This air fryer pasta bake is the kind of quick dinner recipe that saves the day… cheesy, cozy, and ready fast. Let’s be honest, anything with a melty cheese top is a yes.
Watch my Air Fryer Pasta Bake recipe video below, and tell me what you think in the comments… I love hearing how yours turned out. Give it a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer dinners and cozy pasta recipes!
Why you’ll love this air fryer pasta bake
This air fryer pasta bake is simple, filling, and uses basic fridge stuff. Perfect for lunch or an easy weeknight meal when you want comfort food but do not want a pile of dishes.
Texture + flavor
This tastes like a cheesy pasta bake with that baked top you crave. The middle stays soft and melty, and the top gets golden brown and a little crispy… how can you not love it?!
Air fryer pasta bake ingredients
• 1 pound elbow macaroni or rotini or chickpea pasta (500 grams)
• 3 eggs
• 7 to 10 ounces shredded cheese (200 to 300 grams), mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or an Italian blend, plus a little extra for the top
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 4 slices of ham
Note: Pick a cheese that melts really well. Pre-shredded is totally fine, but freshly grated melts even more smoothly.
Equipment
I make this air fryer pasta bake in my Ninja air fryer, like the one below. I just line the basket with aluminum foil and parchment paper, and it cooks up really evenly with that melty, golden, slightly crispy cheese on top every time.
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• air fryer
• large pot
• colander
• mixing bowl
• fork or whisk
• spoon or spatula
For the basket
• aluminum foil
• parchment paper
Instructions for this air fryer pasta bake
Step 1: Boil 1 pound of elbow macaroni or rotini (500 grams) until it is just tender but still has a little bite. Stir once or twice so it does not stick. Drain it really well, then let it sit for about a minute so extra water can steam off.
Top Tip: Cook the pasta just until it still has a little bite. It keeps cooking in the air fryer, so this helps it stay nice and not too soft.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, crack 3 eggs. Then add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 pinch of black pepper. Whisk until the eggs are well mixed and a little foamy.
Step 3: Add the drained pasta to a big mixing bowl. Add most of 7 to 10 ounces of shredded cheese (200 to 300 grams) and save a little for the top. Pour in the egg mixture and stir until everything looks evenly coated.
Step 4: Line your air fryer basket with aluminum foil, then place parchment paper on top. Scoop in half of the pasta mixture and spread it out.
Step 5: Add 4 slices of ham in an even layer. If you want an extra cheesy center, add a few slices of cheese from your shredded cheese amount.
Step 6: Scoop the rest of the pasta mixture on top. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
Step 7: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. You want the cheese melted, golden brown, and a little crispy on top. If you want it a touch more golden, add 1 to 2 minutes and keep an eye on it.
Related Recipe: If you love cheesy air fryer recipes, try my pull-apart air fryer garlic bread here too.
Air Fryer Pasta Bake For Quick Lunch Or Dinner
4
servings10
minutes10
minutes800
kcal20
minutesThis air fryer pasta bake is cheesy, cozy, and ready fast, which is basically everything I want on a busy day. The top gets golden and a little crispy, and the middle stays soft and melty… so satisfying.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 pound (500 grams) elbow macaroni or rotini or chickpea pasta
3 pieces eggs
7 to 10 ounces (200 to 300 grams) shredded cheese, like mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack
4 slices ham
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pinch black pepper
Directions
- Boil one pound of elbow macaroni until just tender with a little bite. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well and let it sit for one minute.
- In a separate bowl, crack three eggs and add half a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk until well mixed and foamy.
- Grate seven to ten ounces of mozzarella or cheddar cheese.
- Mix drained pasta, most of the shredded cheese, and the egg mixture in a large bowl until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the air fryer basket with aluminum foil, then place parchment paper on top. Scoop in half of the pasta mixture.
- Add four slices of ham in an even layer. Optionally, add a few slices of cheese on top.
- Scoop the remaining pasta mixture on top, ensuring it covers the ham. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese evenly over the top.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and a little crispy on top.
Equipment
Ninja Air FryerCheck it out on Amazon here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Easy ingredient swaps: Swap the ham for turkey slices or cooked chopped bacon if that is what you have. For the cheese, use melty options like mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or an Italian blend, and feel free to mix two for extra flavor.
- Best pasta shapes to use: Elbows and rotini work great because they hold the egg and cheese and layer easily. If you use a bigger shape like rigatoni, boil it a little more al dente so it does not turn too soft after air frying.
- Storage that keeps it tasty: Let leftovers cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cut it into portions first so you can grab and reheat exactly what you need.
- Reheating without drying out: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until hot, usually 3 to 6 minutes depending on thickness. If the top starts getting too dark, lay a little foil loosely over it for the last minute.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 800kcal
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 97g
- Protein: 44g
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Storage
Let the pasta bake cool for about 20 minutes so it firms up a bit. Then move leftovers to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days.
Reheating tips
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until hot, usually 4 to 7 minutes. If the top is browning too fast, loosely cover with a bit of foil.
Easy swaps
• Use turkey slices instead of 4 slices of ham if that is what you have
• Mix cheeses. Cheddar plus mozzarella is sooo satisfying
• Want it milder. Go with mozzarella or Monterey Jack
More easy air fryer dinner recipes
If you loved this air fryer pasta bake, check out more easy air fryer dinner recipes and cozy pasta recipes on my blog and YouTube channel.
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – Juicy on the inside with perfectly crispy skin, these drumsticks are simple to make and full of flavor, great for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly (Crispiest Crackling Ever!) – This recipe delivers ultra-crispy crackling with tender, flavorful pork belly using the air fryer for foolproof results.
- Easy Air Fryer Tuna Patties (Low Carb & High Protein) – Quick, budget-friendly tuna patties that are crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect for a healthy dinner or meal prep.
And if you make this Air Fryer Pasta Bake, leave a comment with your questions or tell me how it went in the comments below or in the YouTube video comments… I try to reply to as many as I can!