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

Home Recipe Index Appetizer Fried Bowtie Pasta

By Joanie Zisk

on Jan 29, 2015, Updated Aug 06, 2022

5 from 4 votes

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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 (2)

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

Table of Contents

  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make This Recipe
  • Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
  • Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe

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.
Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (3)

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.
Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (4)

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!

Fried Bowtie Pasta

By: Joanie Zisk

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (10)

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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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Appetizer

Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (12)

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Joanie and welcome to ZagLeft where we share favorite recipes as well as exciting travel experiences that we’ve enjoyed while always trying to take the road less traveled.

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  1. Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (17)
    This. THIS is the recipe I’ve been looking for. I grew up in New Orleans, going to Copeland’s, but have lived in California for the last 18 years, where tragically, there is no Copeland’s. The Spinach and Artichoke Dip with these is my favorite thing on the menu. Thank you for this!

  2. Hey! Will they still be good if I make them the day before a party?

    1. They’re best when eaten the day you make them. Hope you enjoy them!

  3. Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (18)
    I actually had fried pasta at a restaurant called The Chimes in Baton Rouge on Thursday and it was so good. They served spinach and artichoke dip with it. The Chimes is a very well known and good restaurant. You definitely need to go there if you are ever in Baton Rouge.

    1. We pass through Baton Rouge on our way home, next time I’ll plan to visit The Chimes. Thank you for suggesting it. I’ve seen Fried Pasta served with Spinach and Artichoke dip and it’s very good.

      1. Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (19)
        Yes, you should definitely go. It’s on Coursey Blvd if you aren’t sure where it is.

  4. Fried Bowtie Pasta Recipe - Cajun Seasoning - ZagLeft (20)
    I made this for my husband and a guy friend last weekend and they LOVED it, as did I. They were so easy to prepare and so tasty. We all live in New Orleans, and we’ve had the ones from Copeland’s before. We all agree that these were better! 🙂

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed the Fried Pasta! Thank you so much for letting me know. It’s such a great little snack and so addictive too.

  5. I know your readers appreciate and benefit from your perfectionism! I have never had fried pasta, but it looks really tasty. Perfect party snack!

    1. Thank you so much, Andi.

  6. I’ve never heard of this, but I WANT IT!

  7. I’m totally in to this recipe, will def be making it soon!

  8. Oh my gosh, I’ve never thought to make fried pasta! This looks like such an amazing snack!

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

FAQs

How long do you boil bowtie 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 type of pasta is typically called bowtie pasta? ›

What is bow tie pasta called? You may also find bow tie pasta packaged and labelled as "farfalle." This is the Italian word for "butterfly," which inspired the shape of the pasta.

Why use bowtie pasta? ›

This bow tie pasta shape takes nicely to a creamy mushroom sauce, fresh tomato sauce, or sauces featuring cheeses such as alfredo sauce. Farfalle's size makes it easy to eat hot or cold topped with roughly chopped ingredients like broccoli, sliced sausage, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and more.

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

So a 1-pound box of dry pasta cooks up to about 8 cups.

What do Italians use farfalle for? ›

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.

What pasta is thinner than spaghetti? ›

Spaghetti means "little twine," and variations include spaghettini (thinner), spaghettoni (thicker), bucatini (thicker and straw-like, with a hollow center), capellini (very thin) and angel's hair (thinnest). Spaghetti is traditionally served with simple, thin sauces such as olive oil or marinara (tomato sauce).

What is a spaghetti with a hole in the middle? ›

Bucatini (Italian: [bukaˈtiːni]), also known as perciatelli ( Italian: [pertʃaˈtɛlli]), is a thick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the center.

What is a fun fact about bowtie pasta? ›

The original name for this well-known noodle is “farfalle,” the Italian word for “butterflies.” The bowtie noodle originated in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna areas of Northern Italy — and even though it can be a versatile noodle, it is best with lighter and creamy sauces.

Can you cook bowtie pasta ahead of time? ›

Luckily for you, there's a way to avoid the stress of making sure your pasta is cooked just right, exactly when you want it. With a bit of oil, a Ziploc bag, some water, and your favorite pasta, you can cook noodles a day in advance and forget about them until a few minutes before serving.

How long should you boil pasta for? ›

Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins. Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12mins and fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will be done between 3-5mins.

How to cook bowtie pasta al dente? ›

The only way to know if your pasta is truly al dente is to taste it. As a general rule, 1 to 2 minutes less that the cooking package directs is usually the sweet spot for perfectly al dente pasta. Set a timer, but also don't forget to taste the pasta. It's always better to slightly under cook pasta than over cook it.

How long does it take to boil pasta from scratch? ›

Cooking, Drying, or Freezing the Pasta: To cook the pasta immediately, bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt the water, and cook the pasta until al dente, 4-5 minutes. To dry, lay the pasta over a clothes drying rack, coat hangers, or the back of a chair, and let air dry until completely brittle.

Do you continuously boil pasta? ›

After the salt has dissolved and the water is really boiling, add pasta to the water and stir frequently the first two minutes, then occasionally until the end of the cooking process. Follow the cooking time outlined on the box. Before draining the pasta, taste it to see if it is cooked to your liking.

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