Meatball Pasta Bake

• 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

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0. 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 350u0b0 for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Note: We tested with Classico Marinara with Plum Tomatoes.

penne pasta, sweet onion, fennel, olive oil, garlic, fennel seeds, marinara sauce, frozen beef meatballs, orange juice, chicken broth, orange zest, red bell pepper, kosher salt, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/meatball-pasta-bake (may not work)