Easy Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

Rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, this Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta is one of my husband's all-time favorite meals-and for good reason. Bow tie pasta meets a savory tomato-cream sauce, flavorful Italian sausage, and fragrant garlic and onions, all finished with fresh basil and Parmesan.

I've been making this Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta for years, and it's consistently been a favorite in our home. We first made it when our kids were still around, and even now, as empty nesters cooking in our RV, it's a dish that never disappoints.

The flavors are bold and comforting, yet the recipe is simple and adaptable, which is why it's become a staple in our kitchen.

Let's Gather Up the Ingredients

• Barilla Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle): Sturdy pasta that holds up to the thick, creamy sauce. Plus, those little bow ties are just fun!

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps brown the sausage and sauté the aromatics.

• Italian Sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor. Sweet, mild, or spicy all work-sweet is my favorite because you can control the heat.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Gives the dish a gentle kick of spice to balance the creaminess.

• Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor. Red onions are my go-to, but any onion works.

• Garlic: Builds aromatic flavor and enhances the overall richness of the sauce.

• Italian Diced Tomatoes: Form the base of the sauce. You can use plain diced tomatoes and season with oregano and basil if preferred.

• Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce velvety, creamy, and rich-essential for that luscious texture.

• Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.

• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and rounds out the seasoning.

• Fresh Basil: Adds brightness, freshness, and a pop of vibrant green color.

• Parmesan: Freshly grated cheese melts beautifully into the sauce and adds a nutty, savory finish.

Tips for Success: To add extra freshness and color, feel free to toss in chopped green onions, spinach, or fresh tomatoes.

Now Let's Get Cooking

Since we spend a lot of time traveling in our RV, I've developed a one-pan version of this dinner that works perfectly in a small space.

A few years ago, a co-worker gave me a deep, oversized skillet for Christmas, and I use it all the time for meals like this. If you don't have a skillet that's deep enough to cook the pasta, you can absolutely make this using a pot for the pasta and a separate pan for the sauce-it just takes a little extra step.

Cook the bowtie pasta

Cook the pasta until it's just shy of "al dente" according to the package directions (you want it just short of being done so that you can finish the cooking process in the sauce).

Drain the pasta, but don't rinse it. The starch on the pasta will help to thicken the sauce.

Trust me on this. If the pasta sticks together a bit, just use your fingers to break it apart before adding it back into the sauce. 

Brown the Italian sausage

Add the oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sausage using a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces.

Cook until the sausage is evenly browned.

Next, add the onions and garlic. Cook until the onions have softened and are slightly translucent.

Make the sauce

Now stir in the tomatoes, cream, salt, fresh basil, and grated parmesan cheese.

Tips for success: I like to use fresh grated parmesan as opposed to shredded, just because it melts into the sauce more easily.

Simmer for about 5 minutes, then add the bow-tie pasta back into the pan.

The pasta finishes cooking right in the sauce, soaking up all the rich flavors from the onions, garlic, and Italian sausage. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness and creaminess, give everything one final stir, and dinner is ready to serve.

This meal is so easy even my husband could make it!

For years, I was used to cooking for a full table-two growing boys with big appetites, plus my husband and me. Now that we're empty nesters, I've had to rethink the way I cook. 

Scaling down recipes isn't always as simple as cutting everything in half, and when we're traveling, our RV fridge just isn't big enough to hold a bunch of leftovers. At the same time, I don't want to give up the meals we've always loved. 

That's why I have started to write my recipes both ways-one for a family-sized portion and one designed just for two. Whether you're still cooking for a crowd or figuring out how to make your favorite dishes work in a smaller household, I want my recipes to be flexible and practical for wherever you are in life.

Substitutions and Variations

Vegetables: Feel free to toss in bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to add extra color and flavor.

Pasta: Any short, sturdy pasta works-penne, rigatoni, or even rotini can stand up to the creamy sauce.

Sausage: Use sweet, mild, or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference. You could also swap for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.

Cream: Half-and-half or whole milk can replace heavy cream if you want a slightly lighter sauce.

Cheese: Parmesan is ideal, but Pecorino Romano works well too. Pre-grated is fine in a pinch, though fresh will melt best.

How to serve

Serve this Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta straight from the skillet while it's hot and creamy. A Simple Caesar Salad, my Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and a slice of Gooey Butter Cake make it a complete, satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

Garnish the pasta with extra fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a beautiful, flavorful touch.

Pair with

How to store leftovers

This recipe isn't just perfect for a quick weeknight dinner-the leftovers are just as tasty! Store any extras in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When it's time to reheat, add a splash of cream or water and stir before warming in the microwave for a minute or two.

Frequently Asked Questions

The next time you're craving the flavors of an Italian restaurant, try making this at home-you'll be amazed at how easy it is to get a rich, restaurant-quality meal without leaving the kitchen.

This pasta has been a favorite in our house for years, whether for a simple weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or a family gathering. I hope your family enjoys it just as much as we do!

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