Which pasta shape resembles a bow tie?

The pasta shape that resembles a bow tie is farfalle, commonly known as farfali. The name "farfalle" translates to "butterflies" in Italian, which is fitting as the shape features pinched sides that give it a distinctive bow or butterfly appearance. This unique design not only adds an attractive visual element to dishes but also allows it to hold onto sauces well, making it a versatile choice in pasta recipes.

In contrast, fusilli is a spiral-shaped pasta, orecchiette resembles small ears, and gemelli consists of two twisted strands that look like twins. Each of these shapes has its own culinary applications but does not share the signature bow tie resemblance that farfalle does.