Easy Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

This Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta is easy to make and only uses a few simple ingredients that you can easily pick up while you are at your local grocery store. It is perfect for home cooks in tiny kitchens because it only requires a few easy steps, yet the flavor is out of this world!

This is my husband’s favorite recipe! I have been making it for years and I keep trying to tell him that even HE could make it, but he’s skeptical. 

If you want to feel like a superhero at dinner, make this meal for your friends and family. Only you need to know just how quick and easy it was to throw together.

I always give instructions with step-by-step photos in my posts just in case some readers have questions. But if you are just here for the recipe, click the JUMP TO RECIPE tab under the title and it will take you straight there. You can also print the recipe card with full instructions or you can click one of the SHARE BUTTONS and save it for later!

Let’s gather up the ingredients

• Barilla Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle Pasta is the technical name) You learn something new every day! They literally look like little bow ties 🙂 The shape of the pasta really doesn’t matter, you just want something hearty that will stand up to the thick and chunky sauce. 
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Italian Sausage– You can use whatever you prefer here. Spicy, mild, sweet. I prefer to use the sweet because then I can adjust my heat level, but you do you!
• Red pepper flakes– For a spicy kick!
• Onion- Use whatever you have on hand. I prefer red onions. 
• Garlic
• Italian Diced Tomatoes– You could use plain diced tomatoes here. Just add some oregano and basil to jazz them up. 
• Heavy cream– This is what makes the creamy tomato sauce velvety and rich.
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Fresh basil– Adds brightness to the dish as well as a beautiful vibrant color.
• Parmesan– Freshly grated always tastes best! 

Tips for success: If you wanted to add in some fresh flavors, you could definitely chop up some green onions, bell peppers or add some fresh tomatoes. 

Now Let’s get cooking!

We live in our RV full-time and have limited space, so I have a one-pan option for this delicious dinner. My co-worker gave me this amazing deep, large skillet for Christmas one year. I love this thing and use it all the time. But, if you don’t have a skillet deep enough to boil pasta, you could always do this in a pot AND a pan. No biggie, just not quite as efficient. 

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.

Remember, the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce. As it simmers, it will absorb all of those magnificent flavors from the onion, garlic, and Italian sausage! 

Once the sauce is as thick and creamy as you would like it, give it all one last mix and dinner is ready.

See, I told you even my husband could do it!

If you want a pasta dish that is not quite as heavy, but equally delicious, you should try this Angel Hair Pomodoro. It is another quick and easy one-pot recipe made with fresh tomatoes in under 30 minutes!

How to serve

Serve with some crusty garlic bread and salad for a complete meal that the whole family will love in under an hour. No muss no fuss!

Pair with

How to store leftovers

Not only does this easy recipe make a quick dinner for busy weeknights, but the leftovers are just as delicious! Simply store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. When you want to reheat, add a splash of cream or water to the bowl or container and stir before popping it into the microwave for a minute or two.

Now you have a light lunch for the following day. Trust me, your co-workers will be drooling over the fantastic aroma coming from the microwave. 

So the next time you have a craving for food just like you get at your local Italian restaurant, save yourself some money. You can definitely make it way better at home. Your taste buds will thank you. 

This easy dinner is a family favorite in our house. It is perfect for weeknight meals, special occasions, or family gatherings. 

I hope your family enjoys this delicious recipe just as much as ours.

More recipes to try

Pappadeaux Creamy Cajun Pasta Recipe

Amazing Crockpot Bolognese Sauce

The Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

As always, if you decide to make this Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta, please be sure to give it a rating and let me know how yours turned out. I love hearing your feedback and I will do my best to answer any questions you have as quickly as I can.

 I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours. 

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