Air Fryer Pizza Casserole
Air Fryer Pizza Casserole is my go-to when I want all the flavors of pizza night in a hearty pasta dish without heating up my oven. The ground beef and marinara create a rich meat sauce that coats every piece of penne. Melted mozzarella and crispy pepperoni on top bring all those classic pizza flavors, while the air fryer makes everything bubbly and golden in minutes. It's perfect for weeknight dinners, game day gatherings, and potlucks because it comes together quickly and is kid-friendly and budget-friendly. It keeps in the fridge for about 3 days and reheats beautifully.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 1 small green bell pepper diced
- ½ cup beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- ¾ pound penne pasta
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella shredded
- 25 slices pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onions, cooking for about 4 minutes. Stir in the diced bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, ½ cup yellow onion, 1 small green bell pepper
- Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, then add the marinara sauce and stir well. Let the sauce simmer, partially covered, while you cook the pasta.½ cup beef broth, 3 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 32 ounces marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Boil the penne pasta for 1 minute less than the al dente time listed on the package. Drain and set aside.¾ pound penne pasta
- Reduce the heat on the sauce to low, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked pasta and mix everything together.¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and top with pepperoni slices.2 ½ cups mozzarella, 25 slices pepperoni
- Bake in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C), uncovered, for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Here are my top tips for getting the best results:
- Drain the beef well: Removing excess grease after browning prevents the casserole from becoming too oily and helps the sauce stay thick and cling to the pasta.
- Scrape those browned bits: When you add the beef broth, use your spoon to scrape up all the caramelized bits stuck to the pan, because that's where much of the flavor lives.
- Don't skip the simmer: Letting the marinara sauce simmer while the pasta cooks gives the flavors time to meld together and creates a richer, more developed taste.
- Undercook your pasta: Boil the penne for 1 minute less than the package directions so it doesn't turn mushy when it finishes cooking in the air fryer with all that sauce.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings: Customize it for the whole family by adding black olives, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, or any of your family's favorite toppings alongside the pepperoni to make this easy dinner idea perfect for homemade pizza night, and serve with a side salad for a complete meal in a snap.
- Flash-freeze portions: Freeze individual servings on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to containers so they don't stick together, and you can grab just one portion whenever you want.
Nutrition
Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 27gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 1023mgPotassium: 704mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 819IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 268mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!