Description
Get ready for Halloween with this Spooky Spaghetti! Meatballs are transformed into creepy eyeballs using mozzarella and olives, served over a rich marinara sauce with perfectly cooked spaghetti. A fun, festive, and delicious meal for the spooky season.
Ingredients
For the meatball eyeballs:
- 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 pound ground pork (or use all beef/pork if preferred)
- 45 grams plain panko breadcrumbs
- 4 ounces milk (or substitute heavy cream)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt (reduce to 2 tsp if using seasoned breadcrumbs)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely minced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ounces parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 12 ciligene mozzarella balls, halved lengthwise
- 24 slices black olives (to finish the eyeballs)
For the spooky spaghetti:
- 1 pound cooked spaghetti (cook in heavily salted water)
- 2 cups reserved pasta water
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
- Handful of fresh basil (optional)
- 1 parmesan rind (optional, for flavor)
- Parmesan, parsley, and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, panko, milk, salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, eggs, onion, garlic, and parmesan. Mix until just combined.
- Form mixture into small meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
- While meatballs bake, prepare spaghetti according to package instructions and reserve 2 cups pasta water.
- Heat marinara sauce in a saucepan, add pasta water and parmesan rind if using, simmer gently.
- Assemble eyeballs: press a mozzarella half onto each meatball and top with a slice of black olive.
- Serve meatball eyeballs over spaghetti, garnish with parmesan, parsley, and basil.
- Enjoy your spooky Halloween pasta!
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella balls for best results when creating the eyeballs.
- Can adjust the level of spiciness in the marinara to suit your taste.
- Perfect for Halloween parties or fun family dinners!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking & Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American