Recipes
Hot Giardiniera Meatball Pasta Bake
Total Time:
30 Minutes | Cook: 70 Minutes
Serves:
8-10 People
Aurelio’s Hot Giardiniera Marinara Sauce
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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 jars of Aurelio’s Hot Giardiniera Marinara Sauce
- 2 (14-oz.) packages frozen beef meatballs, thawed
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon firmly packed orange zest
- 1 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 (8-oz.) packages fresh mozzarella cheese slices
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
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STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 350°.
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STEP 2
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain.
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STEP 3
Sauté onion and fennel bulb in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until tender.
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STEP 4
Add garlic and fennel seeds, and sauté 1 minute.
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STEP 5
Stir in Aurelio’s Hot Giardiniera Marinara Sauce, thawed meatballs, orange juice, chicken broth, orange zest, red bell pepper. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
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STEP 6
Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
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STEP 7
Remove from heat, and stir in basil, cooked pasta, and salt to taste.
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STEP 8
Transfer to a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Place dish on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Top with cheese.
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STEP 9
Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
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STEP 10
Enjoy!
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