Spooky Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

Oh, Halloween! It’s my absolute favorite time of year to get creative in the kitchen. I just LOVE making super fun, slightly spooky treats that go all out for the holiday, and this Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs Recipe is a total winner. Seriously, it’s so easy to whip up, perfect for little hands to help with, and the kids go absolutely bonkers for the creepy eyeballs! I first made this a few years ago when my niece was obsessed with anything that looked even a little bit ghoulish, and now it’s a total must-have for our Halloween night dinner. Those little mozzarella eyeballs are just SO cute and creepy all at once!

Why You’ll Love This Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs Recipe

Trust me, this recipe isn’t just about looking spooky, it’s genuinely delicious and super easy to pull off!

• No-Fuss Prep: Seriously, it’s quick to put this together, even on a busy Halloween night.
• Kid-Approved Spookiness: The creepy eyeballs are a huge hit with little ones (and the brave adults too!).
• Deliciously Simple: It’s just pasta and marinara with a fun twist – what’s not to love?
• Totally Customizable: You can totally swap out pasta shapes or add other Halloweeny touches.
• Quickly Satisfying: Ready in about 30 minutes, so you can get to the trick-or-treating!

Gather Your Ingredients for Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

Alright, let’s get our spooky ingredients ready! I always grab fresh mozzarella balls from BelGioioso if I can find them – they just seem to hold their shape perfectly for the eyeballs. And for the marinara, a good quality jarred sauce is totally fine, especially if you’re in a pinch!

• 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape (I love using rotini or penne for this!)
• 1 cup of good marinara sauce
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (the little bocconcini size work great!)
• 2 tablespoons black olives, pitted and finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for that pop of green

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

Alright, let’s get this spooktacular dish made! It’s really not complicated at all, and the steps are super easy to follow. I always tell people to cook their pasta just a teeny bit less than the package says – you know, ‘al dente’ – because it’s going to hang out in the sauce for a bit, and nobody likes mushy pasta, right? So, get that pasta cooking according to the package directions – here’s a great refresher if you need it! Once it’s done, drain it really well and then pop it right back into the same pot. Be gentle when you toss it with the marinara sauce; we don’t want to break up our pasta shapes.

Preparing the Pasta for Your Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

First things first, cook your pasta! Get a big pot of salted water boiling and follow the package directions for cooking time. Remember, aim for that perfect ‘al dente’ bite – slightly firm to the tooth. Once it’s cooked, drain it thoroughly and then return it to the warm pot. This is the base for our creepy creation!

Creating the Spooky Mozzarella Eyeballs

Now for the fun part – making those eye-catching eyeballs! You absolutely want to use *fresh* mozzarella balls for this. They have a much better texture and hold their shape so much better than pre-shredded stuff, which would just melt into a gooey mess. Just grab a slice of black olive, and gently press it right onto the center of each mozzarella ball. It’s like giving them a little stare! If you find the olive slice isn’t sticking, a tiny dab of the marinara sauce can help it adhere like magic.

Assembling and Finishing Your Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

Okay, here’s where the magic really happens! Take your warm pasta, which is still in the pot, and gently stir in the marinara sauce. You don’t want to mush it up, so just a nice, gentle toss. Then, carefully nestle those spooky mozzarella eyeballs right into the pasta. You want them to peek out! Finally, sprinkle everything with that chopped fresh parsley. It gives it a nice little pop of color and freshness, making those eyeballs really stand out.

Tips for Perfect Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

Alright, so you’ve got the basic idea, but let me share a few little tricks I’ve learned that make this Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs Recipe extra special! These little things really do make a difference, I promise. First off, the pasta shape! While any pasta works, I’ve found that shapes with nooks and crannies, like rotini or penne, are just fantastic. They really grab onto that marinara sauce, and the little spirals or holes give the eyeballs a fun place to “sit” and peek out. Avoid anything too flat and delicate, or it might just get lost in the sauce. When you’re adding the mozzarella eyeballs, don’t just dump them all on top. Gently nestle them into the pasta so they look like they’re actually peeking out from the dish. It makes for such a creepier and more fun presentation that way! And, pro tip: if you want to make sure those eyeballs don’t melt too much into the sauce before serving, let the pasta cool for just a minute or two after you toss it with the marinara before adding the eyeballs. They’ll still be cheesy delicious, but they won’t disappear!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Halloween Pasta

So, you’ve got the main ingredients for this Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs recipe, but let’s chat about a few things! While I love my fresh bocconcini mozzarella balls for those perfecto eyeballs, if you can’t find them, a larger fresh mozzarella ball that you cut yourself into smaller, eyeball-sized pieces will totally work. Just make sure it’s fresh and not the pre-shredded kind, because that stuff just melts away into nothing! If you’re going dairy-free, there are some pretty decent dairy-free mozzarella balls out there now; they might not get quite as “melty-cheesy” as the real deal, but they’ll still give you that fun eyeball look! As for the pasta, honestly, use whatever you’ve got! Rotini, penne, farfalle – they all work. Sometimes I even use those fun Halloween-shaped pastas if I can find them! And the marinara sauce? A smooth sauce works great, but if you like a little chunkiness, that’s fine too. Some people even like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to their marinara for a little kick, which is totally an option if you’re feeding grown-ups who like a bit of heat!

Frequently Asked Questions about Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs

Got questions about our spooky pasta? I’ve got answers for you!

Can I make the mozzarella eyeballs ahead of time for my Halloween pasta?

You can definitely prep the olive slices and have them ready, but I wouldn’t put them on the mozzarella balls too far in advance. They might get a little swimmy! It’s best to add the olive “pupils” right before serving for that fresh, spooky look.

How should I store leftover Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs?

Just pop any leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll be good for about 2-3 days. You can gently reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, or just enjoy it cold!

What other spooky additions can I make to this Halloween pasta dish?

Oh, you can totally go wild! How about some diced red bell pepper or cherry tomatoes mixed in to look like little guts? Or scatter some cooked black beans on top for a creepy crawly effect. Some even add a drizzle of balsamic glaze to make it look extra gory!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Alright, so let’s talk numbers for our spooky Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs! Keep in mind these figures are just estimates, because, you know, kitchens can be a little unpredictable! Depending on the exact brand of marinara you use or how big your mozzarella balls are, the totals can shift a bit. But generally, a serving of this fun dish is around 450 calories, with about 18g of fat and a solid 20g of protein to keep you going!

Share Your Spooky Creations!

Alright, my spooky chefs, I really hope you loved making this Halloween Pasta Mozzarella Eyeballs Recipe as much as I love making it! Did your eyeballs turn out super creepy? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it in the comments below! And if you took pictures – oh, please, please share them! Tag me on social media so I can see your amazing creations. Your spooky food adventures make my day! dont forget Brazilian Monjouro: The Natural Weight Loss For more recipes follow me on PINTEREST Print