Go Back

Halloween Eyeball Pasta

This dish features a bright red marinara sauce studded with meatballs fashioned to resemble creepy eyeballs. The pasta is cooked until al dente and combined with the sauce to create a playful, gory-looking presentation, perfect for festive occasions. The final dish has a saucy texture with the eye-shaped meatballs adding a whimsical visual element.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pieces meatballs prepared or homemade, about the size of a golf ball
  • 1 jar marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 400 g uncooked spaghetti about 14 ounces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • to taste salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon water or broth for thinning sauce if needed

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Small bowl
  • Cooking spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until it begins to turn golden and smells wonderful.
  3. Add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the garlic, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld for about 5 minutes.
  4. While the sauce simmers, prepare the meatballs if homemade, or ensure they are pre-cooked. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes until heated through and slightly browned.
  5. Add the cooked meatballs to the simmering sauce, turning to coat them evenly and allow them to absorb some of the sauce's rich flavor.
  6. Arrange the drained spaghetti onto serving plates, then spoon the hot, saucy meatballs and sauce over the pasta, creating a bed of vibrant red sauce with floating meatballs that resemble eyeballs.

Notes

For extra creepy effects, add small mozzarella balls as irises or use thinly sliced black olives for pupils to enhance the eyeball look.