Creamy Bowtie Pasta with Asparagus, Bacon, and Pinenuts

I've been trying some new pasta dishes lately and this creamy pasta is SO yummy! It is from the blog Favorite Family Recipes. The sauce is very much like an alfredo sauce, but then the asparagus, bacon and pine nuts make it unbelievably delicious! My 7 year old said this was his favorite pasta ever and he loved the asparagus in it. That goes to show that when you cover things in a buttery, creamy, cheesy sauce magic happens.:)


Creamy Asparagus Bowtie Pasta

16 oz bowtie pasta
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 pint heavy cream
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
3/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan
1 tablespoon chopped parsley, or 2 teaspoons freeze dried parsley
15 spears of asparagus, cut into 1-2 inch pieces (you can double this if you love asparagus)
1/2 cup cooked, chopped bacon
1/2 cup toasted pinenuts
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, for topping

Boil some water in a saucepan, add asparagus pieces and boil for about 2-3 minutes, until asparagus is cooked. Drain and place asparagus in a bowl and set aside.

Boil pasta according to package directions, until cooked.

In a large deep skillet melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for a few seconds. Whisk in cream and bouillon and cook stirring until mixture begins to boil. Turn down heat and add Parmesan cheese. Add cooked pasta, parsley, asparagus, bacon, and pine nuts. Toss until pasta is well coated with sauce. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top of individual servings.