Air Fryer No-Boil Baked Pasta

A Delectable Pasta Dish with Mushrooms, Capsicum, and Mozzarella Cheese

If you’re craving a delicious, comforting pasta dish that’s quick, easy, and full of flavor, this recipe is the perfect choice. It’s a fusion of rich tomato sauce, sautéed garlic, earthy mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese. All these ingredients are combined in a one-pan meal that’s baked to perfection in an air fryer, making it an incredibly convenient dish for busy weeknights.

The key to this recipe’s appeal lies in the ingredients. By combining simple yet flavorful elements such as garlic, chili flakes, oregano seasoning, and a hearty pasta sauce, you’ll create a dish that’s bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. The addition of mozzarella cheese provides the dish with a creamy and satisfying texture, while the basil leaves add a fresh herbal finish. This dish is not only flavorful but also incredibly easy to prepare.

Cooking pasta in the air fryer has become an increasingly popular method because of its speed and ease. Unlike traditional stovetop cooking, you can simply combine all the ingredients, wrap the pan, and bake it in the air fryer. The result is a perfectly cooked, one-pan meal with minimal cleanup required.

A One-Pan Meal

This pasta recipe incorporates simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. The richness of the red pasta sauce combines with the savory mushrooms and bell peppers, creating a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy. The process of baking the pasta, mixed with sauce and vegetables, ensures that the noodles absorb all the flavors, resulting in a well-rounded, satisfying dish.

This recipe is especially ideal for those looking for a convenient yet delicious meal that requires little effort. You can prepare it ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator, and easily reheat it later—perfect for meal prep.

Moreover, with the use of fresh herbs like basil, the dish not only tastes amazing but is also visually stunning, thanks to the vibrant colors of the vegetables and the fresh green basil sprinkled on top. This is a pasta dish that is sure to impress family and friends, and the best part is that you don’t need to be a professional chef to make it!

 Ingredients for This Dish

To create this wonderful air-fried pasta dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Pasta and Vegetables:

• ½ tablespoon melted butter – Butter provides a rich, creamy base and helps enhance the flavor of the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon oil – Olive oil or any neutral oil works well for sautéing the vegetables.
• 2 teaspoons chili flakes – Adds a slight spicy kick to the dish, balancing out the sweetness of the sauce.
• 1 teaspoon oregano seasoning – Oregano brings an herby, slightly bitter note that complements the richness of the sauce.
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped – Garlic is a key ingredient that adds depth and fragrance to the sauce.
• 1 capsicum (bell pepper), cut into 2-inch sticks – Adds sweetness and crunch to the dish.
• 150 grams mushrooms, quartered – Mushrooms lend an earthy, savory flavor that blends perfectly with the sauce.
• 150 grams uncooked fusilli pasta – Fusilli’s spiral shape is perfect for holding the sauce and moisture.
• 300 grams red pasta sauce – A classic tomato-based sauce provides the base of this dish’s rich, savory flavor.
• 250 grams water – Helps cook the pasta and ensures everything stays moist as it bakes.
• ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese – Cheese provides the ultimate creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• 2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves – Fresh basil adds a refreshing, aromatic garnish to the final dish.
• 1 teaspoon salt – Enhances the overall flavor.
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – Adds a bit of spice and complements the other seasonings.
• 1 teaspoon sugar – Balances out the acidity of the tomatoes in the pasta sauce.

Optional Ingredients and Notes:

• Optional: Cling film or aluminum foil for storing and covering the dish before baking.
• Optional: Fresh basil for garnish just before serving.

The Method for Making the Perfect Pasta Dish in the Air Fryer

This recipe’s beauty lies in its simplicity. There’s no need for complicated techniques, and the entire dish can be made in a single pan. Here’s how you can prepare and cook this delicious pasta meal.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start by melting butter in a pan or dish that is air fryer-friendly. Once melted, add the oil and chili flakes for a bit of heat. Stir these ingredients together before adding the oregano seasoning and garlic. Mince the garlic finely to allow the flavors to infuse the oil and butter. When the garlic becomes fragrant, toss in the capsicum (bell pepper) and mushrooms. These vegetables will soften and release their moisture as they cook, adding flavor to the pasta.

Step 2: Mix in the Pasta and Sauce

Add the uncooked fusilli pasta into the pan along with the sautéed vegetables and garlic. Pour in the red pasta sauce and water, ensuring that the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Stir everything to mix, making sure the pasta is well coated with the sauce. This is crucial because the pasta will cook directly in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors as it bakes.

Step 3: Cover the Dish

To keep the moisture in and ensure the pasta cooks evenly, cover the pan with aluminum foil. Be sure to secure the foil tightly, covering both the top and the base of the pan to prevent it from coming off in the air fryer. This will help the pasta cook perfectly without drying out.

Step 4: Air Fry the Dish

Place the covered pan in the air fryer and bake at 180°C (356°F) for approximately 45 minutes. During this time, the pasta will cook and absorb the tomato sauce’s flavors. After 45 minutes, remove the pan from the air fryer and uncover the foil. Stir the pasta to check its moisture level. If it feels too dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water, mixing it in well. If the pasta is still well-moisturized, you can skip this step.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Fresh Basil

Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then add the chopped basil leaves. These fresh herbs will not only enhance the flavor but also add a vibrant, green touch to the dish. Place the pan back in the air fryer and increase the temperature to 200°C (392°F) for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the cheese has melted and turned slightly golden brown, remove the pan from the air fryer. Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with more fresh basil if desired. This dish is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or even a casual gathering. It pairs wonderfully with a light salad or crusty bread.

 Recipe for Air Fryer Pasta with Mushrooms and Mozzarella

Ingredients:

• ½ tablespoon melted butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 teaspoons chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon oregano seasoning
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 capsicum (bell pepper), cut into 2-inch sticks
• 150 grams mushrooms, quartered
• 150 grams uncooked fusilli pasta
• 300 grams red pasta sauce
• 250 grams water
• ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce: Combine butter, oil, chili flakes, oregano, garlic, capsicum, mushrooms, and uncooked pasta in a baking dish.
2. Add Sauce: Pour in red pasta sauce and water, ensuring the pasta is submerged. Mix well.
3. Cover & Bake: Wrap the pan with foil and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 45 minutes.
4. Check Moisture: After baking, stir the pasta. If it’s dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water.
5. Add Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and basil on top. Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted.
6. Serve: Garnish with additional basil if desired. Serve warm.

Enjoy your easy, cheesy, and flavorful pasta!