If I had known air fryer broccoli was going to be so good, I would have made it a long time ago. It’s so easy and it only takes 10-minutes to get that crispy, rich roasted flavor. It’s almost addictive and I have made it a couple of times in the past week. I’m already thinking about when I can make it again.
I have been eyeballing a recipe from Eating Well Magazine for a while. Mainly because it boasts about making homemade ricotta, which I adore. Served simply with broccoli and pasta, I had to give this recipe idea a try. However, instead of roasting the broccoli in the hot oven, I decided to try it in the air fryer.
This dish came together in under 30 minutes and the flavor is amazing! It can accurately be described as: ZIP! POP! BAM!
The broccoli florets are tossed in seasoned olive oil with lemon zest and parmesan cheese, then air fried until they are perfectly tender, with golden brown edges. The air-fried broccoli is served nested on a bed of silky pasta and dolloped with creamy homemade ricotta cheese, sprinkled with more parmesan cheese, red crushed pepper flakes for some warmth and a spritz of lemon juice for an extra burst of flavor.
If this sounds good to you, then let’s make Air Fryer Broccoli With Ricotta and Pasta!
How To Make Air Fryer Broccoli With Ricotta and Pasta
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta per package instructions.
Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Yep, preheat the air fryer! I have read countless articles that suggest preheating an air fryer makes a huge difference when cooking food in it. I now preheat my air fryer. It does make a difference because the inside of the air fryer is already warm and doesn’t have to heat up, making for crispier food. More than likely you don’t have a preheat setting, so just run the air fryer for about three (3) minutes at 400 degrees F prior to adding the broccoli.
Toss the broccoli, with the olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Transfer the broccoli mixture evenly onto the rack or into the air fryer basket. Set to 400 degrees F for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove the broccoli from the air fryer. Toss it in a bowl with the parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and season with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste.
Drain the pasta and divide it among four (4) serving dishes. Divide the broccoli among each dish of pasta.
Serve with dollops of fresh ricotta cheese, freshly grated parmesan cheese, a dash of red pepper flakes, and lemon wedges.
Enjoy this quick and easy vegetarian dish for Meatless Monday or any night of the week!
Creamy smooth homemade ricotta cheese is so versatile and easy to make! It is delicious in pasta, on pizza, and even used in desserts. Once you make it you’ll never buy it!
Air Fryer Broccoli With Ricotta and Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 ounces pasta (I used Angel Hair)
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated + extra for serving
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 2 cups ricotta cheese fresh homemade is always best!
- red crushed pepper flakes to taste (optional)
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta per package instructions.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (see notes).
- Toss the broccoli, with the olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Transfer the broccoli mixture evenly onto the rack or into the air fryer basket. Set to 400 degrees F for about 8 to 10 minutes.
- When the broccoli is done remove it from the air fryer. Toss it in a bowl with the parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and season with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste.
- When the pasta is done, drain and divide it among four (4) serving dishes. Divide the broccoli among each dish of pasta.
- Serve with dollops of fresh ricotta cheese, freshly grated parmesan cheese, a dash of red pepper flakes, and lemon wedges.
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