Creamy asparagus pasta is a quick and easy one pan side dish for your next weeknight meal. Bow tie pasta is tossed with lightly steamed asparagus in a creamy, from-scratch parmesan sauce.
In a sauté pan over medium heat, add butter. Once melted, add onions. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until onions begin to brown and turn translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add bow tie pasta, vegetable broth, red pepper flakes, and pepper to pan. Scrape to deglaze pan as needed. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 9 minutes (or consult your pasta package directions and cook to al dente minus 4 minutes).
Meanwhile, gently bend the bottom end of each asparagus spear until it breaks naturally (Usually 1-2 inches in from the bottom). Discard the woody ends, then slice spears into thirds.
Uncover pan, add asparagus, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for an additional 4 minutes (for very thin asparagus, reduce time to 3 minutes. For very thick asparagus, increase time to 5 minutes).
Uncover pan. Most of liquid should be absorbed. Add heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through and allow cheese to melt.
Remove from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes before serving (sauce will continue to thicken as it stands).
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Notes
Vegetable broth can be substituted with chicken broth or beef broth.
If using low sodium broth, you may want to add additional salt or herbs to the dish to make up for lost flavor.
If substituting bow tie pasta with another style of pasta, consult your pasta's cooking directions and adjust pasta cooking times accordingly.
Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.