Uncle Bill's Bow Tie Pasta With Asparagus and Alfredo Sauce

A tasty mixture of pasta, fresh asparagus and a cream cheese alfredo sauce. Finally put together a very tasty recipe.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

• 16  cups water
• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1  tablespoon salt
• 12  ounces  tomato spinach bow tie pasta
• 8  ounces fresh asparagus
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped onion
• 1⁄4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 3  large garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into pieces
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1⁄16 teaspoon  freshly ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Directions

1. In a large cooking pot or pasta pot, add 16 cups of water or until 3/4 full in pot.
2. Add olive oil and salt and bring to boil.
3. Add bow tie pasta and cook uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes or until el-dente.
4. In the meantime, break off tough ends of asparagus and discard.
5. Place asparagus in a small 5" x 8" microwave safe casserole dish.
6. Add 2 tablespoons of water to dish.
7. Place dish in microwave and cover with a plastic round cover.
8. Microwave on HIGH (full power) for 4 minutes.
9. Immediately remove from microwave, drain and immerse in cold water to cool.
10. When cooled, drain and cut asparagus into 1/2" pieces; set aside.
11. In a small frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter, garlic, onions and red hot pepper flakes and saute on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring often.
12. In a medium-size saucepan on medium-high heat, add 1/2 cup of butter, cream cheese, whipping cream and lemon juice.
13. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook until cheese is melted, stirring constantly.
14. Add garlic/onion mixture to cream cheese mixture and whisk well to blend.
15. Add nutmeg, pepper, salt and parmesan cheese and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken; stirring often.
16. When bow tie pasta is cooked, drain well and add cream mixture to the pasta; stir well to coat pasta.
17. Add additional grated parmesan cheese if desired.
18. Serve immediately with garlic bread, cooked chicken or prawns.
19. You may also use linguini, spaghetti, rotini and any other penne pastas.