Bow Tie Pasta

Rich with fresh tomatoes and parmesan cheese make this creamy Bow Tie Pasta recipe a simple weeknight meal the whole family will love. It can be whipped up in under 30 minutes and makes plenty for leftovers later in the week.

These days with heavy kids’ activities and hectic schedules I look for recipes that can be made in under 30 minutes such as this Mexican Ground Beef Casserole but also need ones that don’t elicit complaints. Basically, I need to make dinner fast and I need everyone to eat it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy. With only a handful of simple ingredients, many of which are standard pantry staples, you’ll be able to prepare this creamy bow tie pasta in under 30 minutes. It’s extremely easy to make and with the exception of boiling the pasta is a one-pot meal.
• Rich creamy flavor. The heavy cream and ricotta mixed with the pasta water make the dreamiest creamy bow tie pasta ever. It’s a super smooth sauce with some burst tomatoes for texture and extra flavor.
• Feeds a crowd. Whether you’ve got a crowd at home, are entertaining, or just want to have leftovers during the week this recipe makes a ton of pasta. It saves well and will last for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredient Notes

• Bow Tie Pasta – Also known as Farfalle pasta (and sometimes butterfly pasta), this fun-shaped pasta is great for soaking up lots of sauce in its groves.
• Tomatoes – Fresh tomatoes are best, but in a pinch, canned diced tomatoes will work too, just drain them. I prefer to use grape or cherry tomatoes.
• Tomato Paste – You’ll lightly toast the tomato paste before preparing the sauce, which brings out the flavor of the tomato paste, but adding this ingredient also adds body to the overall sauce.
• Pasta Water – This is a key ingredient for creating a rich creamy texture and ultimately smooth sauce. Reserve about a cup before draining the bow tie pasta from the water.
• Ricotta Cheese – Mixing the ricotta cheese into the sauce makes this sauce thick and creamy.

Recipe Variations

• Add some meat – To make this into a heartier dish try adding some meat such as Italian sausage, cooked chicken, or even browned ground beef.
• Mix in some vegetables – Stir in some spinach or add some fennel, kale, or even mushrooms.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil the pasta to al dente. Fill a large pot with water, enough to cover the pasta and then some, and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring the salted water to a boil over high heat and add the bow tie pasta. Cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions until al dente. Before draining the pasta reserve 1 cup of water.
2. Sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes. In a large skillet with high sides or a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes (more if you want some spice). Sauté for 30 seconds.

3. Add in the tomatoes. Place the grape or cherry tomatoes into the skillet and allow them to cook for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften and burst. Stir them occasionally so they cook evenly.
4. Bring out the tomato paste flavor. Add in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning and let it cook for about 1 to 2 minutes so it brings out the flavors.

5. Prepare the sauce. Slowly pour the heavy cream into the skillet or pot and then ½ cup of pasta water, along with the parmesan cheese, and salt. Allow the sauce to come to a soft boil, stirring occasionally, and then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
6. Bring it all together. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat it evenly. Cook for about 3 more minutes to let the pasta heat through.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Leftovers – Place any leftover bow tie pasta into an air-tight container and store it in the fridge. It will last for up to 4 days.
• Reheating Instructions – As the pasta is stored in the fridge it will soak up some of the sauce, but once reheated the creaminess will return. If you’d like a little more sauce then add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water per serving of pasta before reheating it.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• When ready to serve, plate the pasta on individual plates or into a large pasta bowl and top it with freshly chopped basil and some additional grated parmesan cheese.
• The pasta should be cooked to al dente, which means it should be tender, not chewy. If the pasta appears chalky then boil it just a tad longer.
• Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before you drain the pasta. Then if the sauce is too thick add more pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.

FAQS

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If you enjoyed this creamy Bow Tie Pasta recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars.