This Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle) recipe is quick, easy, and full of flavor, with a creamy sauce the whole family will love! It takes less than 20 minutes in the Instant Pot. Add chicken or beef for extra protein, or keep it vegetarian — your choice.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Caitlin raved about this recipe: “This is my go-to pasta recipe on weeknights, love it!”
Originally published in 2021, this post has been updated in 2023 and 2026 with improved instructions, helpful tips, and a better overall reader experience.
Why You’ll Love This Farfalle Pasta Dish
As a busy mom, I’m always looking for quick meals that still feel a little special, and this Instant Pot Bow Tie Pasta checks all the boxes. It’s creamy, comforting, and ready in about 20 minutes. Seriously!
Honestly, it’s one I try to make almost weekly in our house, sometimes with chicken, sometimes fish, and sometimes even leftover steak. It’s been a family favorite for years, and the Instant Pot just makes it that much easier.
No Instant Pot? No worries; I’ve included stovetop instructions too. It’s the kind of flexible dinner you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
Looking for more quick dinner ideas like this one? Browse my collection of Instant Pot Recipes for easy, family-friendly meals that come together fast. And if creamy pasta is your love language, you’ll definitely want to try my friend’s Boursin Chicken Pasta, perfect for busy weeknights. Another great pasta night option is my Marry Me Chicken, loaded with flavor and simple enough for any night of the week.
Farfalle Pasta Recipe 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 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 Variations
- Italian Sausage – Add cooked mild Italian sausage (crumbled or cut into thirds). Brown in the Instant Pot on sauté if desired, then drain excess oil before starting the recipe.
- Chicken – Top with sliced grilled chicken marinated in Italian vinaigrette and drizzle with balsamic glaze, or stir in rotisserie/pre-cooked chicken when adding the sun-dried tomatoes and cheese.
- Spicy – Add a few shakes of red pepper flakes while sautéing the mushrooms.
- Extra Seasoning – Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- Change the Veggies – Skip mushrooms if you prefer and add red peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes.
- Fresh Aromatics – Replace garlic powder with 1–2 cloves minced garlic and onion powder with ½ chopped onion; sauté with the mushrooms.
- Mediterranean Style – Add artichoke hearts, eggplant, spinach (at the end), peas, sliced red onion, or bell peppers. Olives or capers are also delicious stirred in.
- Add Brightness – A splash of lemon juice, balsamic vinegar or glaze, or red wine vinegar brightens the flavors.
- Add Protein – Stir in cooked chicken, meatballs, Italian sausage, or shrimp (add shrimp at the end and cover until opaque).
- Swap the Cheese – Replace parmesan with feta and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired twist.
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.
For Freaky Friday, Michaela from An Affair from the Heart assigns each of us another blogger’s recipe to make and share in our own words.
Some of my past Freaky Friday recipes include Cranberry Bourbon Sour, Sweet Molasses Brown Bread, Mint Fudge Brownies, and Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies.
Meet Rebecca of Devour Dinner
This round I cooked from Rebecca’s blog, Devour Dinner. We’re both boy moms and both started blogging in 2017, so I instantly felt a connection.
Rebecca is known as the Instant Pot Queen, sharing tons of easy recipes (and she’s a big Disney fan; don’t miss her Disney Grey Stuff recipe!).
I tested a few of her dishes like Tuna Noodle Casserole, but this Bow Tie Pasta was the clear family favorite.
Expert Tips
- Deglaze the pot well. After sautéing the mushrooms, pour in the broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot. This prevents the burn warning and adds extra flavor to the sauce.
- Press the pasta under the liquid. Once you add the farfalle, gently press it down so it’s mostly submerged, so the pasta cooks evenly.
- Let the sauce thicken naturally. Stir in the Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes after pressure cooking; the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Don’t rush the natural release. Allow about 4–5 minutes of natural pressure release before venting to keep the pasta tender and the sauce creamy.
- For perfect Instant Pot pasta texture: Slightly undercook it. Pressure cooking for 4 minutes gives you an al dente bite and prevents mushy pasta as it continues softening in the hot sauce.
Storage
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.
FAQs
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.
- Don’t forget the garlic bread!
- Toss in some cooked asparagus!
More Instant Pot Recipes you will love:
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Originally published in 2021 and updated in 2023 and 2026 to improve the recipe, instructions, and overall reader experience.
Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 Qt Pressure Cooker,
Ingredients
- 8 ounces 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!
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil or dry, julienne cut
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth or water
- ½ cup heavy cream not fat free, | sub with half and half but won't be as thick or creamy
- ¼ 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
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ⅓-1/2 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.2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup mushrooms
- Pour in broth (or water), scraping the bottom of the pan to release any bits, this is called deglazing the pan. Turn off IP.1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- Add garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, heavy cream and Prosecco, give it all a quick stir.½ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ cup Prosecco
- Pour in bow-tie pasta, pressing down lightly with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed almost all of it is under liquid.8 ounces 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 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.¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, ⅓-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Notes
Storage
- Refrigerate | Cool completely and store bow tie pasta in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Reheat (Best Method) | Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a few tablespoons of broth, water, or cream to loosen the sauce. If it separates, stir in a small piece of butter or cream cheese.
- Microwave | Place in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water or broth. Cover with a paper towel and heat at 70% power for 1 minute, stirring and reheating in 30-second bursts until hot. Add a splash of cream or extra parmesan at the end if needed.
- Freezing | You can freeze cooked pasta for up to 2 months, but creamy sauces may separate when reheated.
- High Altitude | At 5280 ft, cook for 4 minutes with 1 minute natural release.
- Doubling the Recipe | If the sauce seems thin after pressure cooking, switch to sauté/simmer and stir until thickened.
- 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:
- A Dish of Daily Life – Smoky Chicken Street Tacos
- An Affair from the Heart – Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Butter
- An Affair from the Heart – Blueberry Mojitos
- Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Easy Chile Relleno Casserole
- The Carefree Kitchen – Glazed Lemon Cookies
- The Culinary Compass – Easy Candied Pecan Recipe
- Devour Dinner – Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
- The Foodie Affair – Keto Broccoli Salad
- The Fresh Cooky – Bowtie Pasta Recipe
- Hostess at Heart – No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
- House of Nash Eats – Roast Beef Sliders
- Lemon Blossoms – Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars
- Lemoine Family Kitchen – Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Life, Love & Good Food – Sandwich Cubano
- Off the Eaten Path – Grilled Vegan Guacamole
- Or Whatever You Do – Blackstone Mexican Style Street Corn
- The Speckled Palate – Lemon Bars
- Take Two Tapas – Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
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!
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!