Food & Cooking Recipes Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes Pork-Meatball Skillet Bake By Lauryn Tyrell Lauryn Tyrell Website Lauryn is the senior food editor for Martha Stewart Living. Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 16, 2019 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Justin Walker Prep Time: 30 mins Total Time: 50 mins Servings: 4 Tender three-ingredient meatballs are the star of this quick and easy skillet bake. They're seared and simmered in a sweet pepper-studded tomato sauce, then slices of toasted Italian bread are nestled into the skillet and everything is topped with mozzarella. After a trip to the broiler for maximum cheese-stretch effect, all you have left to do is to set the whole thing on the table and dig in. Ingredients 1 pound ground pork 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed 1 ½ ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated (⅓ cup) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 2 red or yellow bell peppers, cored and cut into ½-inch strips (2 cups) 1 onion, cut into ½-inch slices (1 ½ cups) 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces) 3 thick slices crusty boule, halved 6 ounces fresh mozzarella Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, for serving Directions Mix together pork, fennel, Parmigiano, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Form into 1 1/2-inch balls. Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add peppers, onion, and 1/4 cup water to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and 3/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper and return meatballs and any accumulated juices to pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Partially cover skillet and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Preheat broiler, with rack 6 inches below element. On a baking sheet, drizzle both sides of bread with oil. Broil, flipping once, until toasted. Nestle into skillet and top everything with mozzarella. Broil until cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve. Print