If you have leftover pasta already seasoned to dispose of after the holidays, the pasta frittata in air fryer is a simple way to turn it into a delicious and flavorful unique dish, maybe to serve in these days between Christmas and New Year, when you have little desire to cook after the feasts of the previous days. Easy, quick, and incredibly tasty, this recipe turns the classic recycling dish into a unique dish crispy outside and soft inside, ready in a few minutes and with very little oil.
The pasta frittata has always been a great classic of anti-waste cooking, traditionally prepared in a pan or, at the limit, in the oven. Cooking it in the air fryer, however, allows you to get a golden and light pasta frittata without sacrificing flavor and reducing fats: a considerable advantage, especially when the pasta is already well seasoned.
In this version, I used egg tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, but the pasta frittata in air fryer lends itself to endless variations: you can use any type of pasta, short or long, and enrich it with your favorite toppings, from cheeses to vegetables, to leftover cured meats. It’s so good and practical that you’ll often find yourself purposely cooking a little extra pasta just to make it like this!
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Anti-waste
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 421.38 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 50.01 (g) of which sugars 0.91 (g)
- Proteins 22.74 (g)
- Fat 14.07 (g) of which saturated 6.04 (g)of which unsaturated 5.61 (g)
- Fibers 2.99 (g)
- Sodium 651.70 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 235 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for a 9-inch diameter pasta frittata
- 23 oz pasta (already cooked and seasoned)
- 6 eggs (medium)
- 1 3/4 oz Parmigiano Reggiano DOP (grated)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
- to taste pepper
Tools
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Hand Whisk
- 1 Cake Pan non-stick, springform, 9 inch diameter
- 1 Oil Sprayer
How to Cook the Leftover Pasta Frittata in the Air Fryer
To prepare the pasta frittata in the air fryer, start by cracking the eggs into a bowl. Regarding the proportions between pasta and eggs, for a soft pasta frittata, calculate about 1 egg for every 3.5-4 oz of already cooked pasta. Season the eggs with a pinch of salt and a grind of pepper (1). Beat them with a hand whisk or a fork for about a minute, then add the grated parmesan (2).
Beat again for a few seconds to mix it well with the eggs (3). Add the pasta (naturally cold) with all its seasoning (4).
Mix well with a spoon, so the egg is well distributed over all the pasta (5). Take a 9-inch springform cake pan – or 8-inch if you prefer a thicker pasta frittata – and spray it with a bit of oil (6). If you don’t have an oil sprayer you can grease it with a brush.
Pour the pasta and distribute it evenly over the entire mold (7). Cook the pasta frittata in the air fryer preheated to 338°F for 20-25 minutes. It’s usually not necessary to flip it halfway because the air fryer ensures even cooking; however, if you want and especially if the frittata is very thick, you can do it. In the last few minutes of cooking, check it often: if the surface is golden and the frittata is compact and not liquid, it’s ready (8).
Remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. You can serve the pasta frittata cooked in the air fryer either hot or at room temperature, as a tasty unique dish.
Storage
The pasta frittata can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days, in an airtight container. You can then heat it briefly in the air fryer or microwave.
Tips and Variations
The pasta frittata in the air fryer is an excellent recipe to clear out the fridge: you can add cubes of cheese or leftover cured meats or even already cooked vegetables that go well with the pasta seasoning.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make the pasta frittata with any type of pasta?
Yes, the pasta frittata in the air fryer can be made with any type of pasta, both short and long. Spaghetti, rigatoni, penne, fusilli, or tagliatelle all work, as long as the pasta is already cooked and well seasoned.
What is the right amount of eggs for the pasta frittata?
The ideal ratio is 1 egg for every 3.5-4 oz of cooked and seasoned pasta. If you also add mozzarella or another binding cheese, you can slightly reduce the number of eggs (e.g., 1 egg for every 4.6 oz of pasta).
Can I freeze the pasta frittata?
Yes, you can freeze it already cooked and completely cooled. When ready to eat, defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to make it crispy again.
Does the pasta frittata in the air fryer come out dry?
No, if the right proportions are respected. Using enough eggs and not overcooking ensures a soft pasta frittata inside and golden outside.
What is the advantage of the air fryer over the pan?
The air fryer allows for more even and lighter cooking, with very little oil and without having to constantly monitor the frittata or flip it halfway through cooking.
