Bow Tie Pasta

Pasta is a go-to dinner for a reason. It's fast, easy, and puts a smile on most people's faces. When it's made in one pot in 30 minutes, it pleases the cook even more. Less mess, less dishes, and less cleanup—who's in?! This bow tie pasta recipe checks all of those boxes, and then some. With Italian sausage, crisp broccoli, a creamy sauce, and plenty of parmesan cheese, it's one of the best weeknight 30-minute meals around. Put your saved time toward some cheesy garlic bread and a fresh Caesar salad to round out dinner.

What do you need to make bow tie pasta?

This easy weeknight recipe uses several ingredients you may already have in the kitchen. Of course you'll need bow tie pasta (also known as farfalle), as well as chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, lemon, and spices. Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and broccoli round out the dish. Together, these ingredients make a deeply satisfying and flavor-packed dinner.

What's special about sun-dried tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes have a bright, super-concentrated tomato taste that's a little sweet, a little tart, and much tangier than regular tomatoes. They add a big punch of flavor to this pasta dish.

What is a julienne cut?

To julienne means to slice food into long, thin strips, like matchsticks. In this recipe, the sun-dried tomatoes are julienned. You can buy them pre-sliced this way at most grocery stores, but if yours are whole, it's easy to do yourself. And don't worry—they don't have to be perfect. As long as they're cut into thin, bite-size pieces, they'll work just fine.

When should you use bow tie pasta in recipes?

Bow tie pasta is a versatile shape that works well in a variety of pasta dishes, cold salads, and soups. It's great tossed with a simple marinara or meat sauce. And it's unique shape catches all the goodness of the herbs, veggies, and cheese in a pasta salad. It also makes a perfect bite-sized addition to an Italian-style soup like pasta fagioli.

What is a good substitute for bow tie pasta?

Short, bite-sized pastas such as shells, orecchiette, mini penne, or mezzi ("half") rigatoni all make excellent substitutes for bow tie (or farfalle) pasta.

How to Make Bow Tie Pasta

INGREDIENTS

• Sausage: The recipe calls for mild Italian pork sausage, but if you want more heat, use hot Italian sausage. You can buy it loose or remove it from its casings.
• Pasta: Bow tie (aka farfalle) is what you're looking for. If your store is out of stock, a short pasta like penne, mezzi rigatoni, or shells will work fine.
• Broth: Use store-bought chicken broth or homemade stock.
• Broccoli: If you're not a fan of broccoli, swap it out for another green veggie like snap peas or asparagus cut into 2-inch pieces.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring bold, concentrated flavor to this recipe. They’re sold dry or packed in oil—this recipe uses oil-packed for their soft texture and rich, seasoned taste that blends easily into the sauce.
• Cream: Just a splash adds body to the sauce so it coats the noodles nicely.
• Parmesan: This classic cheese adds savory, nutty depth to the dish. You can use another hard, salty cheese like Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano if you prefer.
• Lemon juice: This is key for adding brightness to cut through the rich cream, cheese, and sausage.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Start by cooking the sausage in a large pot with a drizzle of olive oil. Break the sausage into small bite-sized pieces as it cooks. When it's crisp and golden brown, transfer the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pot.

Next, toss in the minced garlic and cook until it's fragrant.

Now add the bow ties along with water, dried oregano, salt, and pepper and bring the liquid to a simmer. Let it cook, stirring regularly to keep the noodles from sticking together, then add the broccoli florets and cover the pot for five minutes, until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender and the pasta is al dente.

Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and sausage.

Finally, finish the pasta off the heat by stirring in grated parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Serve it up with more parmesan and a sprinkle of red chili flakes for those who like a little more heat.

A full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.