Food and Recipes Recipes Meatball Pasta Bake 3.7 (3) 2 Reviews Orange juice and fennel give this quick supper bright, fresh flavor. Chop fennel as you would an onion, or omit it, if desired. By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on January 9, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Hands On Time: 30 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins Yield: 8 to 10 servings 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 Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pasta according to package directions. 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. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Note: We tested with Classico Marinara with Plum Tomatoes. Rate it Print