Air-Frying Pasta Bake: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook a variety of dishes, including pasta bakes. They are a great alternative to ovens, especially when cooking for fewer people, as they are more energy-efficient and have shorter cooking times. You can cook pasta bakes from scratch in an air fryer, without having to boil the pasta separately, or you can use leftover pasta. The versatility of the air fryer allows you to customise your pasta bake with different vegetables, sauces, proteins and types of pasta to suit your taste and dietary needs.

Air fryer pasta bake recipe

Ingredients

• Pasta (any shape)
• Pasta Sauce (red/tomato-based, white sauce, or homemade)
• Water
• Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, or any other variety)
• Butter
• Oil
• Chilli Flakes
• Oregano Seasoning
• Garlic
• Capsicum/Bell Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sugar
• Basil Leaves (optional)
• Meat (optional)
• Vegetables (optional)

Method

• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. If using raw pasta in the air fryer, skip this step but add water to the sauce to ensure the pasta cooks through.
• If using meat or vegetables, cook them in a skillet until browned and softened.
• In a 7-inch round pan that fits your air fryer, add butter, oil, chilli flakes, oregano seasoning, garlic, capsicum, mushroom, raw pasta, red pasta sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar. Mix well.
• Ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the sauce-water mixture.
• Transfer the mixture to an appropriate-sized baking dish that fits your air fryer. Stoneware, glass, ceramic, metal, and silicone dishes are usually safe.
• Top the pasta with grated or shredded cheese.
• Place the baking dish in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 160°C (320°F) for 8 minutes, then at 200°C for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
• If you prefer a softer pasta bake without a crispy top, cover the dish with foil before air frying.
• If making ahead, let the dish cool, then wrap and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat in the air fryer until piping hot.

Tips

• This recipe is perfect for quick, comforting, and convenient meals for 1-2 people.
• You can use dried or fresh pasta, jarred or homemade sauce, and any variety of cheese to suit your taste and dietary needs.
• Customise your pasta bake by adding protein and vegetables of your choice.
• For a crispy, crunchy side dish, try air-frying zucchini/courgette fries, spring rolls, or chestnuts.

No-boil pasta

To make a no-boil pasta bake in an air fryer, start by choosing a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer. The type of pasta you use is up to you, but ensure it fits conveniently in the baking dish. You can use raw fusilli pasta or any other shape, such as penne, rigatoni, elbow pasta, or shells. Remember that the baking time may vary depending on the pasta shape.

For the sauce, you can use a store-bought tomato pasta sauce or make your own. Combine the pasta sauce with water, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged. You can also add ingredients like butter, oil, chilli flakes, oregano, garlic, capsicum, mushroom, salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Mix everything well.

Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil, ensuring the base is lined to prevent it from blowing off in the air fryer. Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and mix well. If the pasta feels dry, add a little more water and mix again.

Finally, sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese and chopped basil leaves on top. Bake at 200°C for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve immediately, and enjoy your delicious no-boil pasta bake!

Pasta bake ingredients

A pasta bake is a hearty, meaty, and cheesy dish. It is a convenient meal that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for feeding a crowd. The ingredients for a pasta bake can vary depending on individual preferences, but here is a list of common ingredients used:

Pasta:

The type of pasta used in a bake is versatile. Some common types include penne, rigatoni, ziti, elbow pasta, shells, or even spaghetti. Gluten-free options like lentil pasta are also available.

Sauce:

A pasta bake usually includes a generous amount of sauce. You can use a store-bought tomato-based pasta sauce or make your own. Some recipes call for a creamy tomato sauce, while others suggest adding brown gravy for extra flavour.

Meat:

Ground beef is a popular choice for adding protein to a pasta bake. It is often cooked with diced onions and seasonings like garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.

Cheese:

Cheese is a key ingredient in a pasta bake, adding a gooey, creamy texture. Mozzarella is a popular choice, but you can also use ricotta, Parmesan, cheddar, or a blend of cheeses.

Vegetables:

Some recipes include vegetables like mushrooms, capsicum, and garlic. You can also add cooked veggies of your choice to increase the nutritional value.

Seasonings:

Seasonings play an important role in enhancing the flavour of a pasta bake. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, chilli flakes, oregano, and Italian seasoning.

Other Ingredients:

Depending on your taste preferences, you can add ingredients like sugar, eggs, or even water to the sauce to ensure the pasta cooks through properly.

Air fryer temperature and time

If you are making a pasta bake with raw pasta, you will need to add water to the sauce to ensure the pasta cooks through. In this case, the baking time may change based on the shape of the pasta. For example, if you are making a baked spaghetti, you can assemble the whole bake in one go. However, if you are using pre-grated mozzarella, you will need to pre-cook the spaghetti for 10 minutes before adding the cheese.

For a more complex pasta bake with vegetables, protein, and seasoning, the cooking time will depend on the specific ingredients used. As a general rule, cook the pasta bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling. If you are using ground meat, be sure to brown it before mixing it with the other ingredients.

It is also important to consider the size of your casserole dish and air fryer model when determining the cooking time. A larger dish or a smaller air fryer may require a longer cooking time. Additionally, if you are using a glass or silicone dish, check for any temperature guidelines to ensure it is safe for use in an air fryer.

Finally, if you are reheating leftover pasta bake, you can cook it in the air fryer at 360F for 7-10 minutes until heated through. If you are cooking the pasta bake from frozen, cover it tightly with foil and cook at 360F for around 15 minutes.

Storing and reheating pasta bake

Storing pasta bake

If you have cooked too much pasta bake, storing the leftovers properly will ensure that you can enjoy it another time. To store leftover pasta bake, wait for it to cool down and then place it in an airtight container. It can then be kept in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months. If you are storing it in the freezer, it is best to portion it into freezer bags or containers. To prevent the pasta from sticking together, toss it with a little olive oil before freezing.

Reheating pasta bake

There are several ways to reheat leftover pasta bake. The best method depends on the equipment you have available and your personal preference. Here are some of the most common ways to reheat pasta bake:

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Cover the dish with aluminium foil to retain moisture and prevent the top from drying out. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pasta bake is thoroughly warmed.
• Microwave: Loosely cover the dish and reheat for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Check to see if the pasta bake is heated all the way through. If not, continue microwaving at 15-second increments until hot, stirring the pasta in between each microwave session to prevent clumping.
• Hob: Bring a pot of water to the boil. Dunk the pasta bake in the water for about 30-60 seconds, then drain. If you are reheating sauced pasta, you can then put the pasta and cold sauce directly back into the hot pot to mix and heat the sauce.
• Frying pan: Bring a few tablespoons of water to a simmer in a low frying pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the pasta bake and put the lid on. Wait about 30 seconds, remove the lid, stir, then close the lid for another 30 seconds. Repeat this process until the pasta bake is heated through.

Frequently asked questions