
This air fryer tuna pasta bake is a quick, budget-friendly dinner with a rich tomato sauce, tender pasta, and a golden mozzarella topping. It is easy enough for weeknights but still feels warm, hearty, and satisfying.
Preheat the air fryer to 190C. Put the olive oil, chopped onion, and garlic in a heatproof baking dish that fits inside your air fryer basket. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring once, until the onion starts to soften.
Add the chopped tomatoes, chilli flakes if using, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir well, then air fry for 5 minutes more until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
Lower the temperature to 170C. Stir the cooked pasta, drained tuna, most of the mozzarella, and the chopped parsley into the tomato sauce until evenly combined.
Scatter the remaining mozzarella over the top. Air fry for 5 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden, then loosely cover the dish with foil and cook for another 5 minutes until hot and bubbling throughout.
Let the pasta bake stand for 2 minutes before serving. Spoon into bowls and serve warm, with a simple green salad on the side if you like.
Use penne, fusilli, or rigatoni for the best texture. If you prefer less heat, leave out the chilli flakes. Make sure the pasta is just cooked before mixing it into the sauce so it does not turn soft in the air fryer. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated until piping hot.