Description
This Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs is the ultimate spooky dinner for Halloween night! Al dente pasta tossed in a rich, vibrant red tomato sauce is topped with eerie mozzarella eyeballs made from black olives and fresh mozzarella balls. Both creepy and delicious, this dish will wow guests of all ages!
Ingredients
Scale
Essentials:
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- 12 mozzarella balls (ciliegine or bocconcini)
- 6 black olives, halved
Optional Add-Ons:
- Fresh herbs (parsley or basil) for garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Balsamic glaze or food coloring for extra spooky eyeball details
Substitutions & Shortcuts:
- Swap crushed tomatoes for tomato sauce if you prefer a smoother texture
- Use store-bought pasta sauce to save time
- Add diced jalapeños with the onions for extra heat
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes. Simmer for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
- Assemble Eyeballs: While sauce simmers, press halved black olives into mozzarella balls to resemble eyeballs. Optional: add a dot of balsamic glaze or food coloring for extra creepiness.
- Combine & Serve: Toss cooked spaghetti in the sauce until coated. Divide into bowls or plates, topping each portion with mozzarella eyeballs. Garnish with fresh herbs or parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- This dish can easily be doubled for a party-sized portion.
- For a healthier twist, use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti.
- Serve with garlic bread ‘fingers’ for an extra spooky spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Halloween Recipe
- Method: Boil, Simmer, Assemble
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe with 3 mozzarella eyeballs
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: bloody spaghetti, Halloween pasta, mozzarella eyeballs, spooky dinner, Halloween recipes for kids, creepy pasta recipe