Name: Air Fryer Pasta Bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp garlic butter (plus more for greasing, you can use regular butter); 200 g brown rice fusilli pasta (or 2 cups); kosher salt; 300 g fresh mozzarella in brine (grated); ¼ cup mayo; ½ tsp Italian seasoning; ¼ tsp nutmeg ((optional)); ½ cup marinara; fresh basil (for garnish (optional))

Everyone loves a cheesy, pasta casserole! The air fryer gets your pasta bake cooked in a jiffy not only because the appliance is designed for that but also because it’s baked in a springform bundt pan. The pan allows for the heat to distribute throughout more of the pasta more thoroughly. You get crisp delicious cheese and warm comfort food baked in 15 min!

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The Ingredients

All you need is your favourite fusilli pasta, mozzarella, and a few pantry seasonings. I used gluten-free brown rice pasta. On its own, I find that brown rice pasta is good once it’s freshly cooked but not great for leftovers. When mixed with all these delicious ingredients it becomes just as delicious reheated the next day.. that is if you have leftovers. I used traditional Italian mozzarella in brine. This has a lighter less salty taste but you should feel free to use grated mozzarella.

garlic butter
brown rice fusilli pasta
kosher salt
fresh mozzarella in brine
mayo
nutmeg
Italian seasoning
warm marinara for serving
fresh basil for garnish

Cooking the Pasta

Use the garlic butter to grease the bundt pan. Set aside. Cook your pasta in well-seasoned salt water according to the package directions. If you’re using gluten-free brown rice pasta, it really benefits from coming to a rolling boil before you put it in and then stirring it constantly making sure it doesn’t get clumpy. Drain and set aside.

Mixing Everything Together

While the pasta cooks, begin shredding your mozzarella. Set aside one cup and put the rest of the cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir in mayo, dijon, nutmeg, Italian seasoning. Stir in the freshly cooked and drained pasta. Add the garlic butter and mix everything together. Preheat the air fryer.

Baking the Pasta

Put the pasta mixture in the bundt pan and top with remaining cheese. Place in the air fryer and cook until the center feels firm, about 15 min. Meanwhile, warm up your favourite marinara sauce. Place in a small bowl.

When pasta is finished baking, place it on a baking rack to cool slightly before removing it from the springform pan. Remove it. Place it on a cutting board and serve with marinara in the middle of the bundt pasta bake, cut into slices, top with sauce, and enjoy!