Neapolitan Pasta Recipe

This Neapolitan Pasta Recipe is the definition of cozy, crowd‑pleasing comfort food that still fits into a busy weeknight. Tender penne gets coated in marinara and a quick stovetop béchamel, creating that signature creamy, velvety “pink sauce” effect without any fuss. A blanket of bubbly mozzarella on top makes it feel extra special, yet the whole dish comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s budget‑friendly, kid‑approved, and endlessly reliable — the kind of pasta bake you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Neapolitan Pasta

Easy to make, feeds a crowd, budget friendly, and kid approved means this pasta is reliable but never boring!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 16 oz penne pasta
• 24 oz jar of your favorite marinara sauce
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 pinch of nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz Mozzarella shredded
• 1 lb ground beef, optional**

Method

 

1. Grease a 13×9 pan and set aside.
2. If using ground beef, brown in a skillet, breaking apart as it cooks. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Sit aside.
3. Boil pasta per package instructions.
4. While pasta boils, make a simple bechamel sauce by melting 2 tbsp butter in a skillet. Once melted, add in flour and stir to form a paste-like mixture. Working quickly, whisk in about half the milk, whisking to get rid of clumps. As it starts to thicken, whisk in remaining milk. Keep at a low simmer, and stir in nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Allow to simmer and thicken enough to coat a spoon.
5. When pasta is cooked, drain and return to the pot. Stir in marinara. If using ground beef, add that in as well. Combine well, then pour into 13×9 pan.
6. Pour the bechamel over this and then top with Mozzarella. Place under oven broiler until cheese is melty and bubbly.

Notes

Serve with a salad.