Description
Spooky Spaghetti & Eyeballs is a fun and creative twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs, perfect for Halloween or themed dinners. Juicy beef and pork meatballs are baked to perfection, topped with provolone ‘eyeballs’ and black olive ‘pupils,’ and served over tender spaghetti tossed in marinara sauce for a spooky yet delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Eyeball Toppings
- 8 ounces sliced provolone cheese
- 2.25 ounces canned sliced black olives
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 16 ounces dried spaghetti
- 16 ounces marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix meatball ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, olive oil, parsley flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Form meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into 2-inch wide balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about ½ inch space between each meatball for even cooking.
- Bake meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until they are golden brown on top and fully cooked inside.
- Prepare eyeballs: While the meatballs bake, cut the provolone cheese slices into 1-inch circles using a small cookie cutter or knife to create the ‘whites’ of the eyeballs.
- Add eyeball toppings: Remove meatballs from the oven and place one provolone circle atop each meatball. Then place one slice of black olive on each cheese circle to mimic the iris and pupil of an eyeball.
- Melt cheese topping: Return the meatballs to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes until the provolone cheese slightly melts. Remove and set aside.
- Cook spaghetti: While meatballs finish, boil spaghetti in a pot according to package instructions until al dente.
- Heat marinara sauce: Warm the marinara sauce in the pot and then stir in the cooked spaghetti to evenly coat with sauce.
- Plate and serve: Using tongs, place servings of spaghetti onto plates and nestle the eyeball meatballs on top. Garnish with additional parsley flakes if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- This spooky take on spaghetti and meatballs makes a fun, kid-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare.
- The combination of ground beef and pork ensures flavorful and juicy meatballs.
- Using provolone and black olives creates realistic and delicious eyeball toppings perfect for Halloween.
- Make sure to not overcrowd meatballs while baking to ensure even cooking.
- Feel free to add extra parsley or Italian herbs for more flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 718 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 934 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg
