Meatball Pasta Bake

Name: Meatball Pasta Bake
Ingredients: 1 (16-oz.) package penne pasta; 1 small sweet onion, chopped; 1 medium-size fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon fennel seeds; 2 (24-oz.) jars marinara sauce; 2 (14-oz.) packages frozen beef meatballs, thawed; 1 cup fresh orange juice; 3/4 cup organic chicken broth; 1 teaspoon firmly packed orange zest; 1 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup torn fresh basil; 1 1/2 (8-oz.) packages fresh mozzarella cheese slices; Garnish: fresh basil leaves

16 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

1 (16-oz.) package penne pasta
1 small sweet onion, chopped
1 medium-size fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 (24-oz.) jars marinara sauce
2 (14-oz.) packages frozen beef meatballs, thawed
1 cup fresh orange juice
3/4 cup organic chicken broth
1 teaspoon firmly packed orange zest
1 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup torn fresh basil
1 1/2 (8-oz.) packages fresh mozzarella cheese slices
Garnish: fresh basil leaves

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2

Saute onion and fennel bulb in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and fennel seeds, and saute 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce and next 6 ingredients; increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in basil, cooked pasta, and salt to taste. Transfer to a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Place dish on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Top with cheese.
3

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
4

Note: We tested with Classico Marinara with Plum Tomatoes.