Ditalini with Air-Fried Vegetables (Print Version)

Tender ditalini combined with crisp air-fried vegetables and a fresh herb dressing for a vibrant, satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz ditalini pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling 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 tbsp olive oil
09 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Dressing & Finish

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat.
02 - In a large bowl, combine zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli. Toss with olive oil, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Place vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until tender and lightly browned.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ditalini until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
05 - In a large bowl, mix the drained pasta with air-fried vegetables. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, add Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Toss thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to moisten.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It rescues forgotten vegetables from the back of your fridge and turns them into something vibrant and craveable.
  • The air fryer does most of the work while you boil pasta, so dinner comes together in under 40 minutes with barely any effort.
  • Every bite has this satisfying mix of tender pasta, caramelized veggie edges, and bright lemon-Parmesan finish that tastes way more intentional than it actually is.
02 -
  • Dont overcrowd the air fryer basket or the vegetables will steam instead of crisp; cook them in two batches if you need to.
  • Save that pasta water before you drain; even a few tablespoons can transform a dry dish into something silky and cohesive.
  • Toss everything while the pasta is still hot so the Parmesan melts a little and clings to every piece.
03 -
  • Pat your vegetables dry after washing so they roast instead of steam, especially the tomatoes and zucchini which hold a lot of moisture.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check the veggies a minute or two early to avoid burning the delicate edges.
  • Finish with a drizzle of your best olive oil right before serving; it adds richness and makes the whole dish taste more luxurious than the effort suggests.
Go Back