What Is Bow-tie pasta (farfalle) and How Can I Use It?

Bow-tie pasta (farfalle) is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 53 recipes to get you started.

What is bow-tie pasta (farfalle)?

Farfalle is the pinched-center pasta shaped like a small bow tie or butterfly. The Italian name means butterflies, while in English-speaking kitchens it usually goes by bow-tie pasta. Each piece is a flat rectangle gathered tight in the middle, so the two wings stay thin while the center stays plump.

That split personality is the whole charm: a tender ruffled edge and a chewier knot in one bite.

It is a friendly, recognizable shape, which is part of why it turns up so often in family dinners and kids' meals.

Cooking With Farfalle

The two thicknesses matter at the stove. The thin wings cook through fast while the pinched center stays firmer, so the pasta finishes with a built-in range of textures.

Cooked well, that contrast is pleasant; cooked carelessly, the wings go mushy before the knot is done.

Dried farfalle takes about 10 to 12 minutes to al dente. Taste a piece at the center knot, not the wing, to judge doneness, since the middle is the last part to soften.

Stir gently. The thin pinched waist is the weak point, and aggressive boiling or rough stirring snaps bow ties apart, leaving you with loose wings and pinched centers. A steady simmer treats them better than a hard rolling boil. For salting and water amounts, see the pasta hub.

Sauces and Pairings

Farfalle suits light to medium sauces and anything with small, tender pieces. Peas, asparagus tips, flaked salmon, and bits of chicken all sit nicely against the flat wings, as in Pasta with Spring Asparagus & Peas.

It is a strong pasta-salad shape, holding a creamy or vinaigrette dressing in its folds, and it carries a cream or cheese sauce well, like the Chicken & Mushroom Pasta in Creamy Sauce. The flat shape also takes a quick stir-fry, as the Stir-Fried Bow Ties with Chicken, Broccoli & Tomatoes shows.

The mismatch is a heavy, chunky meat ragu. Big chunks have nowhere to lodge on the flat wings and slide right off, so leave the hearty braises to tubes and reach for farfalle when the sauce is lighter.

Substitutes

There is no shape that twins a bow tie, but for the same light-sauce and salad jobs, rotini and fusilli spirals are the closest in spirit and hold dressing just as well. A medium shell, conchiglie, fills a similar role and scoops sauce in its cup.

For a hot dish where looks matter less, penne or campanelle steps in. None of these give the wing-and-knot texture contrast, so expect a more uniform bite.

Buying and Storing

Look for farfalle made from durum wheat or semolina, which the box states. The hard wheat is what keeps the delicate wings from turning to mush and helps the pinched center survive the pot.

Check the box for broken pieces, since farfalle cracks at the waist more than sturdier shapes during shipping.

Dried farfalle keeps for about two years sealed in a cool, dry cupboard and stays usable well beyond that with a little texture loss. Cooked farfalle holds three to four days in the fridge; reheat it gently in sauce, because microwaving the dry pasta makes the thin wings brittle.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find bow-tie pasta (farfalle): Bow-tie pasta (farfalle) is usually found in the pasta section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Pasta, bow-tie (farfalle) is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

面食，蝴蝶结

British (UK) term

Pasta, bow-tie (farfalle)

en français

pâtes, nœud papillon

en español

pasta, pajarita

How much does bow-tie pasta (farfalle) weigh?

Related

Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using bow-tie pasta (farfalle)

There are 53 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Pasta with Spring Asparagus & Peas

Pasta with spring asparagus and peas tossed with butter-softened onion, fresh thyme, basil, a squeeze of lemon, and grated Parmesan. A quick green spring pasta on the table in 30 minutes.

Warm Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Greens & Goat Cheese

Juicy, sweet and tender roasted tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and slightly bitter mixed greens make this mouth-watering pasta dish delicious and nutritious.

Roasted Fennel & Sun dried Tomato Pasta Salad

An American invention, this pasta salad is done right. Caramelized fennel and red onions with sun-dried tomatoes with a light vinaigrette.

Bow-Tie Pasta, Asparagus, Toasted Almonds & Browned Butter

A quick and easy vegetarian pasta main dish with pizzazz. Fun farfalle pasta tossed with nutty almonds and asparagus in tangy buttery sauce.

Pasta with Roasted Vegetables & Balsamic Vinegar

Try this savory pasta dish made with zucchini, tomatoes and sweet bell peppers.

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

This turned out great. The pesto is absolutely perfect and it sticks to the pasta much better than traditional pesto. The bow ties are a great match but I'm sure any pasta would work too. Spirals I think would really hold the pesto. It was fairly quick and easy to make, and only used one pot plus the food processor.

Lobster - Jamaican Style

Chunks of lobster meat sauteed in butter, peppers, garlic and onions served over bowtie pasta.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Broccoli & Cherry Tomato

Love this mediterranean style pasta salad! Marinated artichoke hearts, olives, and feta cheese were a delicious combination. The cherry tomatoes and broccoli add the fresh taste, sometimes we add several strips of roasted bell pepper, or freshly sliced mushrooms, or a few coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Warm Pasta with Broccoli, Bell Pepper & Parmesan

Simply toss warm pasta, cooked broccoli, bell pepper and carrot with a tasty olive oil-lemon dressing and parmesan cheese. A delicious yet nutritious meal is ready to go.

Chicken Caesar Pasta

Sugar snap peas, strips of chicken and greens with pasta and dressed with a garlicky Caesar salad dressing.

Carrots With Bow Tie Pasta

A simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect for lunch on a hot summer day.

Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli

Pasta with chicken and broccoli tossed in a light garlic, white wine, and chicken broth pan sauce with red pepper flakes and Parmesan. One-skillet weeknight dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

Toddler Pasta Vegie Meal

Homemade toddler pasta and veggie meal with bow-tie pasta, sweet potato, broccoli, and chickpeas simmered in broth and thickened. A wholesome, no-added-salt freezer meal you can batch and portion.

Smoked Salmon, Peas & Bow Ties

Creamy bow tie pasta tossed with flaked smoked salmon, sweet green peas, scallions, and chives. A cozy, elegant dinner for two in just 25 minutes.

Salsa Pasta Ole

Bow-tie pasta tossed with salsa and melted Monterey Jack cheese, topped with crispy fried scallions. A quick Mexican-inspired pasta dish ready in 30 minutes.

Tri-Pasta Salad with Herbed Vinaigrette

Tri-pasta salad combines ziti, bow-tie, and spinach rotini with tri-color peppers, olives, and capers in a no-oil herbed red wine vinaigrette. Colorful, tangy, and low-fat for picnics and potlucks.

Country Frittata

Italian pasta frittata loaded with bow-tie noodles, asparagus, mushrooms, and red pepper. Ready in 22 minutes for a hearty brunch or fast weeknight dinner.

Orange & Spinach Pasta Salad

Orange and spinach pasta salad with bow-tie pasta, fresh orange segments, baby spinach, and scallions, tossed in an Italian dressing spiked with orange juice and fennel. Bright, fresh, and lunchbox-ready.

Pasta with Broccoli-Pine Nut Pesto

Farfalle pasta with broccoli pine nut pesto made from blanched broccoli, garlic, olive oil, and white wine vinegar processed into a coarse green sauce with red pepper flakes.

MacAroni & Cheese with Vegetables

Bow-tie pasta in a cheddar-Parmesan cheese sauce with sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, and red bell pepper. A veggie-loaded mac and cheese made from scratch on the stovetop.

Tuna Fish Sauce with Bow Ties

Italian tuna sauce with anchovies, garlic, plum tomatoes, and fresh mint over bow tie pasta. A rustic Southern Italian pantry pasta ready in under an hour.

Beef & Pasta Primavera(1993 National Beef Cook-Off Recip

Stir-fried sirloin strips with bow-tie pasta, cherry tomatoes, mixed vegetables, fresh basil, and Parmesan. A 30-minute National Beef Cook-Off winning recipe.

Pasta & Vegetable Carbonara

Farfalle pasta carbonara with bacon, broccoli, red bell pepper, and Parmesan in a creamy half-and-half sauce. A vegetable-loaded twist on classic carbonara made in one skillet.

Beef with Bow-Tie Pasta

Sirloin steak with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and bow-tie pasta in a basil-tomato broth topped with Parmesan. A light, high-protein skillet dinner ready in just 20 minutes.

Pasta with Smoked Mozzarella, Asparagas & Dried Tomatoes

Pasta with Smoked Mozzarella, Asparagas and Dried Tomatoes recipe

Mushroom Butterflies

Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and lemon zest toss with bow-tie pasta and Parmesan for a simple Italian dinner that's elegant enough for company in 45 minutes.

Beans, Bows, Meatball, Tomato Soup

Homemade meatball soup with bow-tie pasta, chickpeas, spinach, and mushrooms in a basil tomato broth. Italian comfort in a bowl that feeds the whole family.

Pasta with Smoked Mozzarella

Pasta with smoked mozzarella: bow-tie pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh asparagus, thyme, and melty smoked mozzarella. A light pasta dinner that works hot or as a next-day salad.

Tomato-Mushroom Bow Tie Pasta

"'With fresh mushrooms, plum tomatoes and herbs to spice up its flavor, this dish tastes like summertime to me,' says Jacqueline Graves of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Chock-full of garden goodness, the chunky sauce cooks up quickly, too."

Bow Ties & Broccoli Alfredo

Bow tie pasta and tender broccoli bake in creamy Alfredo sauce with roasted red peppers and basil. Parmesan browns on top for a bubbly, golden crust.

Continental Cheese Bake

A bubbly pasta bake loaded with artichoke hearts, chestnut mushrooms, smoked ham, and herbed soft cheese under a golden breadcrumb and cheddar crust. Comfort food with a Continental twist.

Stir-Fried Bow Ties with Chicken, Broccoli & Tomatoes

Farfalle pasta gets the wok treatment with chicken breast, bright broccoli, and juicy cherry tomatoes in a savory soy-chicken broth glaze. A 30-minute weeknight dinner the whole family will devour.

Italian Market Pasta Salad

Italian market pasta salad tosses bow-tie pasta with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, tangy gorgonzola and toasted pine nuts in a balsamic dressing. A light, no-mayo summer salad.

Sunflower & Pasta Salad

Cold bow-tie pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, black olives, cucumbers, radishes, and roasted sunflower seeds in a tangy lemon dressing. A crunchy, make-ahead side dish that's best chilled overnight.

Butterfly Soup

Quick and easy butterfly soup made with bow-tie pasta, canned tomato soup, and a splash of lemon juice. A kid-friendly lunch ready in 40 minutes flat.

Bow Tie Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes Capers & Basil

A 10-minute no-cook pasta toss with cherry tomatoes, capers, nicoise olives, fresh basil, and garlic in extra-virgin olive oil. Light, bright, and vegetarian.

Curried Chicken & Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Curried chicken and bow tie pasta salad with a homemade curry mayonnaise, tri-color bell peppers, and poached chicken on a bed of fresh spinach. An impressive main-course salad.

Pasta with Chicken & Brocoli

Chicken and broccoli pasta with garlic, white wine, and chicken broth tossed with bow-tie pasta. A quick one-skillet weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Mediterranean Bow Ties with Turkey Sausage

Mediterranean bow tie pasta with Italian turkey sausage in a tomato-cinnamon sauce topped with crumbled feta. A Greek-inspired weeknight pasta with bold spice.

Mediterranean Shrimp & Bow Ties

Mediterranean shrimp and bow tie pasta with olives, garlic, oregano, and lemon. A fast 30-minute Italian-inspired one-skillet weeknight dinner.

Prosciutto, Spinach, & Pasta Casserole

This is the most excellent casserole I have ever eaten, good keeper.

Bow Ties with Eggplant Sauce

Bow tie pasta with a chunky eggplant-tomato sauce simmered with basil, oregano, and cayenne in vegetable broth. A low-fat, oil-free vegan pasta that's full of flavor.

Bow Tie Pasta with Blackened Scallops

Cajun-blackened sea scallops over farfalle tossed in cilantro walnut pesto, drizzled with roasted red pepper sauce. A showstopper seafood pasta with bold layered flavors.

Low Fat Creamy Ham & Pasta

Low fat creamy ham and pasta cooks bow-tie pasta with peas and turkey ham, then folds in a quick reduced-fat cream cheese sauce. Five ingredients, 30-minute weeknight dinner.

Bowtie Pasta with Creamy Cilantro Pesto

Farfalle tossed in a creamy cilantro pesto made with cottage cheese and yogurt, finished with garlic and red pepper flakes. Light, fresh, and easily made vegan.

Leftover Ham & Roasted Tomato Pasta

Some leftover ham or turkey and roasted tomato are mixed with some olives, basil and cooked pasta, tons of flavor.

Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes & Cream

Crumbled Italian sausage simmered with plum tomatoes and heavy cream, tossed with farfalle. A rich, 30-minute Italian pasta that hits the table fast on busy nights.

Kasha Varnishkes

Classic kasha varnishkes with toasted buckwheat groats, bow-tie pasta, and deeply golden sauteed onions. A beloved Jewish comfort dish that pairs perfectly with pot roast and gravy.

Beef & Pasta Primavera (1993 National Beef Cook-Off Recipe)

Stir-fried sirloin strips tossed with bow-tie pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan. This 1993 National Beef Cook-Off recipe is a 30-minute weeknight winner.

Kasha Rustica

Kasha Rustica with toasted buckwheat groats, bow-tie pasta, sauteed onions, and browned mushrooms in vegetable stock. A hearty vegetarian take on classic kasha varnishkes.

All 53 bow-tie pasta (farfalle) recipes