Ditalini with Air-Fried Vegetables (Printable)

Tender ditalini pasta blended with crisp air-fried vegetables and a subtle olive oil dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz ditalini pasta
02 - Salt, to season pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small zucchini, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, chopped
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup broccoli florets
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Dressing & Finish

12 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
15 - Zest of ½ lemon
16 - Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air-fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and lightly browned.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ditalini until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
05 - In a large serving bowl, combine the drained pasta with the air-fried vegetables. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, add Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust moisture.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, topped with additional Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It turns random fridge vegetables into a meal that feels intentional and bright, not like a cleanup project.
  • The air fryer gives the vegetables a roasted sweetness and crispy edges in half the time of an oven.
  • Ditalini is small enough to mix perfectly with diced vegetables, so every forkful has a little bit of everything.
  • You can make this with almost any vegetable combination, so it never tastes the same twice.
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the vegetables will steam instead of crisping, and you will lose that roasted flavor.
  • Save some pasta water before draining because it is the secret to making everything come together without adding heavy cream or butter.
  • Toss the pasta with the vegetables while both are still warm so the Parmesan melts and the flavors blend instead of sitting on top.
03 -
  • Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking so the vegetables brown evenly and do not stick to the bottom.
  • Use the best olive oil you have for the final drizzle because that is where you will actually taste it.
  • If your air fryer is small, cook the vegetables in two batches rather than piling them in, or they will steam and turn limp.
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