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.
Why You’ll Love This Fafalle Pasta Dish
- 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
For Freaky Friday, Michaela from An Affair from the Heart assigned each of us another blogger’s recipe to make, photograph, and share in our own words 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.
Meet Rebecca of Devour Dinner
I had so much fun cooking from Rebecca’s blog, Devour Dinner, for this round of Freaky Friday! We have a lot in common — both moms to boys (I totally get the taxi driving and feeding hungry teens life!) — and we both started our blogs back in 2017.
Rebecca is known as the Instant Pot Queen, with a fantastic collection of easy and approachable recipes. She’s also a big Disney fan — don’t miss her Disney “Grey Stuff” recipe!
Since I’m more of an Instant Pot Scullery Maid, I tried a few of her beginner-friendly recipes: Tuna Noodle Casserole, Grandma’s Mac & Cheese, and this Bow Tie Pasta. The creamy bow tie pasta was the hands-down family favorite — and I think you’re going to love it too!
Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Ingredients
This bow-tie pasta was inspired by a Disney Cruise Line meal Rebecca had while cruising — 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.
- Stock or Broth: I use chicken stock, but if you want 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 use 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!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Recommended Tools
- This is the 6 qt Instant Pot our family of four uses, I love it! However; if I were purchasing today, I would purchase this one with the air fryer lid option!
- Measuring Cups | I personally love Pyrex Measuring cups for my liquid measures, they clean so well!
How to Make Creamy Farfalle Pasta in The Instant Pot
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.
Farfalle Pasta Recipe Variations
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 ยฝ 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!
How to Make Bowtie Pasta on the Stovetop
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, using a large pot of salted water. Cook al dente, and 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.
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.
Storing Bow Tie Pasta
In the fridge: Cool leftovers completely and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
To reheat: Warm pasta in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth, water, or cream. If the sauce curdles, stir in a bit of cream cheese or butter — it may not look perfect, but it will still taste great.
How to microwave leftover creamy pasta
Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish with a few tablespoons of water or broth. Cover with a paper towel and heat at 70% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue heating in 30-second bursts until hot.
Can you freeze bow tie pasta?
You can freeze cooked and cooled bow-tie pasta, but since this recipe uses cheese and cream, the sauce may separate when reheated. It’s still safe to eat — so if the choice is tossing it or freezing it, freeze it in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 bow–tie 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.
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.
What to Serve With This Farfalle Pasta Recipe
- Salad is the obvious choice! Try this Italian Chopped Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing.
- We also love these Steak house Romaine Wedge salads with Chunky Blue Cheese dressing.
More Instant Pot Recipes you will love:
- Instant Pot Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya
- Crack Chicken
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Instant Pot Rustic Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
- Best Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
- Glazed Tarragon Carrots
I hope you loved this easy Bow-Tie Pasta recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
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!
- ยผ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil or dry, julienne cut
- 1 ยพ cups chicken broth or water
- ยฝ cup heavy cream not fat free, | sub with half and half but won't be as thick or creamy
- ยผ 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
- ยฝ teaspoon onion powder
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- โ -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.
Notes
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 1minute 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!
Nutrition
Take a look at all of our 2021 Freaky Friday Spring Edition Recipes:
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- An Affair from the Heart – Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Butter
- An Affair from the Heart – Blueberry Mojitos
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- The Carefree Kitchen – Glazed Lemon Cookies
- The Culinary Compass – Easy Candied Pecan Recipe
- Devour Dinner – Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
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- The Fresh Cooky – Bowtie Pasta Recipe
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- House of Nash Eats – Roast Beef Sliders
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Amy
This one is definitely a keeper. I’m obsessed with the flavors of the mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. And so easy, too!
Thanks so much!!
Jules
We just loved this creamy pasta recipe and using the bow tie pasta made it a fun filling meal.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it.
Janelle
Great recipe. My hubs especially loved it.
So glad to hear that, Janelle! Thank you.
Irena
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.
Thanks!!
Sara Welch
This was such an easy and satisfying dish that does not disappoint! Light yet hearty, and hands down delicious!ย
So glad you liked it, Sara! Thank you!
Suja md
Better than store-bought and so much more wholesome! Loving these!
Thank you!
Nikki
This is total comfort food and so easy to make in the IP! Thanks for sharing!
So easy! Glad you loved it!
Biana
This pasta dish looks delicious! Such a fun summer dinner to serve with a green salad.
Thanks!
Rebecca
Great recipe and so easy to make, love bowtie pasta but this recipe stepped it up a notch. It’s delicious.
Thank you!
Debi
Such an easy dinner to make and everyone loved it. The sun dried tomatoes added little bits of chewy goodness.
So glad you enjoyed it, Debi! Thanks!