Air Fryer Lasagna is a genius way to make this classic comfort dish quickly and with minimal mess! The air fryer cooks it beautifully, giving you a crispy top while keeping the layers tender and cheesy. Here’s an easy recipe for a Single-Serve or Mini Lasagna made in the air fryer:
Ingredients:
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (or use plant-based ground for vegetarian)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tbsp tomato sauce (optional, for extra smoothness)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- For the Lasagna Layers:
- 6-8 lasagna noodles (you can use regular or no-boil noodles)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (to mix with ricotta for binding)
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic to the meat, and cook until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce (if using). Add the dried basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well, and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
2. Prepare the Lasagna Noodles:
- If using regular noodles: Cook them according to package instructions, drain, and set aside. If using no-boil noodles, you can skip this step.
- You’ll need to break the noodles to fit the size of your air fryer basket, so make sure you have a plan for layering.
3. Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses together in a bowl. This will be your cheese mixture.
- Lightly grease the bottom of a small air fryer-safe pan or baking dish. You can also use a ramekin or any small oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer.
- Begin layering:
- Start with a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom.
- Add a layer of lasagna noodles (breaking them to fit the shape of your dish).
- Spread a layer of ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Repeat the layers (meat sauce, noodles, ricotta) until the dish is filled.
- Finish with a generous layer of meat sauce and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
4. Air Fry:
- Place the dish in the preheated air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes at 350°F, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- If you prefer a crispier top, you can increase the temperature to 375°F for the last 5 minutes.
Tip: Keep an eye on it as air fryer models vary in cooking time.
5. Let it Set:
- Once the lasagna is done, let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps everything set up so it doesn’t fall apart when you slice into it.
6. Serve:
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a fresh touch.
- Slice and serve your crispy, cheesy air fryer lasagna!
Optional Add-Ins:
- Vegetarian Version: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini between layers.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of heat.
- Creamy Twist: Mix a little cream cheese into the ricotta mixture for extra creaminess.
Air Fryer Tips:
- If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to make the lasagna in smaller portions (or use a mini loaf pan or ramekin).
- You can double the recipe if you have a larger air fryer, just ensure the layers are still manageable.