Posted by Ever thought you could make lasagna in an air fryer? Yes, you absolutely can! Air fryer lasagna offers the same mouth-watering layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and velvety white sauce, all topped with gooey melted mozzarella cheese. The beauty of this method is that it delivers the flavors you love from traditional lasagna but in much less time. If you’re looking for a quick and easy lasagna recipe without sacrificing taste, this is your go-to option.
Why Make Lasagna in the Air Fryer?
There are plenty of reasons to try air fryer lasagna, and once you do, you might never go back to the traditional oven-baked version. Here are just a few benefits:
- Faster Cooking Time: Compared to oven-baked lasagna, the air fryer significantly cuts down the time, delivering dinner faster without compromising on flavor.
- Perfect for Weeknights: It’s comforting, delicious, and feels like a gourmet meal, yet you can make it during a busy weeknight.
- No Need to Heat the Entire Kitchen: Cooking in the air fryer keeps your kitchen cooler, which is especially handy during the warmer months.
The Ingredients for Air Fryer Lasagna
To create a delicious air fryer lasagna, you’ll need three key components: a rich meat sauce, a creamy white sauce, and fresh lasagna noodles. Plus, don’t forget the variety of cheeses that bring everything together in cheesy perfection.
For the Meat Sauce: The meat sauce forms the backbone of the lasagna. Traditional recipes call for ground beef, but feel free to experiment with a blend of ground beef and pork or even Italian sausage for extra flavor. You can also mix in herbs and marinara sauce for added richness. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Ground beef: 1 pound (450g) lean
- Italian seasoning: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Marinara sauce: 1 lb 10 oz (737g) jar
For the White Sauce (Bechamel): A creamy bechamel sauce is essential for balancing out the flavors of the lasagna. This simple white sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, and Parmesan cheese. Here’s how to prepare it:
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- Flour: 2 tbsp
- Whole milk: 2 cups (500ml)
- Mustard powder: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Freshly grated nutmeg: A pinch
- Grated Parmesan cheese: 3 tbsp
For Assembly: Fresh lasagna noodles work best in this recipe as they don’t require pre-cooking, saving you more time. To layer your lasagna, you’ll also need shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Fresh lasagna sheets: About 10 sheets, or as needed
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 1 cup (225g)
- Grated Parmesan cheese: 3 tbsp
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Lasagna
Step 1: Prepare the White Sauce
Begin by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add flour and whisk until it forms a smooth paste, known as a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, then gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens. Season with garlic powder, mustard powder, and salt, and grate a bit of nutmeg into the sauce. Finally, stir in the Parmesan cheese and set the sauce aside to cool and thicken.
Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3 minutes. While the air fryer is heating up, take a small pan that fits inside your air fryer (if you have a removable-handled pan, that works best). Add the olive oil to the pan and heat over medium heat, then add ground beef, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook until the beef is browned, which takes about 4-5 minutes.
Once the beef is browned, add the marinara sauce and stir everything together. Let the sauce cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it begins to bubble.
Step 3: Assemble Your Lasagna
Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or any other dish that fits inside your air fryer basket with a bit of olive oil. Start layering your lasagna by spreading a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Top the meat sauce with lasagna noodles, cutting them to fit as needed.
Next, spread another layer of meat sauce over the noodles, followed by a layer of white sauce. Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella over the white sauce. Repeat these layers until you’ve used all the meat sauce.
For the final layer, use all the remaining white sauce and top it off with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Air Fry the Lasagna
Cover the top of your lasagna with aluminum foil, making sure it’s secured well enough to avoid being blown off by the air fryer’s fan. Set the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook the lasagna for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, carefully remove the foil and lower the air fryer temperature to 160°C (325°F). Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the top doesn’t brown too much.
Step 5: Let it Rest and Serve
Once the lasagna is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool in the basket for about 10 minutes. This resting time will allow the layers to set, making it easier to slice. Serve your air fryer lasagna with a fresh side salad and some garlic bread for a complete meal.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Simply reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes when ready to eat.
Alternatively, freeze portions for up to three months. This makes for a perfect meal prep option when you need a quick dinner on busy nights.
Customizing Your Air Fryer Lasagna
One of the great things about lasagna is its versatility. You can easily modify this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary preferences. Here are a few ideas:
- Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace the ground beef with vegetarian mince or a mix of sautéed vegetables like zucchini and spinach.
- Pesto Twist: Add a layer of pesto between the noodles for an extra burst of flavor.
- Low-Carb Version: Substitute the lasagna noodles with thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant for a lighter version.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Lasagna
- Don’t Overfill: Avoid filling your dish too high to prevent any cheese from sticking to the foil. This will also keep the lasagna from overflowing during cooking.
- Secure the Foil: Make sure the foil is tightly secured or clipped to the dish to avoid it flying off in the air fryer.
- Check on it Frequently: Every air fryer cooks differently. It’s worth checking the lasagna as it cooks to ensure the top isn’t browning too much.
Air Fryer Lasagna
Make delicious, classic lasagna in your air fryer with layers of pasta, meat sauce, creamy white sauce, and melted cheese—all in under an hour!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- For the White Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups (500ml) whole milk
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp mixed Italian herbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 lb 10 oz (737g) jar of marinara sauce
- To Assemble:
- 10 fresh lasagna sheets
- 1 cup (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions:
- Prepare the White Sauce:
- Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add milk, whisking to avoid lumps.
- Add mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and nutmeg.
- Stir in Parmesan and set aside.
- Make the Meat Sauce:
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Heat olive oil in a pan, add ground beef, garlic, herbs, and salt.
- Cook until browned, then add marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Assemble:
- Grease an 8-inch square dish.
- Layer meat sauce, lasagna sheets, white sauce, and cheese.
- Repeat layers and finish with Parmesan and mozzarella on top.
- Cook in the Air Fryer:
- Cover lasagna with foil and cook for 25 minutes at 180°C.
- Remove foil, lower temperature to 160°C, and cook for 5-10 more minutes.
- Serve:
- Let lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving with salad or garlic bread.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 588 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Protein: 29g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
- Sodium: 1089mg
- Fiber: 2g
