Meatball Pasta Bake

By charlotteh371

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

Preparation

Step 1

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