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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!
Table of Contents
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.
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!
How To Make Creamy Bow Tie Pasta
See recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- First, cook the pasta to your perfect level.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Serving Suggestions
- Though this pasta is a meal in itself, you can add baked chicken or spicy garlic shrimp to up the protein.
- To add some color to the dish, you could stir in roasted asparagus, sauteed mushrooms or spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes. Or simply toss in some chopped fresh basil or fresh parsley.
- I like to serve it with Instant Pot Green Beans and quick and easy Air Fryer Texas Toast or Garlic Bread.
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.
Try These Pasta Recipes Next
- Spicy Lemon Asparagus & Bacon Pasta
- Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Four Cheese Rigatoni
- One Pot Chicken Spaghetti
- Lemon Butter Pasta
- Baked Feta Pasta
Bow Tie Pasta
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
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.
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
Hi Betty, Thank you so much for the kind words, you made my day.
Kristin.