Best Italian Dishes in Barnegat: What to Order at Naples Pizza
Sometimes pizza is exactly what you’re craving. Other nights, nothing sounds better than a plate of pasta, a comforting baked Italian dish or a classic chicken entrée.
At Naples Pizza & Restaurant in Barnegat, NJ, there’s plenty to explore beyond the pizza menu. From Penne Vodka and Baked Ziti to Chicken Parmigiana and Eggplant Parmigiana, our Italian dishes give you several delicious ways to answer the age-old question: What’s for dinner?
Whether you’re planning to dine in or order ahead for pickup, this guide will help you compare some of our Italian favorites and choose a meal that fits your appetite.
Classic Pasta Dishes at Naples Pizza
Chicken Parmigiana is a classic Italian chicken entrée for anyone craving tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Pasta is one of the easiest places to start when you’re exploring Italian comfort food. But not every pasta dish delivers the same experience. Some emphasize tomato sauce, others offer a creamy finish, and baked dishes bring cheese into the mix.
Here are several options worth considering.
Penne Vodka: A Creamy Pasta Favorite
If you enjoy a rich, creamy pasta sauce, Penne Vodka deserves a closer look.
This dish is a good choice when you’re in the mood for something different from a traditional marinara-based pasta. Its creamy sauce gives it a distinctive character, making it appealing to diners who want a comforting pasta dinner.
Consider Penne Vodka when you want a sauce-forward dish without choosing a baked pasta entrée.
Baked Ziti: Classic Italian Comfort Food
Baked Ziti is for those evenings when pasta and melted cheese sound like the perfect combination.
Unlike a simple bowl of pasta with sauce, baked ziti brings the ingredients together in a baked dish. The result is a different experience from Penne Vodka, with cheese playing a more prominent role.
If you’re deciding between the two, think about what you’re craving: creamy pasta sauce or a traditional baked pasta dish.
Spaghetti and Meatballs: A Familiar Favorite
Sometimes the simplest choice is exactly the right one.
Spaghetti and Meatballs combines pasta with tomato sauce and meatballs for a familiar Italian-American dinner. It’s a straightforward option for anyone who prefers a traditional pasta dish over a creamy sauce or a baked entrée.
For someone trying Naples’ Italian menu for the first time, it’s an easy dish to recognize and compare with the other pasta selections.
Pasta With Marinara or Alfredo Sauce
Not every pasta craving calls for a dish with several components.
Pasta with marinara is worth considering when you prefer a tomato-based sauce. Alfredo offers a creamier alternative.
These choices are particularly useful when the sauce is what matters most to you. If you’re deciding between tomato-based and creamy pasta dishes, start with your preferred flavor and work from there.
Italian Entrées Beyond Pasta
Craving something beyond red sauce? Enjoy Chicken Francese at Naples Pizza, a delicious Italian favorite with bright, lemony flavor.
Looking for something different from a pasta-centered dinner? Naples also offers traditional Italian entrées, including chicken and eggplant dishes.
Chicken Parmigiana: Crispy, Saucy and Cheesy
Chicken Parmigiana brings together breaded chicken, tomato sauce and melted cheese.
It’s a natural choice when you want an Italian dinner built around chicken rather than pasta alone. The combination of breading, sauce and cheese gives it a different texture and flavor from lighter chicken preparations.
If you enjoy tomato-based Italian dishes and melted cheese, Chicken Parmigiana is a good place to start.
Chicken Francese: A Lighter Flavor Profile
If you prefer a lemon-forward sauce rather than tomato sauce, consider Chicken Francese.
This Italian-American chicken dish offers a different flavor experience from Chicken Parmigiana. Instead of emphasizing tomato sauce and melted cheese, it features a lemon-butter style of sauce.
It’s worth considering when you want a chicken entrée but aren’t craving a traditional red-sauce dinner.
Chicken Marsala: A Savory Alternative
Chicken Marsala is another option for diners who want something beyond tomato-based Italian entrées.
With its mushroom and wine-style sauce, Chicken Marsala offers a savory flavor profile distinct from both Chicken Parmigiana and Chicken Francese.
When comparing the three, the decision often comes down to sauce preference: tomato and cheese, lemon-butter, or mushroom and wine.
Eggplant Parmigiana: A Meatless Italian Classic
Eggplant Parmigiana is an appealing choice when you want a traditional Italian dish without a chicken or veal centerpiece.
The combination of eggplant, tomato sauce and cheese makes it a satisfying alternative to Chicken Parmigiana.
For diners who enjoy Parmigiana-style dishes but would rather choose eggplant, this is an option worth exploring.
How to Choose the Right Italian Dinner
Not sure what to order? Start by thinking about the flavors and textures you enjoy most.
| If You’re Craving… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Creamy pasta sauce | Penne Vodka or pasta with Alfredo |
| Baked pasta and cheese | Baked Ziti |
| Traditional pasta with tomato sauce | Spaghetti and Meatballs |
| Breaded chicken with tomato sauce and cheese | Chicken Parmigiana |
| Lemon-forward chicken | Chicken Francese |
| A savory mushroom-style sauce | Chicken Marsala |
| A meatless Parmigiana dish | Eggplant Parmigiana |
There’s no single right answer. The best Italian dish for your dinner is the one that matches what you’re hungry for.
Still deciding? Browse the current Naples Pizza menu before placing your order.
Round Out Your Meal With an Appetizer or Salad
An Italian dinner doesn’t have to begin and end with the main course.
Naples’ menu also includes appetizers and salads that can complement your entrée.
Garlic knots are a familiar addition to an Italian meal, especially when you’re ordering pasta. Mozzarella sticks offer another cheese-focused starter, while a salad can add something crisp and fresh alongside a richer entrée.
If several people are ordering together, consider choosing different main dishes and adding an appetizer that everyone can enjoy.
For groups with different tastes, Naples’ combination of pizza and Italian dishes makes it possible for each person to choose something that appeals to them.
Dine In or Order Italian Food for Pickup in Barnegat
A delicious pizza starts with the classics! Watch as our cheese pizza comes together, ready for the oven and your next pizza craving.
One of the advantages of exploring the Italian menu at Naples Pizza is that you can enjoy these dishes in the restaurant or order ahead for pickup.
Planning a sit-down dinner? Visit Naples Pizza & Restaurant at 550 N Main Street, Suite D, in Barnegat.
Prefer dinner at home? Browse the menu online, select your dishes, and place an order for pickup at the Barnegat restaurant.
If you have questions about a particular dish, available ingredients or modifications, call (609) 698-3830 before ordering.
You can also learn more about our Italian restaurant in Barnegat and the dine-in and takeout options available.
Planning Italian Food for a Group?
Choosing dinner for two is one thing. Planning food for a larger gathering can involve different considerations.
If you’re organizing a family celebration, office meal or other event, Naples also offers Italian catering.
Visit our Italian Catering page to explore the catering menu and contact the restaurant about your event.
Find Your Next Italian Favorite at Naples Pizza
Whether you’re craving creamy Penne Vodka, cheesy Baked Ziti, classic Chicken Parmigiana, or a different Italian favorite, there’s more than one way to enjoy dinner at Naples Pizza.
The next time you’re deciding what to eat, explore something beyond your usual order. Compare a few dishes, find the flavors you’re in the mood for and make dinner something to look forward to.
Ready to Dig Into Something Delicious?
Explore Our Menu or Order Online for Pickup.
Prefer to dine in? Visit Naples Pizza & Restaurant at 550 N Main Street, Suite D, Barnegat, NJ, or call (609) 698-3830.
