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Easy Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Recipe (Farfalle Pasta)

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This light and creamy Bow Tie Pasta recipe is easy enough for everyday, elegant enough for company. A restaurant-quality pasta dinner; in a light Italian Cream Sauce, loaded with flavor. Ready in about 20 minutes using your Instant Pot or stovetop this easy pasta recipe is ready in minutes.

Rich in Tuscan flavors with sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms, bathed in a light Parmesan cream sauce. Whether you call it bow tie pasta, butterfly pasta or farfalle pasta; make this simple and amazing pasta recipe, it’s one of those easy recipes that will become a family favorite. 

Try these other favorite pasta recipes: My this homemade spaghetti sauce (or marinara sauce) and pour over your favorite cooked pasta. Also, try this One Pot Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe and my personal favorite; Easy Penne alla Vodka with Sausage (30 Minute).

easy bow tie pasta recipe in large pasta bowls with spoon.

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” right under the title of this post, and you’ll head straight there!

Why You Will Love this Farfalle Pasta Recipe

  • Delicious Recipe | We all need quick and easy homerun recipes in our recipe box, this is one of those recipes! 
  • 30-Minute Meal | Actually it’s ready in about 20 minutes, especially when using the Instant Pot.
  • DCL Recipe | Are you a lover of all things Disney? This recipe is popular on Disney Cruise Lines and will become your favorite too!

Freak Friday Blog Hop

Today is Freaky Friday, where Michaela from An Affair from the Heart secretly assigns everyone another blogger. We make their recipe, photograph it as if it were our own, write a post about it in our own words, then all share our posts on the selected Friday.

Here are a few of my previous Freaky Friday recipes; Cranberry Bourbon Sour, Sweet Molasses Brown Bread, Mint Fudge Brownies, and Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies.

Easy bow tie or farfalle pasta recipe creamy with sun-dried tomatoes, shaved parm and mushrooms.

Meet Rebecca of Devour Dinner

It’s an honor to have been assigned Rebecca’s blog, Devour Dinner! It has been so much fun to get to know Rebecca through her beautiful and inspiring blog. We have a lot in common:

  • I know we would hit it off, we are moms to boys! Amen sister, I am right there with you taxi driving, cheering, having hordes of stinky boys in the house…read about her!
  • She is the Instant Pot queen, I am so impressed with all of her amazing Instant Pot recipes, from beginner recipes to more detailed recipes!
  • Her deep passion for cooking combined with design pushed her to create her beautiful food blog in 2017 (we started the same year!)
  • Rebecca is inspired by and loves all things Disney — I grew up about an hour from Disneyland, so I thoroughly understand this inspiration! A must try is her Disney “Grey Stuff“! Remember Beauty and the Beast, “try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!”

Since she’s the Instant Pot Queen and I’m the Instant Pot “Scullery Maid”, I knew I had to try an IP recipe. I made her Tuna Noodle Casserole, Grandma’s Mac & Cheese and the Bow Tie Pasta (all beginner recipes!), they were all delicious and EASY — but, the creamy bowtie pasta WON, the whole family “devoured” it! Pun intended!

Simple Ingredients for Bow-Tie Pasta

This bow-tie pasta was inspired by a Disney Cruise Line meal Rebecca had while cruisin’ — the ingredients are quite simple:

BOW-TIE PASTA | Use regular or mini Bow-Tie Pasta, called farfalle or butterfly pasta. Also try penne, rigatoni or other short pasta; linguine would work too!.

MUSHROOMS | I used baby Portabella’s in this recipe, but any mushroom will work.

SUN-DRIED TOMATOES | Use drained, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes or shelf-stable sun-dried tomatoes, either will work great! If they are whole, julienne (slice in strips) ahead of time.

CHICKEN BROTH | Adds great flavor; if trying to keep this vegetarian, use water or vegetable broth instead.

HEAVY CREAM | You can use Half & Half, it won’t be as creamy, and the sauce won’t thicken as much, but it will work. I would not use anything fat-free for this recipe. 

PROSECCO | An Italian sparkling wine, you can use any dry sparkling wine or dry white wine as a substitute; or substitute with additional broth or water.

SPICES | Use garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and black pepper.

PARMESAN CHEESE | You can use grated or shredded or shaved; substitute with Romano!

Labeled ingredients for instant pot bow tie pasta recipe.

How to Make Easy Bow Tie Pasta Recipes

Step 1 | Prep Ingredients & Saute Mushrooms

I always recommend you measure, prep and chop all ingredients ahead of time; that way once you start, this bow tie pasta recipe comes together quickly and easily. No Instant Pot? Read on for stovetop instructions.

Turn Instant Pot (IP) to the “Saute” mode and allow it to heat until it reads “HOT”!

Add butter or olive oil to IP and allow to melt, then toss in chopped mushrooms and saute until soft, a few minutes.

Pour in broth (or water), scraping the bottom of the pan to release any bits, this is called deglazing the pan. Turn IP OFF. 

Step 2 | Add Spices and Liquids

Add garlic, pepper, onion powder, heavy cream and Prosecco, and stir it all quickly.

Pour in bow tie pasta, pressing down lightly with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed and the butterfly pasta is under the liquid.

Step 3 | Pressure Cook Bow Tie Pasta

Close IP lid, lock and secure (close vent) and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 4 minutes. It takes about 5 minutes to come to pressure; allow for a 4-5 minute natural release (longer if at altitude), then carefully release the rest of the steam. This will be more al dente pasta.

Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, the sauce will thicken as it cools. If desired, sprinkle with some chopped Italian parsley or fresh basil.

High Altitude Instant Pot Pasta

The Instant Pot can be trickier for those of us living at altitude, I live in the Mile High City at 5280 feet above sea level. This is how I adjusted this farfalle pasta recipe:

Keep the cooking time at 4 minutes and let sit for an additional 1 minute in the natural release time for 5-6 minutes.

Stir pasta well to combine and finish cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add chicken to Bow-Tie Pasta?

Yes! Make Chicken Farfalle. I grilled a couple of chicken breasts that had marinated in a zesty Italian vinaigrette. Slice and serve, or add rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken.

What is Bow-Tie or Bowtie Pasta?

It’s the American nickname for this pasta that is shaped, like a bow tie! In Italy, this pasta is called Farfalle [farˈfalle]) are a type of pasta commonly known as bowtie pasta or butterfly pasta. The name is derived from the Italian word farfalle (butterflies). A larger variation of farfalle is known as farfalloni, while the miniature version is called farfalline.

Can I freeze creamy pasta dishes?

Cream does crazy things when frozen, it breaks apart, looking curdled, so while you can certainly freeze cooked pasta, since this recipe comes together so quickly, I would not recommend freezing.

Creamy farfalle pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic toast on plate.

Variations & Substitutions

It’s all about options and variations in my kitchen!

Spicy Farfalle Pasta | While sauteing the mushrooms add a shake or 5 (depending on how spicy you like it) of red pepper flakes. 

Add more seasoning | Try adding 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.

Change the Veggies | Don’t love mushrooms, leave them out (though they add great flavor); add your favorite fresh veggies such as red peppers, zucchini or cherry tomatoes!

Swap out the powdered spices | Replace the garlic powder with 1-2 cloves minced garlic and the onion powder with ½ minced or chopped onion; add to the instant pot while sauteing the mushrooms. 

Mediterranean Farfalle Pasta  | Add additional vegetables; artichoke hearts would pair beautifully in this Tuscan dish. Also try eggplant, spinach (add at the very end) and peas would all be delicious. Saute some fresh garlic plus 1/2 a thinly sliced red onion, or red bell peppers with the mushrooms. Sliced Green, black or Kalamata olives or capers would also be delicious stirred in!

Add Acid | Adding an acid such as lemon juice, balsamic or red wine vinegar enhances almost every dish, it’s subtle, but brightens the flavors, like in my giblet gravy

Add protein | Add cooked chicken (see below), meatballs, Italian sausage or shrimp. If adding shrimp, stir into finished farfalle pasta and return the lid to the instant pot until it turns opaque.

Try Different Cheeses | Go with more of a Greek pasta vibe and replace the parmesan with feta cheese. Maybe even tossing in some kalamata olives. YUM!

Pasta bowls filled with al dente bow tie pasta in light cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms.

Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta 

Add cooked mild Italian sausage (crumbled or sausages cut into thirds); you can brown it and drain it in the Instant pot on saute mode if desired. Be sure to remove and drain the excess oil before starting the recipe.

Chicken Farfalle Pasta 

When you are feeding a growing family, you find ways to add protein however possible. I grilled a couple of chicken breasts that I had marinated in a zesty Italian vinaigrette, sliced, and served on top of the pasta with a drizzle of nutty balsamic glaze. Or you may toss in rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken when adding the sun-dried tomatoes and cheese.

Chicken farfalle in bowl drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Add grilled or pre-cooked chicken and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Storage Tips

For the fridge | Cool bow pasta completely and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. 

To reheat bow-tie pasta recipes; place the pasta in a skillet or saucepan over low heat, add a few tablespoons of broth, water or extra cream as you slowly warm the dish. If the sauce starts curdling, try adding a little piece of cream cheese and stirring that into the warming pasta, a tablespoon of butter would also do the trick. But don’t worry, while it might look bad, it’s still fine to eat.

How to microwave leftover creamy pasta

If you prefer to microwave your leftover pasta, place in a microwave safe dish, add a few tablespoons of water or broth, cover it with a paper towel, and reheat for 1 minute at 70% power. Stir and reheat until hot in 30-second bursts, stirring between heatings. 

Can you freeze bow-tie pasta?

You can freeze cooked, cooled, and drained butterfly, bow-tie pasta! However; since this recipe contains cheese and cream, I do not recommend freezing as the ingredients will separate when reheating, causing it to look curdled. It’s still fine to eat, so if your only option is throwing it away or freezing it, then, by all means, freeze your bow-tie pasta in an airtight container for up to 2 months. 

Creamy bowtie pasta on plate with garlic bread and salad.

Stovetop Easy Bow Tie Pasta Recipe Instructions

I get it, not everyone has an Instant Pot so how do you cook bow tie pasta on the stovetop?

  • Prepare bowtie pasta or farfalle according to package directions, to your taste, I like al dente, reserve a little pasta water.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
  • Add the mushrooms to the pan; saute mushrooms for 4-6 minutes or until tender and browned.
  • Over medium heat, deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping any browned bits (= flavor!) off the bottom, whisk in Prosecco, garlic, kosher salt, pepper, and onion powder.
  • Slowly whisk in the cream and simmer for 4-5 minutes or until just thickened – do not boil.
  • Whisk in the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously, until the cheese has melted. Add sun-dried tomatoes and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in cooked and drained bowtie pasta, mixing until sauce covers it all. Serve immediately and garnish with chopped Italian parsley and additional fresh shaved parmesan. 
Creamy Bow Tie Pasta recipe with grilled chicken on top.

What to Serve with Bow-Tie Pasta

Best Main Dish to Serve with Farfalle Pasta

This creamy pasta is a meal in itself, but if you prefer to serve it as a side dish, I suggest serving with these easy Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers, this Easy 30 minute Chicken Parmesan Recipe or this Chicago-style Deep dish Pizza.

Air Fryer sausage with peppers with spicy brown mustard ale sauce.

Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers with Spicy Ale Mustard

Air Fryer Sausage with Peppers pairs the savory taste of Italian sausage with the sweetness of peppers for a perfect game day snack or an easy dinner. With a kicked up spicy ale mustard dipping sauce, it's an easy recipe the whole family will love.

Easy 30 minute Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Easy and Quick Chicken Parmesan is the perfect skillet 30 minute meal. Easily adapted for low-carb, Gluten Free and Keto diets. Lightly breaded chicken breasts, simmered in a hearty marinara sauce, topped with creamy mozzarella and parmesan cheese, served over your favorite pasta or zoodles.

Chicago-Style Deep dish pizza in pan with condiments fresh out of the oven.

Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza Recipe

The best Chicago-style deep-dish pizza recipe! An incredible and easy butter crust pizza is filled with cheese, your favorite toppings, and a rich, zesty chunky tomato sauce, and can even be frozen for later!

Best dessert to serve with this yummy butterfly pasta

Go all fancy, and whip up this no-bake Italian Tiramisu or this creamy and delicious Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake.

Square image of slice of creamy easy traditional tiramisu recipe.

Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe

Traditional Tiramisu is an Italian dessert recipe with layers of mascarpone custard, whipped cream, layered between rum and espresso soaked ladyfingers.

Lemon crinkle cookies on round cutting board.

Easy Soft Lemon Crinkle Cookie Recipe (without cake mix)

Unlike other lemon cookie recipes, this Lemon Crinkle Cookie recipe is made without cake mix, using simple pantry ingredients. With fresh lemon flavor from real lemon juice and zest for the perfect light and tangy cookie. 

Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe with image of cake on platter with slice removed, topped with powdered sugar and lemon rind.

Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe

You are going to love my Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe. This rich, moist cake is an easy cake recipe filled with rich lemon flavor and creamy ricotta that is an authentic Italian treat – made right in your kitchen. This easy lemon ricotta cake may look plain, but the taste is out of this world! An Italian cheesecake if you will!

More Instant Pot Recipes you will love:

Bow tie pasta in pasta bowls to pin.

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Creamy bow-tie pasta in pasta bowls with Italian salad behind.

Easy Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Recipe (Farfalle Pasta)

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 39 votes
This light and creamy Bow Tie Pasta recipe is easy enough for everyday, elegant enough for company. A restaurant-quality pasta dinner; in a light Italian Cream Sauce, loaded with flavor.  Ready in about 20 minutes using your Instant Pot or stovetop this easy pasta recipe is ready in minutes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Additional Time 9 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 -8 servings
Calories 445 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot 6 Qt Pressure Cooker,

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 oz Bow tie Pasta, aka, Farfalle pasta, butterfly pasta
  • 1 cup mushrooms, chopped | I used baby Portabella’s any type will work
  • 2 tablespoons butter, or olive oil | either works great!
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, in oil or dry, julienne cut
  • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth, or water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream , not fat free, | sub with half and half but won't be as thick or creamy
  • 1/4 cup Prosecco , dry sparkling wine, replace with dry white wine or additional broth.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder, replace with minced garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/3-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shredded

Instructions
 

  • Turn Instant Pot (IP) to the "Saute" mode and allow it to heat until it reads "HOT"!
  • Add butter or olive oil to IP and allow to melt, then toss in chopped mushrooms and saute until soft, a few minutes.
  • Pour in broth (or water), scraping the bottom of the pan to release any bits, this is called deglazing the pan. Turn off IP.
  • Add garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, heavy cream and Prosecco, give it all a quick stir.
  • Pour in bow-tie pasta, pressing down lightly with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed almost all of it is under liquid.
  • Close IP lid, lock and secure (close vent) and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 4 minutes. It takes about 5 minutes to come to pressure, allow for a 4-5 minute natural release (longer if at altitude), then release the rest of the steam, carefully. see notes for high altitude.
  • Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, the sauce will thicken as it cools. If desired, sprinkle with some chopped Italian parsley or fresh basil.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Storage Tips
For the fridge | Cool bow pasta completely and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. 
To reheat bow-tie pasta recipes, place the pasta in a skillet or saucepan over low heat, and add a few tablespoons of broth, water or extra cream as you slowly warm the dish. If the sauce starts curdling, add a little piece of cream cheese or butter and stir that into the warming pasta. If it still curdles, it’s still safe to eat. 

How to microwave leftover creamy pasta

If you prefer to microwave your leftover pasta, place in a microwave-safe dish, add a few tablespoons of water or broth, cover it with a paper towel, and reheat for 1 minute at 70% power. Stir and reheat until hot in 30-second bursts, stirring between heatings, add a splash of cream at the very end or a little extra parmesan cheese. 
Can you freeze bow-tie pasta?
You can freeze-cooked, cooled, and drained butterfly bow-tie pasta! Since this recipe contains cheese and cream, I do not recommend freezing as the ingredients will separate when reheating, causing it to look curdled. It’s still fine to eat, so if your only option is throwing it away or freezing it, then, by all means, freeze your bow-tie pasta in an airtight container for up to 2 months. 
High Altitude Bow Pasta Instructions: I cook at 5280 above sea level; I kept the cooking time at 4 minutes and let sit for an additional 1
minute in the natural release time.
How to Reheat Creamy Pasta : You can microwave it, but do it slowly and add a tablespoon or two of water or broth ahead of time. But I prefer to reheat on the stovetop, add a few tablespoons of broth or water, stir around, and add a splash of cream if it thins out too much.
This recipe may be doubled, if too watery when you release the pressure, turn IP to simmer and stir until desired thickness.
Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta | Add cooked mild Italian sausage (crumbled or sausages cut into thirds); you can brown it and drain it in the Instant pot on saute mode if desired. Be sure to remove and drain the excess oil before starting the recipe.
Chicken Farfalle Pasta | Grill a couple chicken breasts marinated in a zesty Italian vinaigrette, sliced, and served on top of the pasta with a drizzle of nutty balsamic glaze. Or toss in rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken when adding the sun-dried tomatoes and cheese.
Stove Top Instructions:
  • Prepare bowtie pasta or farfalle according to package directions, to your taste.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. 
  • Add the mushrooms to the pan and season; saute mushrooms for 4-6 minutes or until tender and browned.
  • Deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping any browned bits (= flavor!) off the bottom, and whisk in Prosecco, garlic, pepper, and onion powder.
  • Slowly add the cream and simmer for 4-5 minutes or until just thickened – do not boil.
  • Whisk in the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously, until the cheese has melted. Add sun-dried tomatoes and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in cooked and drained bowtie pasta, mixing until sauce covers it all. Serve immediately!
Recipe used with permission from Devour Dinner.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving (main dish) Calories: 445 kcal Carbohydrates: 50 g Protein: 15 g Fat: 20 g Saturated Fat: 12 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g Trans Fat: 0.2 g Cholesterol: 54 mg Sodium: 813 mg Potassium: 591 mg Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 6 g Vitamin A: 738 IU Vitamin C: 3 mg Calcium: 148 mg Iron: 2 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Take a look at all of our 2021 Freaky Friday Spring Edition Recipes:

  1. A Dish of Daily Life – Smoky Chicken Street Tacos
  2. An Affair from the Heart – Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Butter
  3. An Affair from the Heart – Blueberry Mojitos
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  5. The Carefree Kitchen – Glazed Lemon Cookies
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  10. Hostess at Heart – No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake 
  11. House of Nash Eats – Roast Beef Sliders
  12. Lemon Blossoms – Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars
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  15. Off the Eaten Path – Grilled Vegan Guacamole
  16. Or Whatever You Do – Blackstone Mexican Style Street Corn
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Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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66 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    At first, I didn’t realise this was an Instant Pot recipe but was delighted that I can make it with my handy kitchen assistant. Worked a treat, pasta cooked perfectly and very delicious.

  2. 5 stars
    Oh my goodness, you had me at pasta, mushrooms and heavy cream! The Prosecco and Parmesan cheese really take this dish over the top. I loved your suggestion to add grilled chicken, which pairs so beautifully with the tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Thanks for the stovetop directions, too. Loved reading about your connections with Rebecca at Devour Dinner!

  3. Drooling!! Instant Pot dinners are always so convenient, and every time I see a new recipe, I scold myself for not using my IP more! This one is FOR SURE happening at our house. So much yum!

  4. I Love love this recipe and you have done such a fantastic job remaking my recipe. Your photos are stunning. So glad you loved this recipe. It’s a keeper and among my favorites.

  5. Our favorite bistro in town serves a similar pasta dish. I can’t wait to recreate it at home with this recipe! It looks easy and amazingly good!

  6. 5 stars
    What a great write up on a delicious recipe! One of my FAVORITES from Disney too. I loved all your extra tips and ideas. Your photos are stunning! I’m definitely going to try this with a Balsamic Drizzle. Yum! ❤️