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This Creamy Bow Tie Pasta is a simple and comforting dish that can be served as a main meal or a side dish. Totally customizable and ready in about 30 minutes, this pasta will be a family favorite!

Enjoy this easy pasta dish on it’s own or topped with sliced Baked Chicken Breasts!

white bowl of pasta topped with bacon & parsley
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Why I Love This Recipe

I am always looking for quick and easy recipes and family-friendly dinner ideas. The idea for this Bow Tie Pasta came from an old cookbook and it checks all my requirements. I like it, the kids like it, it’s easy and delicious!

You need just seven everyday ingredients, and the recipe is easily customized. The pasta is creamy and comforting but light enough to enjoy year-round. The bacon and Parmesan cheese add great salty and savory flavor to the otherwise mellow sauce.

overhead shot of bowls of bowtie pasta

What is Bow Tie Pasta?

If you’re searching the pasta aisle for bowtie pasta, you won’t find it. The official name of this shape is Farfalle. Though any pasta shape will do, bowtie is great because it grabs the sauce in the crevices. Plus, it’s cute; we love it in my Chicken Taco One Pot Pasta and in Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t need to search for crazy ingredients – the 7 ingredients in this dish are simple and probably already in your pantry!

  • Bowtie pasta – Formally known as “Farfalle pasta” on the box, this pasta gets it’s nickname from its adorable bow shape. It’s also known as “butterfly pasta”.
  • Bacon – Any kind, and any brand.
  • Cream cheese – Softened to room temperature. Leave it out on the counter for about an hour before you need it. If you forget, you can remove it from the packaging and microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
  • Butter – Part of the sauce.
  • Italian seasoning
  • Milk – Whatever you have on hand. Keep in mind that a higher fat percentage will yield a creamier sauce.
  • Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated will give you the best texture and flavor, but since you’re not going to melt it, pre-grated is fine.

How To Make Creamy Bow Tie Pasta

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

  1. First, cook the pasta to your perfect level.
  2. While the pasta is boiling, cook your bacon using your favorite method. I usually cook bacon in the oven, but I’ve also been using the air fryer lately.
  3. Next, add room-temperature cream cheese, butter, and Italian seasoning to a microwave-safe bowl. Beat it with a hand mixer until smooth, then stream in the milk until fully combined. Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds,  until it’s all melted and you have a creamy sauce. You can also do this over low heat on the stove, but the microwave is faster.
  4. Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and top with the crumbled bacon and Parmesan cheese. The bacon and Parmesan are salty, but season with salt & pepper, if you think it needs it.
collage of bowtie pasta with cheese sauce

Serving Suggestions

How To Store Leftovers

A creamy pasta sauce doesn’t always freeze well, so I recommend storing in the fridge in an airtight container and enjoying within a few days. You can reheat in the microwave (at 50% power) or on the stovetop.

Expert Tips

  • You can easily double this recipe if you have a crowd to feed. To stretch it further, add a protein or veggie.
  • If you want to lighten up the calories, you can use turkey bacon, low-fat cream cheese, and skim milk.
  • Add some heat with a pinch of red pepper flakes, or tang with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
wooden spoon full of bowtie pasta

Try These Pasta Recipes Next

Recipe
bowtie pasta, cream sauce bacon, white bowl

Bow Tie Pasta

5 from 3 votes
Creamy Bow Tie Pasta is a comforting dish made with butterfly pasta, bacon and a creamy sauce. Customizable and ready in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces bowtie pasta
  • 1/2 pounds bacon
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2/3 cup milk I used 2%
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta until tender. Drain and set aside, keeping warm.
  • Cook the bacon using your preferred method until crisp and then crumble.
  • Add the softened cream cheese, butter, and Italian seasoning to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth. While beating on low, stream in the milk until fully combined and smooth.
  • Microwave the cream cheese mixture for 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until thoroughly heated.
  • Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pasta and toss to coat. Top with shredded Parmesan and crumbled bacon.

Notes

If you’re after a lightened up version, you can use turkey bacon, low-fat cream cheese, and skim milk. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 549kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 16gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 581mgPotassium: 258mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 874IUCalcium: 179mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Melissa Williams

Melissa Williams is the creator of Persnickety Plates where she shares simple, family friendly recipes with everyday ingredients. She especially loves to bake and rarely meets a cookie she doesn’t like. This wife and mom of two girls aims to share recipes that are quick and easy because even though life is busy, there’s always time for good food.

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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Betty J Regan says:

    Hi Kristen- I love your recipes. Always looking for something different but delicious. You never let me down. I look forward to your ideas, tips and recipes every day. Keep it up! Happy Cooking, Betty

    1. Kristin says:

      Hi Betty, Thank you so much for the kind words, you made my day.
      Kristin.