A pasta bake is pure comfort, and it lightens up easily — wholewheat pasta for fibre, a tomato (not creamy) sauce, plenty of veg, and just a sprinkle of cheese. The air fryer crisps the top in one dish. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make a low-fat pasta bake in an air fryer?
A: Mix cooked wholewheat pasta with veg and tomato sauce in a dish, top lightly with cheese, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for about 15 minutes.
Q: How do you keep it low-fat?
A: Tomato sauce instead of creamy, plenty of veg, and just a little cheese.
The method
Cook wholewheat pasta until just done, and stir through a tomato sauce loaded with roasted or softened vegetables. Tip into a dish, top with a light sprinkle of cheese rather than a thick blanket, and air fry until bubbling and golden on top. Wholewheat pasta adds fibre and keeps you fuller.
The recipe
Low-Fat Air Fryer Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 300g wholewheat pasta, cooked
- 400g passata, garlic, herbs
- Courgette, pepper, onion
- 50g cheese (a light sprinkle)
Method
- Soften the veg; mix with passata.
- Stir through the cooked pasta.
- Tip into a dish; sprinkle with cheese.
- Air fry at 180°C for about 15 minutes.
Tips
- Wholewheat pasta adds fibre.
- Tomato sauce, not creamy, keeps it light.
- A sprinkle of cheese rather than a thick layer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a low-fat pasta bake in an air fryer?
Mix cooked wholewheat pasta with vegetables and a tomato sauce in a dish, top with a light sprinkle of cheese, and air fry at 180°C for about 15 minutes until bubbling.
How do you keep a pasta bake low-fat?
Use a tomato-based rather than creamy sauce, load it with vegetables, choose wholewheat pasta for fibre, and add just a little cheese on top.
Is this medical advice?
No. These are general lower-fat ideas. A fatty liver should be managed with your GP or dietitian, alongside guidance from the NHS and the British Liver Trust.