Eyeball Pasta Bake – A Spooky & Delicious Halloween Dinner
This Eyeball Pasta Bake is cheesy, gooey, and spooktacular perfect for Halloween night! With eerie meatball 'eyeballs' and cozy pasta layers, it's a fun twist on a classic comfort food.
Ingredients
For the pasta bake:
- 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or ziti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the eyeballs:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh mozzarella slices or mozzarella balls halved
- Black or green olives sliced
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add ground meat, season with salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ground meat with breadcrumbs, egg, and spices. Form into small meatballs and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes.
- In a baking dish, combine pasta, sauce, and half of the mozzarella. Top with Parmesan and the remaining mozzarella.
- Place cooked meatballs on top. Add a mozzarella slice or ball to each meatball, then top with an olive slice for the pupil.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Cool slightly, garnish with basil if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
Use string cheese for quick eyeballs if fresh mozzarella isn’t available. Make ahead and bake just before serving for party ease. Let kids decorate the eyeballs for extra Halloween fun!