated cheese that melts easily.

What else can you serve with bow tie pasta?

Bow tie pasta can be a quick meal or an excellent course for an entire Italian spread. First, serve some prosciutto and melon, a zesty arugula salad and a flute of Prosecco. Then, the next course could be our creamy bow tie pasta with protein and vegetable enhancements, or keep it as a simple side dish for a large-format steak like a grilled porterhouse. Finish off the meal with homemade tiramisu.