1. Prepare the Meat Sauce (if using):
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Mix the Cheese:
- In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, half of the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined.
3. Layer the Lasagna:
- Spoon a small amount of meat sauce into the bottom of your air fryer-safe dish. Place a layer of broken noodles over the sauce.
- Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add a layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and a generous amount of mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
4. Air Fry the Lasagna:
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Cover the lasagna dish with foil. This prevents the top from burning and helps cook the lasagna evenly.
- Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook for about 15-20 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for an additional 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
5. Check for Doneness:
- The lasagna is done when the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the noodles are tender. You can check the noodles by piercing them with a knife to ensure they’re soft all the way through.
6. Serving:
- Let the lasagna sit for a few minutes after cooking to set, making it easier to slice.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving, if desired.
Tips:
- Container Choice: Ensure the dish or pan you use is suitable for air frying. Metal or oven-safe glass or ceramic typically works well.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t overfill your air fryer dish. Keeping enough space for air circulation ensures even cooking.
- Adapting for Vegetarians: For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with layers of grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers.
Air fryer lasagna is a fantastic alternative when you’re short on time or don’t want to heat up your entire kitchen with the oven. It provides a quick, satisfying meal with much less hassle and cleanup.