Bow Tie Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce (30 minute meal)

If you need a quick and easy weeknight meal, farfalle (bowtie pasta) with bacon is the perfect option!

This creamy butterfly pasta pleaser comes together in minutes, looks elegant, and everyone will want your recipe!

What is Farfalle?

Farfalle is a pasta shape that looks like bow ties, but the actual Italian definition is ‘butterflies’ and both terms apply.

It’s about 3/4” to 1” long, is pinched in the center and the ends flay out, like a bowtie or wings. The edges may or may not be crimped depending on the brand.

When cooked the center of this pasta keeps a bit of extra bite or chew adding great texture to dishes.

Ingredients

FARFALLE AKA bow tie pasta is the choice here, but it’s OK to switch it for something different. Choose a medium pasta that the sauce will cling to like penne, rotini, or cavatappi.

CHEESE Ricotta and cream cheese are the base for this dish and make for a delicious sauce. Neufchatel is a lower fat version of cream cheese found in the dairy aisle as well.

BACON adds a great smoky and salt flavor to this dish. Feel free to substitute any kind of chopped cured meat for a flavor variation.

VEGGIES Add in your favorites from thick slices of mushrooms and chopped spinach to leftover asparagus.

Ingredient Tip

Garlic paste can be purchased in the produce section of the supermarket, although, it’s easy (and cheaper) to make your own. Mince some garlic, add a pinch of salt, and crush with the back of a spoon until it becomes a paste.

How to Make Creamy Farfalle

1. Cook farfalle pasta until al dente.
2. Cook chopped bacon until crispy. Add garlic paste, cheeses, and seasonings.
3. Combine the bacon cheese sauce with the pasta and serve.

Tips and Timesavers

• Use room temperature cream cheese and ricotta, it will be easier to mix and cook with.
• Prepare all ingredients ahead of time as this dish comes together FAST!
• Keep the bacon fat in the pan, it adds great flavor.
• To save time, use pre-cooked real bacon bits. Pan fry them with a bit of oil to crisp and add flavor and proceed with the recipe as direcred.
• While the pasta cooks prepare the sauce and the whole dish should be ready to serve in about 20 minutes.

Delicious Pasta Dishes

• Crockpot Ravioli – only 4 ingredients
• Creamy Mushroom Tagliatelle – so easy and elegant
• Instant Pot Lasagna – a one-pot wonder
• Cheese Tortellini – with quick tomato sauce
• Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells – freezer-friendly

Did you make this creamy Farfalle recipe? Let us know how you liked it by leaving a comment below! 

Farfalle with Creamy Bacon Sauce

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon, this pasta dish is sure to be loved by the whole crowd!

Course Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 686

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

• 1 pound farfalle pasta
• ½ pound bacon chopped, about 7 or 8 strips
• 2 tablespoons garlic paste
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 2 cups frozen peas
• Parmesan cheese for serving
• fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to package directions adding peas for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, add the chopped bacon to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until almost completely cooked.
• Add the garlic paste to the bacon and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add the ricotta, cream cheese, and seasonings to the bacon and stir until smooth and thick.
• Add the bacon cheese sauce to the pasta and stir to coat.
• Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

Any short pasta like rotini, penne, or cavatappi will work well.

Garlic paste is generally found in the produce section near the herbs. However, you can make your own at home or you can substitute 3 cloves of garlic (minced).

Cutting the cream cheese into cubes before adding to the pan allows it to melt quicker.

Use room temperature cream cheese and ricotta, it will be easier to mix and cook with.

Prepare all ingredients ahead of time as this dish comes together FAST! 

To save time, use pre-cooked real bacon bits. Pan fry them with a bit of oil to crisp and add flavor and proceed with the recipe as direcred.

While the pasta cooks prepare the sauce and the whole dish should be ready to serve in just over 20 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 686 | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1099IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 2mg

Recipe adapted from LifeStyle.

from Spend With Pennies https://ift.tt/3qC20iG
via Spend With Pennies - Easy Recipes, Home Tips, Time Savers and More!