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Eyeball Pasta for Halloween

This dish features spaghetti tossed in a blood-red marinara sauce, topped with seasoned meatballs that resemble creepy eyeballs. Decorated with googly eyes or mozzarella balls, the final presentation is both playful and spooky, combining tender pasta, juicy meatballs, and vibrant sauce for a fun, thematic meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or ground meat of choice
  • 1 cup breadcrumb crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups marinara sauce blood-red color preferred
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella optional, for topping
  • 12 small mozzarella balls or googly eyes for eyeball effect

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Cooking spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Small bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
  3. Form the seasoned mixture into 12 small meatballs, about one inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until they are browned and cooked through. They should feel firm and juicy when gently pressed.
  5. While the meatballs bake, heat marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat until it starts to simmer and bubble gently. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
  6. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce, tossing gently to coat all the noodles evenly with the rich, red sauce. Let it cook for a couple of minutes, until heated through and slightly thickened.
  7. Once the meatballs are out of the oven, carefully add them to the skillet with the spaghetti and sauce. Mix lightly to incorporate the meatballs with the sauce and pasta.
  8. Serve the spaghetti and meatballs in bowls, topped with shredded mozzarella if desired. Decorate each meatball with a mozzarella ball or googly eye to create the creepy eyeball effect. Place the eyeballs on top of the meatballs for a spooky presentation.

Notes

For extra creepy effect, use peeled grapes or olives instead of mozzarella balls for the eyes. Be creative with the eyeball placement and enjoy the fun spectacle!