Ditalini with Air-Fried Vegetables (Print Version)

Tender ditalini combined with crisp air-fried vegetables and a bright olive oil dressing for a quick, flavorful meal.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces ditalini pasta
02 - Salt, as needed for 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 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 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 1/2 lemon
16 - Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
02 - In a large bowl, combine zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper; toss to coat evenly.
03 - Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook 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 ditalini according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
05 - In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with air-fried vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired moisture and mix well.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Your vegetables actually taste like vegetables—crispy, caramelized, nothing boring about them.
  • It comes together in less time than ordering takeout, and you know exactly what's in your bowl.
  • It's flexible enough to use whatever's hiding in your crisper drawer, so it never feels like a repeat meal.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the air fryer basket; vegetables need space around them to crisp up instead of steaming themselves into submission.
  • That reserved pasta water is not optional—it's what transforms this from dry pasta with vegetables on top into something that actually feels cohesive.
03 -
  • Don't rinse the pasta after draining it—that starch coating is what helps the olive oil and cheese cling to every piece.
  • If your vegetables are on the smaller side, they'll cook faster, so keep an eye on them and shake the basket a bit earlier than usual.
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