This air fryer baked spaghetti is a comforting, delicious homemade pasta bake. This casserole is similar to spaghetti pie, but offers more layering and a slightly less dense texture. Thanks to your air fryer, though, there’s no need to turn on the oven for this delicious Italian dish.
Baked spaghetti is something like a cross between lasagna and spaghetti pie. Instead of flat noodles, it uses spaghetti to form the pasta layers. Stack it with sauce, cheese, and meats if desired, and you’ve got a tasty casserole!
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover spaghetti, or honestly any other type of pasta as well. It’s just one of those dishes where you can swap in all sorts of things based on what you have on hand and what your family likes!
Best of all, the air fryer really makes baked spaghetti easy. You don’t need to heat up the whole house, you can make smaller portions, and it even takes less time to cook than a conventional oven. What’s not to love?
Ingredients You’ll Need
8 ounces leftover spaghetti (or freshly cooked per package directions)
1 large egg
¼ cup parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp melted butter
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp dried minced onion
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp each salt and pepper
1 cup pasta sauce with meat
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
While this is a recipe for baked spaghetti, you can swap it out for any kind of pasta you want, or even use spaghetti squash as a low carb option
The ricotta cheese can be swapped for cottage cheese or cream cheese if preferred
If you want to keep this vegetarian, swap the meat sauce for a tomato-only pasta sauce
Feel free to add ½ pound of cooked ground beef or Italian sausage if you want more meat than what’s in the sauce, or about a ½ cup of cooked spinach for a vegetarian option
This recipe easily doubles if you want to use the whole package of pasta or need to feed a crowd
Special Equipment Note: You’ll need a pie pan, cake pan, or casserole dish that fits in your air fryer’s basket or rack space for this recipe. I’m using two small casserole dishes since I have a Dual Zone air fryer with two separate cooking compartments. However, most traditional air fryers will be able to use one pan instead.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Spaghetti
If you are using fresh instead of leftover pasta, cook per package directions and drain
In a medium bowl, crack your egg and blend it thoroughly
Add the parmesan cheese, melted butter, and the spaghetti and stir to coat the noodles evenly. I recommend tongs or your hands to make this easier
In another bowl, combine the ricotta, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and mix to combine
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
Into a greased casserole dish or cake pan, layer half the spaghetti, half the ricotta mixture, half the meat sauce, and half the mozzarella. Repeat the layers again, but do not add the second half of the mozzarella to the top
Place the filled dish into the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 15 minutes at 350°F
Add the remaining mozzarella cheese to the top
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes at 350°F, until cheese is melted and begins to brown
Top with a garnish of chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired
What to Serve With Baked Spaghetti
Garlic bread
Pizza rolls
Green salad
Caesar salad
Caprese salad
Panzanella salad
Antipasto platter
Roasted vegetables
Stuffed artichokes
Bruschetta
Fried zucchini
Meatballs
Italian sausage
Chianti wine
Air fryer baked spaghetti is a meal in itself, but there are a lot of great sides or appetizers you can serve alongside this casserole.
Try your pasta bake with my easy recipe for Frozen Garlic Knots in the Air Fryer, crunchy Air Fryer Bruschetta, or these tasty Air Fryer Stuffed Artichokes.
Recipe FAQs
Can You Make Baked Spaghetti in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make baked spaghetti in an air fryer, but only after boiling the pasta on the stove previously. The air fryer is perfect for baked pasta and casseroles which use spaghetti and other pasta.
You can use no-boil noodles instead if available in lieu of pre-cooking.
Can You Cook Spaghetti in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook spaghetti in the air fryer. It needs to be cooked in a pan for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees, and the liquid must cover the noodles.
That said, this method takes longer than the stovetop. In addition, it is much more dangerous to try and drain the hot water, so it is not recommended that you cook your spaghetti in the air fryer if you can avoid it.
Do I Need to Preheat My Air Fryer For Baked Spaghetti?
It is recommended to preheat your air fryer when making baked spaghetti. This will ensure more even cooking.
However, some models of air fryer do not require preheating based on their design, so use your discretion. Alternatively, cook for an extra 2-3 minutes to account for preheat time.
Can I Add Meat to My Baked Spaghetti?
Yes, you can add meat to your baked spaghetti. Brown and cook about ½ pound of ground beef or Italian sausage and layer it into the pasta bake before cooking.
You could also use pepperoni or prosciutto, which do not need to be cooked in advance.
How Do I Prevent the Spaghetti Bake From Sticking?
To prevent the spaghetti bake from sticking, spray your pan with nonstick spray, rub it with butter or oil, or line the pan with parchment paper.
This will allow the spaghetti to release easily, and makes for easier cleanup as well.
Can You Reheat Baked Spaghetti in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can reheat baked spaghetti in an air fryer. Place the portion desired on a piece of foil or parchment and heat for 4-6 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through.
If the cheese begins to brown too much, cover it with foil.
Recipe Expert Tips
Safety Tip: Just like coming out of an oven, the pan is going to be very hot when you remove it from the air fryer. Use oven mitts and/or a spatula to assist in removal to avoid burns
If you’re using leftover spaghetti, I recommend bringing it to room temperature first, as that will make it easier to work with
This air fryer baked spaghetti is a comforting casserole made quicker and easier than in a conventional oven. You don’t have to heat up the whole house to enjoy this Italian inspired comfort food.
While this recipe is supposed to be made with spaghetti, you can swap in anything you have on hand and enjoy it as a pasta bake. Everything is easily adjustable based on taste and what you have on hand.
I love that this is a dinner you can have on the table in under 30 minutes, making it perfect even on busy weeknights. I pair it with a side salad and some garlic knots for a complete meal that everyone loves!
This air fryer baked spaghetti casserole is filled with pasta, cheese, sauce, and seasonings for a warm, comforting bite. It’s ready in under 30 minutes for an easy dinner!
8Ouncesleftover spaghetti(or freshly cooked per package directions)
1Largeegg
¼Cupparmesan cheese(grated)
3Tbspbutter(melted)
1Cupricotta cheese
1Clovegarlic(minced)
1Tbspdried minced onion
1Tbsp Italian seasoning
½Tspsalt
½Tsp black pepper
1Cuppasta sauce with meat
½Cupmozzarella cheese(shredded)
Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish(optional)
Instructions
If you are using fresh instead of leftover pasta, cook per package directions and drain
8 Ounces leftover spaghetti
In a medium bowl, crack your 1 Large egg and blend it thoroughly
1 Large egg
Add the ¼ Cup parmesan cheese, melted butter, and the spaghetti and stir to coat the noodles evenly. I recommend tongs or your hands to make this easier
¼ Cup parmesan cheese, 3 Tbsp butter
In another bowl, combine the 1 Cup ricotta cheese, 1 Clove garlic, 1 Tbsp dried minced onion, 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning, ½ Tsp salt, and ½ Tsp black pepper and mix to combine
1 Cup ricotta cheese, 1 Clove garlic, 1 Tbsp dried minced onion, 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning, ½ Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
Into a greased casserole dish or cake pan, layer half the spaghetti, half the ricotta mixture, half the 1 Cup pasta sauce with meat, and half the mozzarella. Repeat the layers again, but do not add the second half of the mozzarella to the top
1 Cup pasta sauce with meat, ½ Cup mozzarella cheese
Place the filled dish into the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 15 minutes at 350°F
Add the remaining mozzarella cheese to the top
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes at 350°F, until cheese is melted and begins to brown
Top with a garnish of chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired
Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Notes
While this is a recipe for baked spaghetti, you can swap it out for any kind of pasta you want, or even use spaghetti squash as a low carb option
The ricotta cheese can be swapped for cottage cheese or cream cheese if preferred
If you want to keep this vegetarian, swap the meat sauce for a tomato-only pasta sauce
Feel free to add ½ pound of cooked ground beef or Italian sausage if you want more meat than what’s in the sauce, or about a ½ cup of cooked spinach for a vegetarian option
This recipe easily doubles if you want to use the whole package of pasta or need to feed a crowd
Safety Tip: Just like coming out of an oven, the pan is going to be very hot when you remove it from the air fryer. Use oven mitts and/or a spatula to assist in removal to avoid burns
If you’re using leftover spaghetti, I recommend bringing it to room temperature first, as that will make it easier to work with
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
