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Meatball & Pasta Bake

This dump and go pasta bake can feed a crowd and it pairs perfectly with these easy meatballs. Press a button, and they’re done at the same time!

Ingredients

    • Oil for greasing
    • 8 oz. (225 g) cream cheese
    • 16 oz. (450) rotini or other short pasta
    • 1 jar (24 oz./650 mL) marinara sauce
    • 4 cup (1 L) chicken or vegetable broth
    • ½-1 tsp (2–5 mL) red chili flakes (optional)
    • 8 oz. (250 g) mozzarella cheese, grated (2 cups/500 mL)
    • Oil for greasing
    • 1 lb. (450 g) ground beef
    • ½ cup (125 mL) Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup (60 mL) milk
    • ½ oz (15 g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated (¼ cup/60 mL)
    • 1 egg
    • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp (1 mL) black pepper
    • Optional: Hot marinara for serving

Directions

  1. Grease the Small Oven Baking Pan.
  2. Place the cream cheese in the center of the pan. Sprinkle the dry pasta around the cream cheese. Drizzle the marinara and broth over the pasta. Add the chili flakes, if using. Press the pasta down with a scraper to evenly submerge it. Cover the pan with foil.
  3. Set the Deluxe Air Fryer & Oven to SYNC FINISH. Set the Bottom Compartment to HEAT & CRISP. Adjust the temperature to 350°F (175°C) with low fan and the time to 55 minutes.
  4. Set the Top Compartment to BAKE. Adjust the time to 25 minutes. Press START.
  5. Line the Air Fryer Rack with foil and grease it with oil.
  6. Combine the meatball ingredients and shape into 20 meatballs using a Medium Scoop. Place them on the foil.
  7. When display says, “Add Food,” place the meatballs in the Top Compartment and the pasta in the Bottom Compartment. Press START.
  8. Remove the foil from the pasta in the last 10 minutes of cooking. Stir to mix in the cream cheese. Top the pasta with the mozzarella and place back in the Bottom Compartment.
  9. Remove the pasta and meatballs from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with additional marinara, if you’d like.