Halloween Eyeball Spaghetti and Meatballs
These Halloween eyeball spaghetti turn a classic dish into a deliciously terrifying creation, with meatballs decorated with mozzarella and black olives for a striking effect. Ideal for a fun, festive meal on the night of October 31, this indulgent recipe is perfect for kids. Serve it with a fresh green salad for a perfect balance.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per person
- €2.38
By the CookinBreak team
Ingredients 11
Estimated cost €9.50
For the meatballs
For the sauce
For decoration
For cooking
Equipment
Skilletfor browning the meatballs and simmering the sauce
Mixing bowlfor preparing the meat mixture
Round cookie cutters2 cm in diameter, or a bottle cap- Large saucepanfor cooking the pasta
Instructions
Tap a number to check off the step, and a time to start a timer.
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Goes well with
🎅 Christmas: all recipes
Nutrition facts
per serving · estimate- Protein39 g23%
- Carbs78 g45%
- Fat25 g32%
- Fiber6 g
Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.
Good to know
Chef's tip
To keep the mozzarella from melting completely and losing its eye shape, place the cheese discs on the meatballs just after taking them off the heat, right when plating on the plates.
Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?
YesMeatballs and sauce freeze very well, up to 3 months in airtight bags or containers. Cooked pasta can be frozen, but its texture may change slightly.
Storage : How long does it keep?
Keeps 3 days max in an airtight container in the fridge. The meatballs and sauce keep better than cooked pasta.
Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?
YesThe tomato sauce and meatballs can be prepared the day before. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.
Reheating : How do you reheat it?
Reheat in a saucepan over low heat with a little water, or in the microwave at medium power until an internal temperature of 74°C. Avoid overheating the pasta to preserve the texture.
Variations
- Poultry version: replace the beef with chicken sausage meat or ground turkey.
- Vegetarian version: use plant-based meatballs made from lentils and mushrooms to create the same visual effect.
- Bloody version: add a drop of ketchup or tomato paste in the center of the olive slice to mimic fake blood.
Mistakes to avoid
- Placing the mozzarella in the boiling skillet: it would melt instantly, coating the meatball instead of forming a clean iris.
- Shaping meatballs that are too big: they would take too long to cook through and unbalance the spaghetti nests.
- Overcooking the pasta: overcooked spaghetti breaks and makes it hard to form the nests when plating.
Frequently asked questions
How do you cut perfect rounds of mozzarella?
Use a well-drained block of mozzarella or a small clean bottle cap dipped in cold water to cut clean, even discs.
Can you prepare the meatballs ahead of time?
You can shape the meatballs up to 24 hours ahead and keep them covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator before pan-frying them.
What type of pasta can replace spaghetti?
Linguine or tagliatelle work perfectly to twirl the tomato sauce and welcome the monstrous eyes in the center of the plate.
How do you make the olive pupils stay on the cheese?
The slight heat of the meatball warms the mozzarella, which creates a natural stickiness that is enough to hold the pieces of black olive in place.
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Halloween Eyeball Spaghetti and Meatballs
Step 1 of 9
For this step
- 14 oz spaghetti
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 14 oz ground meat
- 1 eggs
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 garlic cloves
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 ¼ cups mozzarella
- 6 black olives
- 2 tbsp olive oil