Indulge in a comforting classic with a modern twist: Air Fryer Lasagna! Made with Italian sausage, 3 types of cheeses, and tender lasagna noodles, it’s hearty, comforting, and totally delicious! This easy air recipe is perfect for busy weeknights — plus it’s one of the best air fryer beginner recipes.
Lasagna Air Fryer Recipe
If you’ve ever wondered if you can make lasagna in the air fryer, the answer is a resounding yes!
This air fryer lasagna recipe is fabulous. My grandparents both come from Sicily, so I was taught to make a mean lasagna. Growing up, being Italian has its perks!
I think everyone loves a great lasagna dish, but traditional recipes can be so time-consuming. That’s why I love using my air fryer when I don’t have a ton of time to spare in the kitchen!
Serve with a homemade air fryer garlic knot and you’ll have the perfect weeknight dinner done in minutes. The trick to getting this lasagna air fryer recipe just right is to pay attention as it cooks. Watch as that cheese bubbles to make sure nothing burns.
Air fried lasagna offers the best of both worlds: the classic flavors and layers of traditional lasagna with the added bonus of a crispy top layer and reduced cooking time. Whether you’re a lasagna lover or just looking for a convenient way to enjoy this Italian favorite, this is a must-try dish!
If you’re looking for even more Air Fryer Easy Dinner Recipes, some of my favorites include AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS WITH A HOMEMADE DRY RUB, AIR FRYER CHICKEN CORDON BLEU, AIR FRYER STARBUCKS COPYCAT PROTEIN BOXES, and AIR FRYER BROCCOLI AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN!
Why You’ll Love Air Fried Lasagna
- Tasty and crispy, golden-brown top layer
- Cooks up a lot more quickly than in the oven
- Perfectly cooked in the air fryer every time
- No excess oil
- Customizable
- Less cleanup
- Family-friendly
Ingredients Needed to Air Fry Lasagna
You’ll recognize all of the ingredients you need to air fry lasagna! Nothing too fancy here.
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as the nutritional information, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.
- Ground Italian Sausage: Adds savory flavor and protein to the lasagna.
- Marinara Sauce: Marinara sauce brings the classic tomato-based flavor to the overall dish. Use your favorite tomato purée or tomato sauce.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds a creamy and slightly tangy texture to the layers. Ricotta is a must in traditional lasagna recipes, so I had to include it here!
- Eggs: Acts as a binder for the ricotta layers.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty kick to the dish. In my book, you can’t have an Italian recipe without a healthy helping of parm!
- No-Boil Lasagna Noodles Lasagna Sheets: Lasagna sheets are a must for this lasagna air fryer recipe — I like the no boil ones as they take out an extra step!
- Fresh Basil: I like to add a bit of fresh basil directly in the lasagna as well as a garnish on top.
- Mozzarella Cheese: The melty, gooey element that holds all of those layers together.
- Seasonings: All you need are garlic powder, salt, and pepper. A little goes a long way here!
How to Make Lasagna in Air Fryer
Making homemade lasagna in an air fryer is such a convenient and delicious way to enjoy this classic Italian dish. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Cook the sausage
In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage and break it up, cooking into crumbles. Once no pink is left, drain any excess fat off the sausage, take it off the heat, stir in the marinara sauce, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the cheese filling
Mix the ricotta, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the lasagna
Spray an 8x8x2.5-inch baking dish or small baking pan with cooking spray.
Add 1/4 of the sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Top with two sheets of lasagna noodles — break them up to fit if needed. Add 1/3 of the ricotta mixture and smooth it out over the noodles. Tear two of the basil leaves and add them on top. Add 1/4 of the mozzarella on top of the basil. Repeat twice until you have a top layer of noodles, followed by the remaining sauce. Add the remaining mozzarella.
Step 4: Air fry
Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Add the lasagna pan to the air fryer basket, and set cook time for 25-30 minutes. Cover the dish with foil and air fry the lasagna for another 20 minutes at 280 degrees F.
Let stand for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with more parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
Air Fryer Lasagna Variations
- Vegetarian Lasagna: Skip the meat and make a delicious vegetarian lasagna using layers of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers. You can also add extra cheese.
- Chicken or Turkey Lasagna: Substitute ground sausage with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option. Season the poultry with Italian herbs and spices for flavor.
- Seafood Lasagna: Create a seafood-inspired lasagna using layers of cooked shrimp, crab, or a combination of seafood. Pair it with a creamy white sauce instead of marinara for a unique twist.
- Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna: Make a classic spinach and ricotta lasagna by layering sautéed spinach with the ricotta cheese mixture, and maybe some creamy Parmesan white sauce. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra depth of flavor.
- Pesto Lasagna: Instead of traditional marinara sauce, use basil pesto! Layer it with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Mexican-Inspired Lasagna: Create a Mexican-style lasagna using corn tortillas instead of lasagna noodles. Layer them with seasoned ground beef, black beans, salsa, and shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Gluten-Free Lasagna: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure all your ingredients are gluten-free for a GF lasagna option.
- Vegan Lasagna: Substitute dairy products with plant-based alternatives for a vegan version. Use tofu or cashew-based ricotta, dairy-free mozzarella, and a vegan meat substitute or extra vegetables.
- Layered Pasta: Instead of traditional lasagna noodles, experiment with different pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle for a unique texture.
- Customized Seasonings: Adjust the seasonings and herbs to your taste. Add fresh basil, thyme, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Individual Servings: Make single-serving lasagnas in ramekins or small oven-safe dishes for a personalized touch.
- Low-Carb or Keto Lasagna: Substitute lasagna noodles with thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant for a low-carb or keto-friendly version. See my recipe for mini zucchini lasagna!
- Four-Cheese Lasagna: Add a variety of cheeses like provolone, fontina, or gouda in addition to the traditional ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for an indulgent cheesy lasagna.
Air Fry Lasagna Pro Tips
- No Boil Lasagna Noodles: While they all look the same, the ones that are going to work the best in the air fryer are: Trader Joe’s No-Boil Lasagna Noodles, Ronzoni Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles, Gluten-Free, No-Boil Lasagna Noodles, or Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagna Pasta
- Layer Properly: Start with a layer of sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking to the dish. This ensures easy serving!
- Oil the Dish: Lightly grease the dish or pan with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Evenly Spread Ingredients: When layering ingredients like the ricotta cheese or sauce, distribute them evenly to ensure each bite has a consistent flavor and texture.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the lasagna as it cooks in the air fryer. Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer model, so check for doneness regularly to avoid overcooking.
- Use Foil: Cover the lasagna dish with aluminum foil during the second part of cooking to prevent excessive browning. You can remove the foil during the last few minutes for a super crispy top layer.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the lasagna to rest for a few minutes after air frying. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to slice and serve.
- Experiment with Cheese: Mix and match different types of cheese for varied flavors and textures. Combining mozzarella, Parmesan, and other cheeses can elevate the dish.
- Reheat Carefully: If reheating leftover air fryer lasagna, do so at a lower temperature to prevent the top layer from burning. Alternatively, use a microwave or oven.
Lasagna Air Fryer Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles in the air fryer. However, since they require less cooking time, you may want to adjust the cooking time accordingly and check for doneness regularly.
Absolutely! You can make a vegetarian lasagna by substituting meat with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers. Layer them with ricotta cheese, marinara sauce, and cheese.
You can air fry frozen lasagna, but it’s essential to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on the thickness and size of the frozen lasagna. Keep in mind it may take longer to cook than fresh lasagna.
To reheat leftovers, it’s best to do so at a lower temperature (around 325°F) to prevent the top layer from burning. You can reheat the air fryer, or even the microwave, or a conventional oven.
Yes, you can make individual servings of lasagna in small oven-safe dishes or ramekins that fit inside the air fryer. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the individual portions.
The lasagna is done when the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown and the layers are heated through. You can insert a toothpick or knife into the center to ensure the noodles are cooked and tender.
This dish pairs well with side dishes like salad, garlic bread, or knots. A side of sautéed vegetables or roasted asparagus can also complement the dish.
Storage
Let the lasagna cool to room temperature, then place any leftovers into an airtight container or wrap the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap. The leftovers will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
More Italian-Inspired Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER PULL-APART PEPPERONI PIZZA
- AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD
- AIR FRYER ITALIAN MEATBALLS
- AIR FRYER GARLIC KNOTS
- AIR FRYER ITALIAN SAUSAGE
- AIR FRYER ITALIAN BEEF STROMBOLI
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Air Fryer Lasagna
Description
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 sheets No-Boil Lasagna Noodles, lasagna sheets
- 6 basil leaves, fresh
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, brown the sausages, break it up with cooking into crumbles. Once there is no pink left, drain any excess fat off the sausage, take it off the heat and stir in the marina sauce, set aside.
- Mix the ricotta, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
- Spray an 8x8x2.5 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- To assemble: add 1/4 of the sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Top with two sheets of lasagna noodles; you will need to break them up to fit. Add 1/3 of the ricotta mixture on top, smooth it out over the noodles. Tear two of the basil leaves and add them on top. Add 1/4th of the mozzarella on top of the basil. Repeat two more times until you have a top layer of noodles, followed by the remaining sauce. Add the remaining mozzarella.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F, air fryer setting for 5 minutes.
- Add the lasagna and air fryer for 30 minutes, then cover the dish with foil and air fry for another 20 minutes at 280 degrees F, air fryer setting.
- Let stand about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with more parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Baking Pan
- Cooking Spray
- Aluminum Foil, optional
Nutrition
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Jeanie
This could have been a 5 except the top layer (cheese) was already too dark in the first air fry cycle. Either the time needs to be adjusted or the foil should go on for the first 30 minutes and off for the last 20. Or…the rack and pan should be placed at the bake position, not air fry. (I have an Omni air fryer oven). When I scraped off the top, the rest was good.
I discovered I had already saved the identical recipe from a different site. Same ingredients, identical instructions and photo! Obviously, one of them wasn’t an original.