Air Fryer Lasagna for One or Two

Name: Air Fryer Lasagna for One or Two
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 Lasagna noodles; 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese; 1/4-1/2 lb Cooked ground beef; Salt (to taste); Italian seasoning (to taste); Onion powder (to taste); Garlic powder (to taste); Mozzarella cheese (to taste); any additional lasagna add-ins - I added in some baby spinach and we had chopped bell peppers and onions already in made

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Avoid leftovers with this Air Fryer Lasagna for one or two with this delicious pasta dish with cheesy, meaty layers.

Cathy Yoder Updated on January 26, 2026 The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

No Leftovers! Air Fryer Lasagna for One or Two

Air fryer lasagna for one or two in a loaf pan

Dinner for one can be tricky — and cooking for two doesn’t always make it easier. This Air Fryer Lasagna for One or Two is designed to flex with you, whether you’re making a cozy single-serving dinner or splitting a small batch for two. It’s perfect when you want comfort food without committing to a whole pan (and without a mountain of leftovers).

This air fryer basket recipe pairs perfectly with garlic bread and a simple salad — and because it’s made in a small loaf pan, it cooks faster than traditional oven-baked lasagna. If you’re new to air fryer cooking, you’ll also love our Air Fryer 101 guide.

Air Fryer Lasagna for One (Single-Serving Option)

If you’re cooking just for yourself, this recipe easily works as an Air Fryer Lasagna for One. Simply build one stack of layers in a small loaf pan and enjoy a perfectly portioned, single-serving lasagna with no leftovers. It’s ideal for solo dinners, portion control, or when you want comfort food without committing to a full pan.

How This Recipe Works for One vs Two Servings

For one: Build in a small loaf pan for a true single-serving lasagna.
For two: Build two side by side.

Food safety note: Ground beef should reach a safe internal temperature. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F. Learn more from the USDA here: Ground Beef and Food Safety (USDA).

Ingredients and Supplies You’ll Need to Make this Air Fryer Lasagna for One or Two

Ingredients for air fryer lasagna for one or two

Ingredients

Lasagna noodles
Ricotta cheese
Cooked ground beef
Salt
Italian seasoning
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Mozzarella cheese
Any additional lasagna add-ins (optional)

Supplies

Skillet
Medium pot
Knife
Cutting board
Baking dish (small loaf pan works best)
Oil sprayer
Aluminum foil
Air fryer (example: Cosori Pro II)

Other Lasagna Add-Ins

While you don’t have to add anything extra to this lasagna recipe, add-ins are a great way to use up what you have on hand. I added baby spinach and minced garlic, plus chopped bell peppers and onions that I already had prepped.

Other tasty options:

Sliced mushrooms
Zucchini
Diced tomatoes

Layering air fryer lasagna in a loaf pan

How to Prepare the Meat

Before you make this lasagna meat sauce, cook the ground beef ahead of time. The meat will not cook through properly in the air fryer like it would in a long-bake oven lasagna. Pre-cooking also keeps your layers neat and helps the lasagna heat evenly.

Meat to Use for This Pasta Sauce Mixture

Our recipe calls for about 8 oz of ground beef, but you can absolutely use what you have on hand. Ground beef, ground Italian sausage, or ground turkey all work well in this recipe. If you’re using a higher-fat meat, drain off excess grease so your lasagna doesn’t get watery.

Air fryer lasagna for one or two after cooking

Sauce to Use for Lasagna

We love a classic red meat sauce, but you can also turn this into a delicious white sauce lasagna if you prefer. A thick marinara (not too watery) tends to work best in the air fryer because it keeps the layers from sliding and helps the noodles finish tender without turning soupy.

Oven-Ready Pasta Noodles

While oven-ready noodles can be a great shortcut for traditional oven lasagna, I do not suggest them for this recipe. In the oven, noodles have more time to soften slowly. In the air fryer, the cook time is shorter, and oven-ready noodles often stay too firm in the center.

How to Make This Air Fryer Lasagna for One or Two

Step 1: Prepare the Lasagna Noodles

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Let them cool slightly, then cut them in half so they fit neatly into your loaf pan. (This small step makes assembly so much easier!)

Step 2: Prepare Ground Beef

Cooked seasoned ground beef for air fryer lasagna

Cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Season the meat with salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste. If you’re using add-ins like onions or peppers, sauté them with the meat for extra flavor.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna

Layering noodles ricotta sauce and meat in a loaf pan

Spray the loaf pan lightly with oil. Place one half of a lasagna noodle in the dish. Layer on ricotta cheese, marinara sauce, and ground beef, plus any optional toppings you’re using.

Step 4: Repeat Layers

Add another cooked noodle and repeat for the next layers. For a true Air Fryer Lasagna for One, keep it to 1–2 layers. For two servings, build 3–4 layers and plan to slice it in half after resting.

Finish with a final noodle, a spoonful of marinara, and mozzarella cheese to taste.

Step 5: Air Fry Lasagna

Covered loaf pan lasagna in air fryer basket

Cover the dish with foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 12 minutes. Tip: Lightly spray the underside of the foil with oil to keep it from sticking to the cheese.

Step 6: The Final Cook

Air fryer lasagna after removing foil and browning cheese

Remove the foil, increase heat to 400°F (200°C), and air fry for an additional 3–4 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving (this helps the layers set so you don’t lose all that gorgeous structure).

Sides to Serve with Lasagna

After you’ve made this easy lasagna recipe, round it out with a simple side. I love a crisp salad or something garlicky and bread-y — because lasagna deserves a sidekick.

Delicious pasta side dishes:

Air fryer lasagna for one or two served and ready to eat

Storage and Reheating

For one: This recipe is amazing because you may not have leftovers — but if you do, store the cooled lasagna in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

For two: Store slices separately so they reheat faster and more evenly.

Reheat in air fryer: 320°F for 4–7 minutes (cover loosely with foil if the top browns too fast).
Reheat in microwave: Quick and easy, but the air fryer keeps the top a little crispier.

Air Fryer Lasagna for One: FAQs

Can I really make lasagna in the air fryer for one person?

Yes! This recipe is perfect for an Air Fryer Lasagna for One. Use a small loaf pan and build a single stack of layers for a true single-serving meal with no big-pan leftovers.

What size pan works best for air fryer lasagna for one?

A small loaf pan or mini baking dish works best. It fits in most air fryer baskets and creates the ideal portion for one (or a small batch for two).

Why did my lasagna come out watery?

Watery lasagna usually comes from sauce that’s too thin, extra moisture from veggies, or not draining meat. Use a thicker marinara, sauté watery veggies (like mushrooms) before layering, and drain excess grease from the meat.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely. Skip the meat and add sautéed veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, peppers) or use a plant-based crumble. Keep the layers fairly compact so the loaf pan holds together.

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