Posted by This Air Fryer Pasta Bake recipe is the simplest way to enjoy a delicious meal for lunch or dinner. All you need is your favorite pasta, a flavorful pasta sauce, a generous topping of cheese, and your trusty air fryer.
Using basic ingredients, this recipe comes together effortlessly, much like my One Pot Ricotta and Lemon Pasta.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients for Air Fryer Pasta Bake (Cheese and Tomato)
- How to Make Pasta Bake in an Air Fryer
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage
- Air Fryer Recipes
Can You Cook Pasta Bake in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! The air fryer is a fantastic way to cook pasta bake. It requires less time than using an oven and still delivers that perfectly cooked, cheesy goodness.
Imagine a hearty pasta casserole topped with bubbling, golden cheese. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Have you tried making Vegetarian Eggplant Parmigiana in the air fryer? Or perhaps a creamy Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese?
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that works well for busy weeknights. It’s cost-effective and can be tailored to suit various dietary preferences.
What makes this dish even better is its versatility. You can prepare everything from scratch or take shortcuts by using store-bought pasta and cheese sauces. Either way, the air fryer works wonders by circulating hot air to achieve a perfectly crisp and cheesy top layer.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Pasta Bake (Cheese and Tomato)
The full recipe with measurements is available in the recipe card below, where you can also leave a star rating.
Pasta
Choose your favorite type! I recommend penne, rigatoni, elbow pasta, or shells as they hold sauce well. Bowtie pasta also works.
- Gluten-Free Option: Lentil pasta is an excellent choice for a protein-packed, gluten-free meal. I used lentil pasta for TikTok-inspired Air Fryer Pasta Chips, which make a great healthy snack.
Pasta Sauce
I used a homemade sundried tomato and olive pasta sauce made in my Instant Pot. You can also opt for store-bought marinara or make your own.
White Sauce
For added creaminess, use store-bought bechamel or homemade cheese sauce. Alternatively, mix cream cheese with your pasta sauce.
Cheese
I used cheddar cheese, but mozzarella, parmesan, or red Leicester work just as well. Vegan cheese is a great alternative too.
Seasoning
Italian seasoning is my go-to, but garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper can add extra flavor.
Optional Vegetables
Add sautéed veggies like mushrooms, peppers, eggplant, or squash for a nutritional boost. Just sauté them in olive oil for 3–4 minutes before mixing them in.
How to Make Pasta Bake in an Air Fryer
I used the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, but any air fryer will work.
- Cook the Pasta
Boil your pasta until it’s just al dente. It will continue cooking in the air fryer. - Combine Ingredients
Mix the cooked pasta with your preferred pasta sauce. I combined tomato sauce with homemade cheese sauce. Add any extras like sautéed vegetables or seasonings. - Assemble the Dish
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish that fits in your air fryer. Top it generously with grated cheese. - Air Fry
Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C (360°F) for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.- Pro Tip: Start checking at 8 minutes, as cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model and dish size.
Serving Suggestions
Pasta bake is perfect on its own, but a simple side salad elevates the meal. Consider pairing it with these options:
- Tuscan White Bean Panzanella or Grilled Zucchini Ribbon Salad
- Red Grape, Rosemary, and Goat’s Cheese Focaccia
- Chickpea Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
For a crispy side, try:
- Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Avocado Slices
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
For a low-carb option, go for Air Fryer Zucchini Fries (Courgette Fries).
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer for a quick and tasty second serving.
With this Air Fryer Pasta Bake, you can enjoy a comforting, cheesy casserole in a fraction of the time. Try it today and see how this quick and customizable recipe fits perfectly into your meal rotation!
Air Fryer Pasta Bake Recipe
This quick and easy Air Fryer Pasta Bake is the perfect dish for lunch or dinner. With just a few ingredients, you can create a delicious meal in no time!
Cuisine: Air Fryer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Casserole Dish (must be oven-safe, 22cm x 18cm used in this recipe)
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
- 250 grams uncooked pasta
- 500 grams pasta sauce (a mix of tomato sauce and cheese sauce)
- 75 grams cheddar cheese, grated
Optional
- 1 cup mixed vegetables, cooked
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Boil 250 grams of pasta until al dente, as it will continue cooking in the air fryer.
- Combine Ingredients
- Mix the cooked pasta with 500 grams of your favorite pasta sauce. For this recipe, a combination of tomato sauce and homemade cheese sauce was used.
- Stir in any extras, such as 1 cup of cooked mixed vegetables or your preferred seasoning.
- Assemble the Dish
- Transfer the pasta mixture into a casserole dish that fits in your air fryer.
- Top with 75 grams of grated cheddar cheese.
- Air Fry
- Place the casserole dish in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 180°C (360°F) for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
- Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your dish and air fryer model.
Notes
- Pasta Sauce: This recipe uses a homemade tomato and olive pasta sauce prepared in an Instant Pot, mixed with a simple cheese sauce.
- Customizations: Feel free to add cooked vegetables or proteins of your choice to the pasta mixture.
- Casserole Dish: Ensure your dish is oven-safe before placing it in the air fryer.
- Cooking Time: Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model and the size of the dish.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 151 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
- Sodium: 1033mg
- Potassium: 668mg
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 7g
- Vitamin A: 3310 IU
- Vitamin C: 18mg
- Calcium: 170mg
- Iron: 2mg