Making homemade Air Fryer Lasagna is easier than you think — and just as delicious! Packed with Italian sausage, three cheeses, and tender noodles, it’s a perfect weeknight meal and a great beginner-friendly air fryer recipe.
Air Fryer Lasagna
My grandparents both come from Sicily, so I was taught to make a mean lasagna. Growing up, being Italian has its perks! I’ve had my fair share of lasagna, and this air fryer lasagna holds its own with all the cheesy, saucy goodness you’d expect — just quicker and easier.
I think everyone loves a great lasagna dish, but traditional recipes can be so time-consuming. That’s why I love air frying lasagna when I don’t have a ton of time to spare in the kitchen. It cooks faster, the top gets perfectly golden and bubbly, and you still get those delicious, hearty layers.
Serve it with some homemade air fryer garlic knots, and you’ll have the perfect weeknight dinner in no time. The trick to getting this lasagna air fryer recipe just right is to keep an eye on it as it cooks — watch that cheese bubble and brown for the ultimate cheesy finish!
If you’re looking for more Air Fryer Pasta Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA, AIR FRYER BAKED SPAGHETTI, AIR FRYER DEVILED EGG PASTA SALAD, and AIR FRYER STUFFED SPINACH PASTA SHELLS!
Why You’ll Love Air Fried Lasagna
- Quick and easy
- Crispy, cheesy top
- Beginner-friendly recipe
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Customizable
- Minimal cleanup
Ingredients Needed to Air Fry Lasagna
This air fryer lasagna comes together with simple ingredients like Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella. Everything’s listed below to get you started!
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as nutritional information, keep scrolling until you reach the bottom, where you will find a printable recipe card.
- Ground Italian Sausage: Adds a savory, meaty flavor and richness to this lasagna air fryer recipe.
- Marinara Sauce: Marinara sauce brings the classic tomato-based flavor to the overall dish. Use your favorite jar or homemade recipe.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds a creamy and slightly tangy texture and helps bind the layers together. In my opinion, ricotta is a must in lasagna recipes.
- Egg: Helps bind the ricotta and keep the filling together.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty kick — because no Italian dish is complete without a sprinkle of parmesan!
- No Boil Lasagna Sheets: These sheets soften perfectly while cooking and save time by skipping the boiling step.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a burst of fresh flavor. I like mixing some into the layers and using it as a garnish on top.
- Mozzarella Cheese: The melty, gooey ingredient that holds all the layers together.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, and pepper are all you need. A little goes a long way!
How to Make Lasagna in the Air Fryer
Learning how to air fry lasagna is super easy! Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a perfectly cooked lasagna with minimal effort.
Step 1: Cook the sausage
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles as it browns. Once there’s no pink left, drain any excess fat, remove from the heat, and stir in the marinara sauce. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the ricotta filling
Mix the ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the lasagna
Spray an 8x8x2.5-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Start with 1/4 of the sauce at the bottom of the dish. Add two sheets of lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit if needed. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then tear two basil leaves and scatter them on top. Add 1/4 of the mozzarella.
Repeat these layers two more times. For the final layer, top with noodles, the remaining sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella.
Step 4: Preheat air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Air fry lasagna
Place the lasagna pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes. Then, cover the dish with foil and air fry for another 20 minutes at 280 degrees F.
Step 6: Rest & serve
Let the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil, then serve and enjoy!
Lasagna Air Fryer Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Lasagna: Skip the meat and load up on sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers.
- Swap out the Protein: Use ground chicken, turkey, or even a vegan meat substitute instead of sausage. Just season well with Italian herbs for flavor.
- Seafood Lasagna: Add cooked shrimp, crab, or a seafood mix. Swap marinara for a creamy white sauce.
- Spinach & Ricotta Lasagna: Mix sautéed spinach into the ricotta filling, and add a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra depth.
- Pesto Lasagna: Replace marinara with basil pesto, and layer with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Low Carb or Gluten Free: Swap noodles for thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant for a keto friendly option, or use gluten free noodles.
Air Frying Lasagna Pro Tips
- No Boil Lasagna Noodles: Not all no-boil noodles are the same. For the best results in the air fryer, try 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: Always start with a layer of sauce to keep the noodles from sticking to the dish. It makes serving much easier!
- Spread Ingredients Evenly: Spread the ricotta and sauce evenly so every bite is packed with the same delicious flavor and texture.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on your lasagna. Check for doneness to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the lasagna sit for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the layers set, making it easier to slice and serve.
- Experiment with Cheese: Mix and match different cheeses for new flavors and textures. Combining mozzarella, parmesan, and others adds extra cheesy goodness.
Air Fried Lasagna FAQs
Yes, but you’ll need to cook them first. Boil the noodles until just tender, then drain and layer as usual.
Yes, you can! Just adjust the cooking time and temperature based on its size and thickness. It’ll take longer than fresh lasagna, so keep an eye on it.
Reheat at 325 degrees F in the air fryer to keep it from burning on top. You can also use the microwave or oven if you prefer.
Yes! Use small oven-safe dishes or ramekins that fit in your air fryer. Just adjust the cooking time since smaller portions cook faster.
Yes, preheating helps ensure even cooking. It only takes a few minutes but makes a big difference.
Pair it with a fresh salad, garlic bread, or garlic knots. Sautéed veggies or roasted asparagus also make great sides.
Absolutely! Assemble the lasagna, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before air frying. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
If you notice the cheese browning too quickly, simply cover the lasagna with foil. This will help prevent burning while still allowing it to cook evenly. Remove the foil when you’re ready for the top to get golden and bubbly.
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
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
Easy 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
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
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.