Low-Calorie Air Fryer Pasta Bake: the quick solution for a delicious yet low-calorie meal that both kids and adults will love! We replace heavy cream with cream cheese and bake our soufflé in the air fryer for the perfect result!
Pasta Bake has always been one of everyone’s favorite choices. However, due to the high fat content in heavy cream, cheese, and cured meats, it has become a “forbidden” option. In this Low-Calorie air fryer pasta bake recipe, we substitute heavy cream with low-fat cream cheese to enjoy it without guilt! And the best part, we bake the pasta in our air fryer, reducing the cooking time to just 25 minutes!
Here are some tips to help you achieve the best result:
Can I cook pasta in the air fryer?
Yes, for baking, not for boiling!
Air fryers operate similarly to traditional ovens, relying on the rapid and powerful circulation of hot air. Just as we wouldn’t use our oven with a pot to boil pasta, we don’t use the air fryer for boiling either. Even if we assume it could be done, the required time and result wouldn’t be worth it.
However, we can bake or gratinate pasta much faster, achieving the same or even better results. Depending on the recipe, the pasta should be either pre-cooked, as in the case of the low-calorie pasta bake in the air fryer, or use pasta that doesn’t require preparation, such as lasagna.
How do I cook pasta bake in the air fryer?
All you have to do is to simply place the dish in the air fryer without covering it with aluminum foil, as perhaps you would in the oven. The required cooking time is only 20 minutes, and thanks to the circular movement of the air, the soufflé cooks uniformly without drying out on top and remaining moist inside.
However, as the power of air fryers varies depending on the model and brand, caution is needed. The first time you make the recipe, check the food regularly. If you see that it’s ready on top but still moist inside, cover it with aluminum foil until the cooking is complete. Be careful to press the aluminum foil well on the dish to prevent it from being lifted by the strong air.
To check the moisture inside your pasta bake, you can use a knife. Place the knife’s tip into the pasta and remove it. If the knife has enough moisture, it means it needs more baking.
Can I substitute the ingredients in the recipe?
Of course! You can put whatever ingredients you have in your fridge into your pasta bake and let your imagination create! For an even lighter version of the recipe, you can use turkey bacon instead of sausage. If you want to enjoy it in its classic version with heavy cream, you can follow the same method. However, since the consistency of heavy cream is different than cream cheese, the baking time may vary. In this case, you can check the moisture with the knife method and adjust the time accordingly.
Description
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Instructions
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Fill a large saucepan with water, add salt, put the lid on and bring to the boil over a high heat.
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Add the pasta and cook al dente according to the instructions mentioned in the package.
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While you wait for the pasta to get ready, cube the mushrooms, the bell peppers and the sausages.
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Preheat your air fryer to 180C.
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Incorporate the cream and milk cheese mix in the pasta, add salt and pepper and the cubed ingredients and mix them together using a spoon.
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Place the tray in the air fryer and cook for approximately 25'.
Note
- I used fusilli pasta but the result will be the same with any kind of short pasta.
- Chicken sausages can be substituted with turkey bacon or the cured meat of your choice.
Cooking times may vary depending on the type and the brand of your air fryer machine.