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Neapolitan Pasta

Easy to make, feeds a crowd, budget friendly, and kid approved means this pasta is reliable but never boring!
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Total Time 30 minutes
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 13x9 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.
    5. 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 13x9 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.