We’ve all had pasta and meatballs, but you’ve never tasted pasta and meatballs quite like this! Ultimate Cheesy Pasta Bake brings the bouncy pasta and the juicy, tender, savory meatballs, but with so much more! The meatballs are simmered in the bright, rich tomato sauce, which is infused with sunny, zesty orange flavors and fragrant fennel. Mozzarella cheese and fresh basil blanket the pasta perfection, adding creaminess and an even more herbaceous taste. Ultimate Cheesy Pasta Bake really is the end-all and be-all of pasta nights!
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped
- 1 medium-size fennel bulb, optional, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
- 2 (14-ounce) packages frozen beef meatballs, thawed
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, firmly packed
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup fresh basil, torn, plus more for garnish
- 1 1/2 (8-ounce) packages fresh mozzarella cheese slices
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –Prepare pasta according to the package directions.
Step 4 –In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the oil.
Step 5 –Sauté the onion and the fennel bulb in the hot oil until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the garlic and the fennel seeds and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 7 –Stir in the marinara sauce, the frozen meatballs, the orange juice, the chicken broth, the orange zest, the red bell pepper, and the kosher salt.
Step 8 –Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 9 –Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.
Step 10 –Transfer the Dutch oven from the heat.
Step 11 –Stir in the basil and the cooked pasta.
Step 12 –Season the mixture to taste.
Step 13 –Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Step 14 –Place the dish on an aluminum-foil-lined baking sheet.
Step 15 –Top the bake with the mozzarella.
Step 16 –Bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes.
Step 17 –Serve.
