Description
Eyeball Pasta is a fun and spooky twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs, perfect for Halloween or themed dinners. Juicy baked beef meatballs are topped with rounds of mozzarella and black olives to resemble eyeballs, served on a bed of al dente spaghetti with warm marinara sauce for a visually striking and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Eyeball Toppings
- Ciliegine mozzarella, cut into rounds (about 1 per meatball)
- Black olives, sliced crosswise into rounds (about 1 slice per meatball)
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, warmed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, Panko bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, and beaten egg. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly using a rubber spatula or your hands until all ingredients are well combined. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 13 minutes until they are cooked through and browned on the outside.
- Add Eyeball Toppings and Finish Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place a slice of ciliegine mozzarella and a black olive round on top of each meatball to resemble eyeballs. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 2 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes gooey.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the meatballs finish baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and transfer it to a serving platter.
- Assemble the Dish: Pour the warmed marinara sauce over the spaghetti, then scatter the cheesy eyeball meatballs on top. Serve immediately for a fun and festive meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- For a vegetarian alternative, use plant-based meat substitutes and vegan cheese.
- Make sure the onion is finely chopped so it incorporates well into the meatballs.
- Use fresh parsley for best flavor, but dried parsley can work in a pinch (use about 1 teaspoon).
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute Panko bread crumbs with gluten-free crumbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
