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Our Creamy Bowtie Pasta is loaded with savory bacon, crisp asparagus, and crunchy pine nuts in a tangy creamy sauce. So many flavors and textures in one dish!
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Creamy bowtie pasta is, in my opinion, one of the very best pasta dishes I have ever tasted. This has been our special date night, anniversary, or holiday go-to dinner! It is one of the best flavor combinations with a soft, savory, and asparagus and bacon crunch to every bite. This is a MUST-make dinner!
Pasta dishes are my thing! They are quick and easy to make, plus you have all the flavor and plate appeal at the same time. This combination of pasta, asparagus, pine nuts, and bacon with a creamy sauce is unforgettable! It is a quick meal to fix on those busy nights but also a decadent dish that is served during special occasions or when guests come over. Watch this pasta dinner disappear from everyone’s bowl in a matter of minutes. It is that good!
Pasta Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bow tie pasta – Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked set aside.
- Butter – This adds to the creaminess and gives the sauce a buttery ribbon look in the bowl.
- Garlic – We can’t get enough of garlic! It is flavorful and easy to add to any dinner giving it just that little boost of flavor.
- Parmesan cheese – Grated parmesan cheese is melted down and blended for a thick and rich creamy pasta sauce.
- Chicken bouillon – Add these cubes or the powder for the boost of flavor you are needing this sauce.
- Heavy cream – Gives the sauce a thick and creamy base. It is flavorful and has the sweetness of the cream.
- Asparagus – This vibrant, mild veggie is one of my favorites and pops against the heavy ingredients in this recipe. Fresh is best, but you could also substitute frozen asparagus too.
- Bacon –This savory meat just makes any recipe better! You can use pre-cooked bacon pieces or cook your very own strips and chop them up.
- Toasted pinenuts – Pine Nuts give this recipe a unique crunch and flavor that is made even better when you toast them in the oven for a few minutes before adding them to the recipe.
- Parsley – Top the pasta off with fresh parsley for appearance and that extra taste!
How to Make The Pasta
Asparagus pasta is simple to make and is loaded with all the flavors! You know when you have a creamy base, bacon, and delicious pasta mixed is going to give an amazingly delicious dinner! This is a MUST make for sure!
- Cook pasta – In a large pot boil bow-tie pasta in salted water until al dente. Do NOT overcook. Drain the pasta water and set aside.
- Saute – In a wok or heavy skillet melt butter. Add minced garlic and saute for a minute or so.
- Mix – Add Parmesan Cheese and bouillon cube(s). When the bouillon cube is dissolved, slowly stir in heavy cream and salt & pepper.
- Combine – Add cooked pasta to the cream sauce and toss until pasta is well covered. Add blanched asparagus.
- Garnish – Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, toasted pinenuts, parsley & Parmesan cheese and toss together. Serve immediately.
Rave Reviews About this Bowtie Pasta
“This recipe is outstanding, I will definitely be making this again.”
-Stephanie
Frequently Asked Questions
If you actually have any of this pasta leftover, store it in an airtight container for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave or over the stove and give it an extra splash of cream.
Italians call bowtie pasta farfalle which means butterflies in Italian. For homemade farfalle, simply cut fresh pasta into a small rectangle shape. Pinch the centers together making it look like a butterfly.
It depends on if you are serving as a main dish or side dish. As a side, this bowl of pasta will feed 10-12; as a main dish you’ll get about 6 to 8 good sized portions.
Yes, all you need to swap out is the pasta. There are some great gluten-free bowtie pastas out there but you can also use another type of gluten free noodle.
More Perfect Pasta Recipes
There’s nothing like a big bowl of comforting pasta to complete a meal. Try a few of these pasta recipes and add them to your favorite meat and veggie for a special dinner or a busy weeknight supper.
Creamy Bowtie Pasta
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 package bow tie pasta
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick (the real stuff– can be reduced to ¼ c. to make lighter)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 cubes chicken bouillon
- 1 pint heavy cream (or half & half to make lighter)
- salt & pepper to taste
- 12 spears asparagus (blanched and cut into pieces)
- 1/2 cup bacon crumbled
- 1/2 cup toasted pinenuts or to taste
- parsley to taste
- parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
- Boil bow tie pasta in salted water until al dente. Do NOT over cook.
- In wok or heavy skillet melt butter. Add minced garlic and saute a minute or so.
- Add Parmesan Cheese and bouillon cube(s). When the bouillon cube is dissolved, slowly stir in heavy cream and salt & pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to cream sauce and toss until pasta is well covered. Add blanched asparagus.
- Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, toasted pinenuts, parsley & Parmesan cheese and toss together. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
This recipe is outstanding, I will definitely be making this again.
I forgot to buy the pine nuts, but it was still delicious! I prepared it with the lower amount of butter, and it was still rich and creamy. Next time I’ll make sure to pick up the pine nuts, I bet they add a tasty crunch!
Oh my goodness. This recipe is outstanding. Really delicious and I loved the asparagus in it.
How many does this recipe serve?
It depends on if you are serving as a main dish or side dish.. side dish probably 10-12, main dish about 6.
Do you think it would still taste good with out the pine nuts? I have everything but that, and I am too lazy to go to the store. 😀
I wish I had the opportunity to email this recipe to myself because
I don’t have a printer. I would also like to email this recipe to girlfriends too. But I don’t see a way to do that but Allrecipes and foodnetwork do have that opportunity to email their recipes to other people.
Thanks,
Kathleen
We used to have that option… I will look into it! Keep checking back and I will see if I can get something like that on here 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!
Copy and paste it into an email and send it to yourself. I always do that with things I want that don’t have the link to send directly from the website.