Creamy Bow Tie Pasta

This pasta recipe is a one-pot meal with tons of flavor and it’s rich and creamy without being too heavy.

In this easy dish, bow tie pasta is tossed in a quick and creamy sundried tomato parmesan cream sauce.

Add in a handful of fresh spinach for the perfect Meatless Monday meal or serve with shrimp or chicken!

Why We Love This Pasta Recipe

This crowd-pleasing bowtie pasta comes together in about 20 minutes or so.It’s a meatless meal but pairs well with chicken or seafood too (like shrimp or scallops).The prep for this pasta dish is fast and easy.It uses items I usually have in my pantry.

Ingredients

Bow Tie Pasta – Bow tie pasta (also known as farfalle) is a fun and bite-sized pasta shaped like bow ties or butterflies. The ridges give the sauce something to cling to while the shape holds up well to a rich sauce.

Swap it for any type of pasta like penne, rigatoni, and rotini.

Creamy Sauce – This recipe uses light cream and chicken broth thickened with a bit of cornstarch. We love it because it still has a rich flavor and texture without using heavy whipping cream.

Parmesan cheese also helps thicken and of course, adds lots of flavor. For a twist, stir in a little homemade pesto and if time is really short, use a jar of store-bought Alfredo sauce.

Sundried Tomatoes – There really is no substitute that will add the same flavor as sundried tomatoes. We prefer oil-packed tomatoes if possible. If you don’t have any, you can substitute a little bit of tomato paste for some tangy flavor.

Variations and Additions

Veggies – Add in your cooked veggies like peas, broccoli, asparagus, onions, diced bell peppers, or sliced mushrooms. Seasonings – In addition to Italian seasoning, try red pepper flakesAdd Protein – Mix in bay shrimp, cooked Italian sausage, bacon bits, chicken meatballs, or top portions with slices of grilled chicken or shrimp.

How to Make Bow Tie Pasta

Cook Pasta: Cook farfalle pasta until ‘al dente’ (firm). Drain pasta, reserving some pasta water.Make Sauce: Cook garlic and seasoning until fragrant.Whisk in cream, broth, sundried tomatoes, and a bit of cornstarch. Simmer.Combine Pasta & Sauce: Add pasta, fresh spinach, and parmesan cheese, simmer a minute or two adding pasta water if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Pro Tips for Bow Tie Pasta

Salt the pasta water generously. Do not rinse the pasta after cooking (or add olive oil to the water), the excess starch helps the sauce stick to the pasta.If desired, use a tablespoon of oil from the sundried tomatoes in place of butter.Heavy cream can be added in place of light cream. Reduce cornstarch to 1 1/2 teaspoons.If the sauce isn’t thick enough, let it simmer an extra minute or two.If using frozen spinach, be sure to squeeze out the liquid between two clean paper towels so it won’t water down the sauce. You’ll just need a few ounces.Store leftover creamy bow tie pasta in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add a bit of cream or milk before reheating.

More Pasta Recipes

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Cook garlic and seasoning until fragrant.Whisk in cream, broth, sundried tomatoes, and a bit of cornstarch. Simmer.