Ditalini with Air-Fried Vegetables (Print)

Tender ditalini tossed with crisp air-fried vegetables and a fresh olive oil herb dressing.

# Ingredients:

→ 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 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to reach temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, toss diced zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli florets with olive oil, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Spread the seasoned vegetables in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Air fry 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 rolling boil. Add ditalini and cook until al dente following package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving half a cup of pasta water.
05 - In a large bowl, mix the drained pasta with the air-fried vegetables. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, stir in grated Parmesan, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Toss thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to moisten.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm with additional Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything finishes in under 35 minutes, so you can get dinner on the table without the usual evening scramble.
  • The air fryer does something magical to vegetables—they get golden and caramelized while staying tender, which makes even broccoli taste exciting.
  • Built-in flexibility means you're never locked into specific vegetables; use whatever needs eating before it wilts.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through air frying—this single step makes the difference between unevenly cooked and perfectly caramelized vegetables.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining; that starchy liquid is your secret weapon for turning a dry dish into something silky that coats every piece.
  • Add the fresh herbs and lemon zest at the very end, after everything is combined—they lose their brightness if they sit too long in the warm pasta.
03 -
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—vegetables need space to breathe and brown, so work in batches if your air fryer is small, or invest in a larger one if you make this regularly.
  • The lemon zest is non-negotiable; it brightens everything and makes the dish taste finished and intentional rather than like something you threw together in a hurry.
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