Known by many names, including Pasta Napoletana, Napolitana, Neapolitan or simply Napoli Pasta, this signature dish from Naples is exactly what your need on your weekly repertoire! Very easy to make and using just a handful of everyday ingredients, this quick pasta recipe features a delicious Neapolitan tomato sauce, full of garlic, onions and basil. And of course, no Italian pasta dish would be complete without a generous grating of Parmesan cheese…
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What Is Pasta Napoletana?
Pasta Napoletana (sometimes spelt Napolitana Pasta or simply known by the name of Pasta al Pomodoro) is one of the simplest (yet extremely delicious) Italian dishes made with canned or fresh tomatoes, sauteed onions and garlic and copious amounts of basil.
This vegetarian pasta dish is made with a tomato-based sauce (Napoli or Neapolitan Sauce) that originates in Naples, Southern Italy, where it is a staple sauce used in everyday cooking. So much so, that people from Napoli actually refer to it as ‘la salsa’ which literally translates as the sauce. A spicy version of the tomato sauce is typically referred to as Arrabbiata. Try our Spaghetti Arrabbiata instead if you like a bit of chilli heat in your food.
Is Napoletana Pasta Vegetarian?
Depends on who you ask… My Italian friend has assured me that the Neapolitan Sauce is by default a vegetarian sauce. As a result, the pasta dish, made with it is strictly meatless. However, more recently a different version of Napoletana Pasta has been popularised by the famous Cheesecake Factory in the United States. Their version includes four types of meat, such as Italian Sausage, bacon, beef and pepperoni.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Very simple ingredients are needed to make a flavorful tomato sauce. All you need is:
- pasta: we enjoy spaghetti Napoletana most, but penne Napoletana is also popular.
- olive oil: use extra virgin if you can.
- brown onion: can be replaced with white onion, red onion or shallots.
- garlic cloves: can be substituted with shop-bought garlic paste (note though, that ready-made garlic paste is typically heavily salted, so you will need to adjust the seasoning accordingly).
- canned tomatoes: also known as chopped tinned tomatoes in the UK. They can be replaced with canned cherry tomatoes.
- basil: fresh and fragrant. Only leaves will be used, the stalks discarded.
- parmesan cheese: to scatter on top. Substitute it with other hard Italian types of cheese, like Padano Grana or Pecorino Romano. To make it vegan, simply substitute Parmesan with a dairy-free alternative or nutritional yeast.
Step-By-Step Method
STEP 1: Make the Neapolitan sauce
Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a large frying pan and set it on low heat. Tip in the finely chopped onions and cook for 5-6 minutes, until softened but not browned.
Add the minced garlic, stir and cook for another minute.
Finally tip in a can of tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper and stir. Increase the heat slightly and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until Napoli tomato sauce reduces by about a third.
STEP 2: Cook Pasta Al Dente
Whilst the Neapolitan sauce is reducing, cook your pasta following the instructions on the packet. Make sure to keep your pasta al dente.
STEP 3: Assemble Napoletana Pasta
Before draining the pasta, check your tomato sauce. If it has reduced too much, just add 2-3 tablespoon of starchy pasta water and stir.
Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Tear the basil leaves and stir them into the sauce just before serving.
Serve your Napoletana Pasta with grated parmesan on top and garnish with fresh basil leaves!
Recipe Variations
Pasta Napolitana is a good pasta dish that can be served as a vegetarian main dish or as a base to add other bits and pieces to. Here are a few ideas on how to make this pasta recipe even more flavoursome.
- Use fresh homemade pasta for an extra special meal.
- Experiment with different types of pasta. Noodle-type pasta like spaghetti or linguine takes on less sauce, so if you like it extra saucy, use pasta with a lot of nooks and crannies to hold the sauce in (think, Farfalle or Conchiglie).
- Add a finely grated carrot or courgette to the sauce to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
- If you feel that you need some protein in this Napoletana pasta, it goes well with chicken, shrimp or Italian sausage very well.
- Substitute Parmesan for other Italian hard cheese, like Pecorino or Padana Grano.
- Scatter some chilli flakes or red pepper flakes on top.
- To make it vegan, simply substitute Parmesan with a non-dairy alternative.
Tips & Tricks For Success
- Chop your onions very finely. You want the pieces small so that it blends in with the Napoli tomato sauce and coats the pasta evenly.
- Reduce the sauce enough to coat the pasta well. But if you take it too far, use starchy pasta water to loosen it.
- Don’t overcook your pasta. For a truly Italian experience, always keep your pasta al dente.
- If your pasta is cooked before your sauce has reduced, drain it (keeping a few spoonfuls of starchy water, just in case) and mix in a tablespoon of olive oil. Keep the pasta covered until your sauce is ready.
Recipe FAQs
The sauce originates from the Napoli region in Italy. However, many wouldn’t know what you are talking about if you mentioned Napoletana Sauce in Italy. The name is primarily used outside of Italy, where it is simply known as ‘la salsa’.
For the sauce to stick to your pasta, it needs to have a starchy coating. If you are rinsing your pasta before cooking, it will remove the starchy coating and your sauce will slip off. Another reason could be adding oil to your pasta before you coat it in the Napoli sauce. We only recommend adding oil, if you cooked your pasta too early and don’t want the noodles to stick to each other.
Made Too Much Napoli Pasta Sauce?
There are many uses for this rich tomato sauce. Keep the Napoli Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can then be used as a sauce for meatballs, bolognese or lasagna sauce.
What is more, you can reduce the Neapolitan sauce further and use it as a pizza sauce.
What To Serve With Pasta Napoletana?
This vegetarian pasta dish is absolutely beautiful served with a healthy green vegetable side. We particularly like it with:
- Lemon and Garlic Tenderstem Broccoli (Broccolini)
- Courgette Ribbon Salad
- Rocket and Pinenut Salad
And you can never go wrong with some garlic bread, right?
Other Quick & Easy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
Looking for more inspiration for simple weeknight pasta dishes? We got you! Try these absolutely delicious recipes next:
- Lemon and Ricotta Pasta
- Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino
- Spaghetti Arrabbiata (coming soon)
- Green Pasta (Spinach & Pea Pasta)
Recipe Card
Pasta Napoletana
Ingredients
- 200 g pasta we used spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small brown onion very finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can chopped tomatoes 400g tin
- 10 g fresh basil leaves only
- 10 g parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a large frying pan and set it on low heat. Add the finely chopped onions and cook for 5-6 minutes, until softened but not browned.
- Add the garlic, stir and cook for another minute.
- Finally tip in a can of tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and stir. Increase the heat slightly and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until Napoli tomato sauce reduces by about a third.
- Whilst the Neapolitan sauce is reducing, cook your pasta following the instructions on the packet. Make sure to keep your pasta al dente.
- Before draining your pasta, check your tomato sauce. If it has reduced too much, just add 2-3 tablespoon of starchy pasta water and stir.
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Tear the basil leaves and stir them into the sauce just before serving.
- Serve your Napoletana Pasta with grated parmesan on top and garnish with basil leaves!
Nutrition
Beth
Such a simple Italian pasta dish but one of the very best. So tasty!
Liz
This was such a yummy way to change up our regular pasta night routine! So yummy!
Ieva
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Tavo
Easy pasta with just the right ingredient for a hassle-free dinner. We enjoyed it very much yesterday!
Ieva
Thanks, Tavo! Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones, right?
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Simple and perfect. I love how easy this is and so good on busy evenings. The wilted basil adds so much flavour too.
Stephanie
My best friend’s last name is Napoli, and I spent a LOT of time at her house eating authentic Italian food growing up. Her mom made “quick gravy” as she called it, very similar to this, with lots and lots of fresh basil. So good!
Kushigalu
What an interesting pasta recipe to try. Thanks for sharing