The Best Italian Sausage Ziti in the Air Fryer

The best pasta bake for the air fryer

Pasta is always a favorite in our household. With that said, you cannot go wrong with the Best Italian Sausage Ziti in the Air Fryer. 

With easy steps and simple ingredients, you have some of the best ziti pasta made with homemade sauce. 

And of course, when you bake the pasta in the air fryer, you can have your dinner will be ready faster than the traditional oven. You will be ready to eat in no time at all!

You can find so many more dinner recipes like this on my YouTube channel or on the website to help plan your next meals. 

Ingredients and Supplies You’ll Need to Make the Best Italian Sausage Ziti in the Air Fryer:

Ingredients:

• Penne pasta
• Avocado oil (or olive oil)
• Italian sausage
• Onion, finely chopped
• Minced garlic
• Tomato sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• Dried parsley
• Dried basil
• Salt, or to taste
• Ground black pepper, or to taste
• Shredded mozzarella cheese, or to taste

Supplies

• Large pot
• Skillet
• Knife 
• Cutting board
• Aluminum foil
• Colander
• Air fryer (Cosori Pro II)

Can this meal be frozen?

Yes! This is a great meal to freeze. You can either freeze the whole thing after you have the pasta mixed up with the sauce or you can continue to make it as is. 

Or, I love to double this recipe so I can bake half and freeze half. 

What kind of meat to use for this pasta recipe

When I make this recipe, we tend to use the delicious Italian sausage, which turns out fantastic. 

However, you can always use your favorite meat for this recipe. Here are a few other options:

1. Ground chicken
2. Ground turkey
3. Ground beef
4. Sliced sausage

How to make the Best Italian Sausage Ziti in the Air Fryer:

Step 1: Cook pasta

Begin by cooking the pasta until fully cooked but still firm (al dente). About 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions.

Step 2: Cook the meat

Now, in a large pot or skillet, heat the oil. Add the sausage and cook until brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks.

Then, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Saute it all until soft and the onions are tender, this should take about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Make up the sauce

Once that is done, add the tomato sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer.

Add in the Italian Seasoning, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper.

After the seasonings are added, turn the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes to enrich the flavor.

Step 4: Combine the pasta bake

Combine the cooked penne and sauce together.

Note: This recipe is great to prepare as a freezer meal. At this point, you can use as much pasta as desired for your meal, then freeze leftovers (once cooled completely) in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag (good for 3 months). When ready to cook from frozen, let thaw in the fridge. Then bake in the air fryer.

Step 5: Prep the pasta

Now, lay down a piece of tin foil in the air fryer basket, allowing some to come up on the sides. You want to fully cover the bottom of the basket so that the baked pasta is easy to remove.

Layer the pasta in the air fryer (you can add as much pasta as desired, but don’t fill the basket more than halfway full), then add the shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese on top to your taste.

After the liners are filled, place in the air fryer basket.

Step 6: Bake the Italian sausage pasta

Once the pasta is completely arranged in the air fryer, air fry the ziti at 350 degrees F or 177 degrees C for 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted to your liking and the pasta is baked as desired.

Then, carefully remove the foil from the air fryer basket, and enjoy!

Notes:

If you don’t like cooking with foil, use an air fryer-safe dish like a silicone pot.

What to serve with Baked Ziti

There are plenty of good sides that you can serve with this delicious and easy Italian recipe. Check them out and pick your favorite or try them all!

Side dish recipes:

• Quick and Easy Air Fryer Garlic Rolls
• Little Caesar’s Crazy Bread Copycat Recipe
• Air Fryer Frozen Texas Toast
• Air Fryer Broccoli from Frozen

Final Thoughts

If you are in search of a restaurant meal made with simple ingredients, then you need to give this Air Fryer Italian Sausage Ziti a try. 

It really is simple to make and with most everything you will have at home already. If you don’t have ziti, simply switch out the pasta for something you do have and give it a try!

More Italian Recipes to Make in the Air Fryer:

• Air Fryer Italian Meatloaf Bites with Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

• Air Fryer Lasagna Bites
• Pesto Chicken in the Air Fryer

• Easy Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer

• All in One Air Fryer Feta Penne Pasta

• Poor Man’s Lasagna Recipe (Oven and Air Fryer Instructions)

Air fryer tips and tricks

• Air Fryer 101
• Learn these common Air Fryer Mistakes!
• All about the Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
• FREE Download → Air Fryer Tips & Temps
• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• Watch Fabulessly Frugal YouTube Channel for Air Fryer Recipes

The Best Air Italian Sausage Ziti in the Air Fryer

The Best Italian Sausage Ziti in the Air Fryer is the perfect combination of sweet and savory sauce with tasty ziti pasta.

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Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Serves: 8

Adjust Servings: 8

Equipment

• Large pot
• Skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Aluminum foil
• Colander
• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons Avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 cup Onion finely chopped (about 1/2 an onion)
• 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
• 2 cans Tomato sauce about 3 cups
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup Shredded Parmesan cheese divided
• ½ tbsp Dried parsley
• ½ tbsp Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
• ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper or to taste
• 2-3 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese or to taste

Instructions

• Cook the pasta until fully cooked but still firm (al dente). About 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions.
• In a large pot or skillet, heat the oil. Add the sausage and cook until brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
• Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Saute until soft and tender, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.
• Add the Italian Seasoning, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Turn the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes to enrich the flavor.
• Combine the cooked penne and sauce together.
• This recipe is great to prepare as a freezer meal. At this point, you can use as much pasta as desired for your meal, then freeze leftovers (once cooled completely) in an airtight container or freezer safe bag (good for 3 months). When ready to cook from frozen, let thaw in the fridge. Then bake in the air fryer.
• Lay down a piece of tinfoil in the air fryer basket, allowing some to come up on the sides. You want to fully cover the bottom of the basket so that the baked pasta is easy to remove.
• Layer the pasta in the air fryer (you can add as much pasta as desired, but don't fill the basket more than halfway full) , then add mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese to taste.
• Air fry at 350 °F for 5-6 minutes, or until cheese is melted to your liking and pasta is baked as desired.
• Carefully remove the foil from the air fryer basket, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Notes:

If you don’t like cooking with foil, use an air fryer safe dish like a silicone pot.

Recipe Adapted From: Ahead of Thyme

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