Ditalini with Air-Fried Vegetables (Printable Version)

Tender ditalini pasta blends with air-fried vegetables, fresh herbs, and a light olive oil dressing for a flavorful meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz ditalini pasta
02 - Salt, 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 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, to taste (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Place vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket and 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 according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking water.
05 - In a large bowl, combine drained pasta with air-fried vegetables. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, add Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh herbs; toss well. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm, sprinkled with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns random fridge vegetables into something that tastes intentional and vibrant.
  • The air fryer does all the work while you boil pasta, so theres no juggling multiple pans.
  • Its endlessly adaptable—swap in whatever vegetables you have and itll still be delicious.
  • The lemon zest and fresh herbs make it taste bright and restaurant-worthy without any fuss.
02 -
  • Dont skip shaking the air fryer basket halfway through—it prevents the vegetables from steaming instead of roasting.
  • Reserve that pasta water before draining; it helps the dressing cling to the pasta and vegetables instead of pooling at the bottom.
  • Use fresh Parmesan and grate it yourself—the pre-shredded kind doesnt melt the same way and can taste dusty.
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables roughly the same size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
  • If your air fryer is small, roast the vegetables in two batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure they get crispy.
  • Toss the pasta with the vegetables while both are still warm—it helps the flavors meld and the Parmesan melt into every bite.
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