Easy Bow Tie Pasta with Italian Sausage

This easy bow tie pasta with sausage is one of those cozy, comforting dinners you can throw together on a busy weeknight — but it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant.

Made with tender farfalle pasta, savory Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes, and a creamy Parmesan sauce, this pasta recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and uses simple pantry ingredients. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and perfect for when you want a no-fuss dinner that still feels special.

If you love easy pasta dinners, this sausage pasta is guaranteed to become a regular in your rotation.

Don’t get me wrong — I’ll never say no to a big bowl of Sunday gravy, but some nights call for a shortcut. This Easy Bow Tie Pasta recipe brings all that comforting, homemade flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. The sausage adds the richness you’d expect from a slow-simmered sauce, while the bow tie pasta makes it fun and hearty.

This meal takes minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor — just the way I like it.

Why You’ll Love This Bow Tie Pasta with Sausage

• Ready in 30 minutes
• One-pan sauce
• Creamy but not heavy
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Family-approved comfort food

Can I Use Canned Tomatoes Instead of Fresh?

Yes! Canned tomatoes are a great alternative, especially when fresh tomatoes aren’t in season or you want a saucier pasta.

• Use about 1 to 1½ cups of canned crushed tomatoes for a saucier sauce.

• Adding a pinch of sugar can balance any acidity in the canned tomatoes.

Can I Use Other Pasta Shapes?

Absolutely! Bow tie pasta (farfalle) works beautifully because its shape holds onto sauce well, but you can easily swap in other shapes like:   Penne, Orecchiette, Rotini, Rigatoni, or Fusilli.

Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the shape and size, so check your pasta package for timing. The goal is to cook it al dente so it has a nice bite and doesn’t get mushy in the sauce.

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Ingredients You’ll Need:

This easy sausage pasta uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

• Olive oil – just enough to sauté the sausage and veggies
• Italian sausage – sweet or spicy, your choice
• Yellow onion – adds flavor depth
• Garlic – always
• Fresh Roma tomatoes – use 6-7 ripe ones for a nice saucy base
• Bow tie (farfalle) pasta – holds sauce beautifully
• Red pepper flakes – optional, for a little kick
• Oregano – adds a earthy flavor
• Salt and black pepper – will enhance the flavor
• Parmesan cheese – stirred in at the end and sprinkled on top
• Heavy cream – add for a rich and velvety sauce
• Fresh basil or parsley – for that bright finish!

Make It Your Way:

• Swap the sausage for turkey or chicken sausage

• Stir in a spoonful of ricotta or cream for richness

Step by Step Instructions:

• Cook bow tie pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
• Add olive oil to a sauce pan. Brown the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon.
• Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add diced Roma tomatoes, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes start to break down, about 8 minutes.
• Add heavy cream. Simmer 5 minutes.

• Add the spinach and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until spinach wilts. Add the cooked pasta.

• Top with fresh basil or parsley and more Parmesan. Serve warm.

Storage Tips for Bow Tie Pasta

• Refrigerate promptly: Let the pasta cool to room temperature (no more than 2 hours), then store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for 3 to 4 days.

• Reheat gently: To avoid drying out, reheat pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it covered with a damp paper towel.

This recipe comes together quickly by cooking the pasta while the sausage sauce simmers. Everything gets tossed together at the end for a creamy, restaurant-style finish.

Easy Bow Tie Pasta with Italian Sausage

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• Author: Lori
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stove-Top
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz bow tie pasta (farfalle)

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed

• 6 – 7 Roma tomatoes, chopped

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup reserved pasta water (from cooking the pasta)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

• 4 cups fresh baby spinach

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

   • Cook bow tie pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Cook the sausage

   • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

   • Add sausage and break it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.

3. Build the sauce

   • Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.

   • Stir in garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes, cooking 1 minute until fragrant.

   • Add the chopped Roma tomatoes and cook about 8 minutes until they break down and release their juices.

   • Pour in about 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes.

   • Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Let simmer gently 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

4. Add pasta & spinach

   • Toss in the spinach, cooked pasta, and Parmesan cheese.

   • Stir until spinach wilts and sauce coats the pasta. Add more pasta water if needed for a silky sauce.

5. Finish & serve

   • Taste and season with salt and black pepper.

   • Serve hot with extra Parmesan Cheese