The first time I tasted Bowtie Festival at Johnny Carino’s, I knew I had to recreate this comforting dish at home. This beloved pasta creation combines the savory crunch of bacon with tender grilled chicken and al dente bowtie pasta, all wrapped in a luxurious creamy tomato sauce. Originating from Johnny Carino’s Italian restaurants, this dish has become a customer favorite for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. Now, you can bring this restaurant-quality meal to your kitchen in just 40 minutes!
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to this dish’s incredible flavor lies in its layered cooking approach. By sautéing aromatic garlic and onions in butter before adding the remaining ingredients, you create a flavorful base. The reduction of heavy cream and Asiago cheese creates a naturally thick sauce that clings perfectly to each piece of pasta. The combination of fresh tomatoes and creamy Alfredo provides a balanced tanginess that cuts through the richness.
What is Bowtie Festival?
One of Johnny Carino’s most popular dishes is the Bowtie Festival. You might wonder why it is called that. It’s filled with pasta, grilled chicken, bacon, and a creamy tomato sauce – a festival for the mouth!
What’s not to love about crisp bacon and grilled chicken? Best of all you can recreate this dish at home in no time at all.
Even if you aren’t an experienced cook, you can make this recipe. You can make it even more flavorful by using a homemade creamy Alfredo sauce. There are several good jars of Alfredo sauce available if you don’t want to make it from scratch.
Ingredients
This pasta dish is made with common ingredients you may already have in your pantry. You don’t need to go to the store to find exotic ingredients. Here’s what you need:
- Bowtie pasta (farfalle) – Forms the hearty base of this dish
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Provides lean protein and substance
- Bacon – Adds smoky flavor and delightful crunch
- Roma tomatoes – Contributes fresh acidity and bright color
- Red onion – Creates aromatic foundation and slight sweetness
- Fresh Garlic – Infuses the dish with essential Italian flavor
- Butter РForms the base for saut̩ing and adds richness
- Heavy whipping cream – Creates a luxurious texture in the sauce
- Alfredo sauce – Provides creamy consistency and depth of flavor
- Asiago cheese – Adds nutty, complex flavor and helps thicken the sauce
- Garlic salt – Enhances savory notes throughout the dish
- Salt and pepper – Balances and brightens all flavors
How to Make Johnny Carino’s Bowtie Festival
- Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set it aside.
- Cook the chicken if needed. You can boil, bake, or grill it. Cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- In a heated saute pan, combine butter, garlic, onions, bacon, tomatoes, chicken, and spice mixture.
- When onions begin to turn translucent, add heavy cream and Asiago cheese.
- Once cheese and cream have been reduced by half, add Alfredo sauce and cooked pasta.
- Stir until well combined and remove from heat.
- Allow pasta to cool for a few minutes so the cheese and sauce can thicken.
- When you serve, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese
What to Serve with this Bowtie Pasta Dish
To balance out the richness of the Bowtie Festival, serve sides with lighter or contrasting flavors. By offering a fresh salad, crunchy bread, or a tangy vegetable side, you can create a well-rounded meal that satisfies all tastes. Here are some ideas:
- Breadsticks, ciabatta, focaccia, or garlic bread.
- Minestrone or tomato basil soup.
- Mixed green salad with Italian dressing or Caesar salad.
- Vegetables such as roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or crispy brussels sprouts.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Storing: Allow the pasta to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.
Reheating: You can reheat the pasta in the microwave, covering it loosely and stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop by transferring the pasta and sauce to a saucepan and warming over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Make this Johnny Carino Chicken Bowtie Festival Pasta recipe tonight!
Johnny Carino’s Bowtie Festival
Ingredients
- 1 ounce melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic chopped
- 1/8 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced cooked bacon
- 1/4 cup diced Roma tomatoes
- 1 cup sliced, cooked chicken
- 1 ounce heavy (whipping) cream
- 1 jar Ragu Alfredo sauce (I got the Cheesy kind)
- 1/8 cup Asiago cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 10 ounces pre-cooked Bowtie pasta
Instructions
- In a heated sauté pan, combine butter, garlic, onions, bacon, tomatoes, chicken, and spice mixture.
- When onions begin to turn translucent, add heavy cream and Asiago cheese.
- Once cheese and cream have reduced by half, add Alfredo sauce and bowtie pasta. Toss until well combined and remove from the heat.
- Allow the pasta to cool for a few minutes so the cheese and sauce can thicken.
Notes
Nutrition
Love pasta? Try these recipes!
- One Pot Cheesy Italian Pasta
- Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
- Gnocchi Casserole
- Cajun Style Pasta
- Italian Sausage Pasta
- Spaghettios and Meatballs
- DIY Hamburger Helper Lasagna
- Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Pasta Rustica Recipe
- Pasta Romana
More Johnny Carino Copycat Recipes
Be sure to check out more of the best pasta recipes and my famous casual dining restaurant copycat recipes.
Haven’t eaten at a Johnny Carina’s in prob 10 years. This recipe is very close to the one I always used to get!
I have made this twice now in 2 months. I made it last night for a pasta night with my family. We each make a pasta dish to share and this one was a huge hit! My son who is 24 told me I have to teach him. Johnny Carino’s was one of my favorite chain restaurants, and it sadly closed many years back. Honestly, if you eat it as soon as it’s done and hot you cannot tell the difference. Also, I winged the asigo cheese measurement because I bought a chunk and had no way to really measure it. I just tasted it to be sure it was enough. I’m so happy I now have this recipe.
You realy nailed this clone recipe. It is a real crowd-pleaser with my family.
I have made this a couple times and it’s HEAVEN! Was always my hubby’s favorite at JC’s. Hate that ours closed several years ago but got to go this year when we went to Gatlinburg! I just decided this is what I’m making for Christmas!!!!
What is the recipe for the homemade sauce.
The link to it is in the content above the recipe! 🙂
Really good just didn’t use the bacon and made the Olive Garden alfredo sauce. I also baked it for a few with mozzarella on top. Definitely a hit
My teenage daughter & her boyfriend decided to make this one night using your recipe (vs my made from scratch) recipe and I have to give it a thumbs up! They used Bertolli’s Alfredo sauce instead of Ragu but otherwise it was the same.