Everything You Need To Know About Gluten Free Bow Tie Pasta

The word pasta might make you cringe, as someone who avoids gluten. There is an incredible variety of shapes and flavors of pasta available today — making it difficult to know which ones are safe — and this can make people stick to just one or two that are known to be gluten free. 

But don’t limit yourself. Expanding your range of gluten free pastas can open some wonderful culinary doors. If you haven’t tried bow tie pasta, now’s your chance.

You may be asking, why the different shapes — do shapes really affect the flavor or is it purely aesthetic? Besides the attractive looks of so many pastas, the shape has a lot to do with how the sauces and other flavors are absorbed. One of the favorites for kids and adults alike is bow tie pasta. In this article, we’ll cover what distinguishes bow tie pasta from other varieties as well as all related questions about gluten free pasta. 

What Is The Pasta That Looks Like Bow Ties Called?

One of the most popular varieties of pasta around the world has a recognizable shape that somehow adds to the deliciousness. Bow tie pasta resembles that distinctive type of necktie. It is a mostly rectangular shape of pasta that is pinched and creased in the middle. The shorter sides of the pasta are cut with jagged frills that look like shark’s teeth.

In the United States and other parts of the English speaking world, the most common name for this type of pasta is bow tie pasta. However, you may see the term butterfly pasta also in use by various brands. The pasta type has its roots in the Lombardy region of Italy, where it is known locally as Farfalle (Italian for “butterflies”). It is also a popular pasta variety in the nearby Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, where it is known as Strichetti (Italian for “bowties”). As you can see, the names have followed suit into the English language. 

Is Bow Tie Pasta Italian?

Like the majority of pasta varieties around the world, bow tie pasta shape was first created in Italy. As such, Italian pasta makers have come up with a multitude of food pairings that make every experience with bow tie pasta as delicious as possible. 

In the world of modern agriculture, many types of pasta are produced all around the world. Though the bowtie variety has yet to make a specific mark on most world cuisines, it has a surprising versatility that can help you include this festive-looking pasta with practically any of your favorite foods.

What Is Mini Bow Tie Pasta Called?

Most of the time in the English speaking world, you will see “Mini Bow Tie Pasta” or some similar variation on the package. In the Italian language, the smaller version of bow tie pasta is called farfellini, or “little butterflies.” The smaller version of this pasta is great for kids who enjoy the fun shapes and the ease with which the bowties hold sauce.

What Is Bow Tie Pasta Made Of?

Bow tie pasta is just like all other classic forms of pasta in that it has very few basic ingredients: durum wheat flour, water, salt, and sometimes eggs. Traditional bow tie pasta contains all of these ingredients, though the primary ingredient is durum wheat flour. Durum wheat is a specific breed of wheat that humans have cultivated for thousands of years. Like all other types of the wheat plant, durum wheat contains the gluten protein and no foods with durum wheat flour can be considered gluten free.

What Goes With Bow Tie Pasta?

The secret to a great pasta dish is working with a pasta that has lots of surface area. This allows for plenty of exposure to the various flavors accompanying the pasta. Bow tie pasta is an excellent example of this feature because it goes even further by creating some detailed depressions that easily hold spices, oils, and sauces. As these ingredients stick to the little bow ties, you’ll be picking up a symphony of wonderful flavor with each bite. 

Bow tie pasta goes best as a vessel for either tomato sauces or cream sauces. The high proportion of surface area and the folded ridges hold lots of sauce as the fork travels up to your mouth. The flat and small shape also enables easy eating with a fork. Anything that goes well with tomato sauce or cream sauce will go very well with bow tie pasta, and bow tie pasta is a lot easier to eat than spaghetti!

Is Bow Tie Pasta Gluten Free?

Almost all types of pasta can be made gluten free. Gluten is a natural protein that is only found in wheat, barley, and rye. Other grains such as buckwheat, brown rice, amaranth, and millet do not have gluten. These grains can be used to make a delicious pasta that is safe for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. 

You can also find pasta made from lentils or quinoa. Lentils are legumes, and naturally gluten free. Quinoa is also a gluten free seed.

Keep in mind that even ingredients that are naturally gluten free may be contaminated with gluten. Wheat flour can easily become airborne and wheat particles may land in gluten free products. Unless a gluten free product is processed and packaged in a dedicated gluten free facility, there can be no real guarantee that it is safe from gluten contamination. Make sure to pay close attention to labels and warnings on every package before you buy.

What Are The Best Gluten Free Bow Tie Pasta Brands?

When you’re looking for this particular variety of pasta, only a few of them will be made from gluten free ingredients. Even fewer can be certified gluten free because so many brands will produce and package their gluten free pastas in the same facility with their other glutenous grain based products. Here are some of the gluten free bow tie pastas that we recommend for their deliciousness, nutritiousness, and safety from gluten.

• Jovial Farfalle Gluten Free Pasta: Perhaps one of the most attentive dry food producers you’ve ever come across, Jovial Foods is committed to creating safe foods for those with all the major allergies. The gluten free Farfalle from Jovial is composed of one hundred percent gluten free ingredients. The main component of this bow tie pasta is brown rice flour, which has a high nutritional content and a delicious flavor. The only other ingredient is water. This product, as well as some others in the Jovial Foods wheelhouse, is made entirely by hand in Italy by expert pasta makers. With such a simple and wonderfully-shaped pasta, you can create all sorts of incredible meals.

• Le Veneziane Farfalle Gluten Free Pasta: A product that’s only produced in Italy using high-quality gluten free ingredients and an expert touch, the gluten free Farfalle from Le Veneziane is a surefire hit. In fact, the entire Le Veneziane line of pastas is entirely gluten free, giving you peace of mind as you cook a delicious meal. The main component of this bow tie pasta is corn flour, which has a delicious and slightly sweet flavor that works well with a huge amount of vegetables, meats, cheeses, and sauces. Le Veneziane has made a wonderful mark on the entire gluten free community with their delicious pasta products.