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Air Fryer Meatball Pasta Bake

Name: Air Fryer Meatball Pasta Bake
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 16 min
Ingredients: 1 - 1 1/2 cups Uncooked penne pasta; 5-6 Frozen meatballs; 1 tbsp Pesto; 3/4 - 1 cup Marinara sauce; 1/2 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese (or to taste, divided); 1/2 cup Shredded parmesan cheese (or to taste, divided)

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With only 6 ingredients you can have the best air fryer meatball pasta bake ready for dinner in a flash without compromising flavor.

Nov 13, 2023 The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

air fryer meatball pasta bake

Air Fryer Meatball Pasta Bake is a delicious restaurant-quality dinner recipe with al dente pasta, frozen meatballs, and other simple ingredients.

It is like casseroles you would make in the oven, but done faster in the air fryer without a pan to clean up.

Aka the best way to make a meatball pasta bake recipe and will quickly be added to your family favorites dinner list.

Ingredients needed for making Air Fryer Meatball Pasta Bake:

air fryer meatball pasta bake ingredients

Uncooked penne pasta
Frozen meatballs
Pesto
Marinara sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Shredded parmesan cheese

Supplies needed for this Air Fryer Meatball Pasta Bake:

Large pot
Colander
Medium mixing bowl
Tinfoil
Air fryer (Cosori Pro II)

Ways to spice up this baked meatball casserole recipe:

To change up the flavour of this casserole dish, you can add even more spices to the pasta mixture:

Dried parsley
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Italian seasoning
Oregano
Garlic salt

Different meat options for meatball casserole bake:

Instead of using frozen meatballs, you can swap them out for your other favorite protein. Here are a few to choose from:

Ground beef
Ground chicken
Ground turkey
Ground pork sausage

How to store the pasta leftovers:

If you have any leftovers of this meatball pasta bake, place them in an air-tight container and store them in the fridge for 3-5 days.

How to make Air Fryer Meatball Pasta Bake:

Step 1: Prepare pasta and meatballs

Let water boil in a pot. Once the water boils, add penne to the pot and cook the pasta based on the package instructions.

air fryer meatball

Then, add meatballs to the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees F or 177 degrees C for 8 minutes.

air fryer meatballs

Once the pasta is al dente, drain the penne using a colander.

Step 2: Mix pasta mixture

air fryer meatball pasta bake

Carefully remove the meatballs from the air fryer basket and cut the meatballs in half.

air fryer meatball pasta bake

Add the meatballs, penne, marinara sauce, pesto, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese together in the same pot used to boil the penne (or in a separate bowl). Stir everything together until it is combined.

Step 3: Bake the pasta

Lay down a piece of foil in the air fryer basket, allowing some to come up on the sides to make sure the pasta doesn’t fall down the sides.

air fryer meatball pasta bake

Then transfer the pasta mixture to the tin foil, spreading it out in a single layer. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese

Air fry the pasta mixture at 320 degrees F or 120 degrees C for 8 min, or until the pasta is baked to your liking.

Now, carefully remove the pasta and enjoy!

Air Fryer Pasta Recipes:

If you weren’t sure, the air fryer is still a great way to make pasta. No need to preheat the air fryer like you would the oven, so it speeds up the process! Give these delicious ones a try:

Final Thoughts

This meatball pasta bake made in the air fryer is a great way to change up your everyday pasta night. You can get all the same texture you would get from the oven but made in the air fryer with less time.

Such a great dinner recipe to make during those busy weeknights without giving into fast food.

Side dishes to serve with air fryer pasta bake:

Air fryer tips and tricks