Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (2024)

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Fried Bowtie Pasta – cooked pasta seasoned with cajun spices and fried. A crisp and tasty Louisiana snack served with a marinara dipping sauce.

Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (1)

This unique appetizer/snack is fun to make and comes together quickly. It’ll definitely be a conversation starter at your next gathering.

Ingredient Notes

See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  • Pasta: I used bowtie pasta (farfalle). Just about any pasta will do here, so use your favorite.
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour.
  • Egg: Use 1 egg.
  • Heavy Cream: Use 1/4 cup.
  • Water: Use 1/4 cup.
  • Bread Crumbs: Seasoned bread crumbs to coat the pasta.
  • Cajun Seasoning: Use more or less depending on your taste preference.
  • Canola Oil: For frying.
  • Marinara Sauce: Optional dipping sauce.
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How to Make This Recipe

  1. Cook bowtie pasta according to the package directions. Drain the water and rinse with cold water. Drain again, then put the pasta in a big bowl.
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2. Mix in 1/2 cup flour.

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3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup water. Pour over the pasta and mix in.

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4. Mix together 1 1/2 cups of bread crumbs, (I like to use Progresso Italian because I love the spices and the flavor) and 1 – 2 tablespoons of a cajun seasoning mix (like Tony Chacherie’s) and stir it into the pasta.

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5. Fill a pot to its halfway point with canola oil and heat to about 350°. When the oil is ready, add the pasta, a little at a time and fry in batches.

6. Cook, stirring gently for 5-7 minutes or until pasta is golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside.

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7. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pasta from the oil and drain on a paper towel lined plate.

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Expert Tips

  • Don’t overcrowd the saucepan when frying the pasta. Add the pasta a little at a time, in batches.
  • Try to maintain a constant temperature of 350 degrees. You will need a thermometer to make sure the oil is always at the correct temperature. Make sure that the tip of the thermometer is not touching the bottom of the pan.
  • Allow the fried bowtie pasta to drain on a paper towel before eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Pasta Shape To Use When Making Fried Pasta?

I prefer using bowtie (farfalle) pasta, but feel free to use any short pasta that could scoop the dipping sauce. Shells or rigatoni would work too.

Do I Have To Use A Thermometer For My Oil?

I recommend using a thermometer, it’s the best way to know the exact temperature of your oil. If you don’t keep the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees, you are likely to end up with bowtie pasta that’s greasy on the outside and undercooked on the inside.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients left over from this fried bowtie pasta recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

Enjoy!

Recipe

Fried Bowtie Pasta

By: Joanie Zisk

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

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Fried Bowtie Pasta – cooked pasta seasoned with cajun spices and fried. A crisp and tasty Louisiana snack served with a marinara dipping sauce.

Ingredients

  • 16 oz bowtie pasta
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning (use more or less depending on your taste preference)
  • Canola oil (for frying)
  • Marinara sauce

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse, drain and pour into large bowl.

  • Stir the flour into the pasta.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cream and water. Pour over the pasta and stir.

  • In another small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and cajun seasoning. Stir into the pasta.

  • Fill a pot about 3" deep with the oil and heat to 350 degrees.

  • When hot, add the pasta, a spoonful at a time to the oil and cook, in batches 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove pasta with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.

  • Serve with marinara sauce.

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Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (2024)

FAQs

How long to boil bow tie pasta for? ›

For authentic "al dente" pasta, boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for 11 minutes. For more tender pasta, boil an additional 1 minute. Remove from heat. Drain well.

What is bowtie pasta made of? ›

Flour and water are all you need to make traditional farfalle (or bow ties) at home. Make sure to use a durum wheat semolina, a very refined flour (usually imported directly from Italy) or your pasta won't stay firm and "al dente" during the cooking process.

Why use bowtie pasta? ›

Farfalle is also called 'bow tie pasta' because of its shape. This versatile pasta works great with light base (olive oil, butter) as well as rich sauces (cream, tomato, pesto), and can taste great in salads. It can be used as dressing for your bowl of stir-fried veggies/meat.

Does bowtie pasta have egg? ›

“Butterflies” in Italian; medium-sized pasta with a crimped center and pinked edges to form the shape of a bow tie. Bow Ties made in the Italian style are egg-free, while some versions contain egg. Farfalle is great in entrées, side dishes, cold salads or baked dishes.

How many cups is 1 pound of bow tie pasta? ›

Depending on the pasta's shape, usually 4 cups of dry pasta is equal to 1 pound of pasta.

What is the fancy name for bowtie pasta? ›

The word farfalle means butterflies in Italian and is commonly referred to as bow tie pasta because of its shape.

What is bowtie pasta called in Italy? ›

Farfalle (Italian: [farˈfalle]) are a type of pasta. The name is derived from the Italian word farfalle (butterflies). In the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, farfalle are known as strichetti (a local word for 'bow ties').

What is a good substitute for bow tie pasta? ›

Short, bite-sized pastas such as shells, orecchiette, mini penne, or mezzi ("half") rigatoni all make excellent substitutes for farfalle or bow tie pasta. How do you cook farfalle pasta?

How long does bowtie pasta last in the fridge? ›

Allow cooked pasta to cool slightly. It can then be stored in airtight containers (from $5, The Container Store) in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Who invented bow tie pasta? ›

While not wanting to take anything away from Croatian culture, we think it's important to recognize that Farfalle, the pasta shape that looks like a bow tie, was invented in Northern Italy about a hundred years before anyone thought to tie a scarf into a bow around his neck.

What is the real name for a bow tie? ›

The bow tie or dicky bow /boʊ/ is a type of necktie. A modern bow tie is tied using a common shoelace knot, which is also called the bow knot for that reason.

How long should you cook bow tie pasta? ›

Add 12 ounces dried bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 11 minutes.

Why does bow tie pasta take so long to cook? ›

Farfalle (Bowties): 10-12 Minutes

Farfalle pasta takes longer to cook because of the way the pasta is pinched together. This pasta has a large surface area and is thick enough to hold rich tomato or cream sauces.

Is farfalle the same as bowtie pasta? ›

Farfalle (pronounced "far-FALL-ay") is a type of pasta that is also known as bow tie pasta or butterfly pasta for its signature shape. The word "farfalle" actually means "butterflies" in Italian. The pasta dates back to the 1500s, originating in Northern Italy in the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia regions.

How long do you boil pasta ribbons? ›

How long does pasta take to cook?
  1. Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins, as mentioned above.
  2. Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12mins.
  3. Fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will be done between 3-5mins.

How long should you boil pasta for? ›

Cooking times may vary with the size and the thickness of the pasta. Very small pasta (like macaroni, fusilli, conchiglie, penne) may cook in 5 to 7 minutes. Larger shapes (like spaghetti, fettuccine, dried lasagne sheets) may require 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately drain the cooked pasta into a sieve or a colander.

How long do you boil elbow pasta for? ›

Boil 4 quarts of water for each pound of dry macaroni; if desired, add 1-teaspoon salt. Add macaroni and return to a boil. Cook uncovered approximately 9-11 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally, avoid overcooking.

Why does bow pasta take so long to cook? ›

Thicker shapes simply take longer to cook than do thinner shapes as more water must be absorbed. The age of the pasta can affect cooking times, too. Dried pasta must first absorb water before it starts to cook.

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