Eyeball Pasta Bake: A Spooky And Delicious Halloween Dinner

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I Enjoy This Dish Because It Combines The Best Of Both Worlds—A Cheesy, Hearty Pasta Bake And A Spooky, Kid-Friendly Presentation. I Like That It Can Be Made Ahead Of Time And Baked Fresh Before Serving, Which Makes It Perfect For Parties. The Eyeball Effect Always Gets Laughs (And Sometimes A Few Creepy Shivers), But Beneath The Festive Look, It’s Just Delicious Comfort Food.

Ingredients

(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)

For The Pasta Bake:

• 12 Oz Pasta (Penne, Rigatoni, Or Ziti Work Best)

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil

• 1 Small Onion, Diced

• 3 Garlic Cloves, Minced

• 1 Pound Ground Beef (Or Italian Sausage)

• 1 Jar (24 Oz) Marinara Sauce (Or Homemade)

• 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning

• ½ Tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

• 1 Tsp Salt

• ½ Tsp 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 Tsp Garlic Powder

• 1 Tsp Onion Powder

• ½ Tsp Paprika

• Salt And Pepper To Taste

• Fresh Mozzarella Slices (Or Mozzarella Balls, Halved)

• Black Or Green Olives, Sliced

Directions

Step 1: Make The Pasta Base

1. I Cook The Pasta In Salted Boiling Water Until Al Dente, Then Drain And Set Aside.

2. In A Skillet, I Heat Olive Oil And Sauté Onion And Garlic Until Fragrant.

3. I Add Ground Beef (Or Sausage), Season With Salt, Pepper, And Italian Spices, And Cook Until Browned.

4. I Stir In Marinara Sauce And Let It Simmer For 10 Minutes.

Step 2: Make The Meatball Eyeballs

1. In A Bowl, I Mix Ground Meat, Breadcrumbs, Egg, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt, And Pepper.

2. I Form Small Meatballs And Bake Them At 375°F (190°C) For 15–20 Minutes Until Cooked Through.

Step 3: Assemble The Pasta Bake

1. I Preheat The Oven To 375°F (190°C).

2. In A Large Baking Dish, I Combine Cooked Pasta, Sauce, And Half The Mozzarella.

3. I Sprinkle Parmesan And The Remaining Mozzarella On Top.

4. I Nestle The Cooked Meatballs On Top Of The Pasta.

Step 4: Add The Eyeball Effect

1. I Place A Mozzarella Slice (Or Halved Mozzarella Ball) On Each Meatball.

2. I Top With A Sliced Olive To Form The Pupil.

3. I Bake Uncovered For 20–25 Minutes Until The Cheese Is Melted And Bubbly.

Step 5: Serve

I Remove The Bake From The Oven, Let It Cool Slightly, And Serve Hot—Watching Everyone’s Faces Light Up When They Spot The “Eyeballs.”

Servings And Timing

This Recipe Serves 6–8 People. It Takes About 25 Minutes Of Prep And 40–45 Minutes To Cook And Assemble, For A Total Time Of Around 1 Hour 10 Minutes.

Variations

I Sometimes Add A Drizzle Of Extra Marinara Over The Top For A “Bloody” Look. If I’m Hosting Kids, I Let Them Help Assemble The Eyeballs—They Love Creating Their Own Creepy Dinner. For A Vegetarian Version, I Use Cherry Tomatoes As The Eyeballs With Mozzarella And Olives On Top.

Storage/Reheating

Leftovers Keep Well In The Refrigerator For Up To 4 Days. I Reheat In The Oven At 325°F Until Hot, Or Microwave Individual Portions. This Bake Can Also Be Assembled Ahead And Refrigerated Overnight Before Baking.

FAQs

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes, I Often Prepare The Pasta And Meatballs The Day Before, Then Assemble And Bake Fresh.

Do I Have To Use Meatballs For The Eyeballs?

No, I Sometimes Use Cherry Tomatoes Or Even Stuffed Mushrooms For A Fun Twist.

What Pasta Works Best?

I Prefer Penne, Rigatoni, Or Ziti Because Their Shape Holds The Sauce Well.

Can I Use Store-Bought Meatballs?

Yes, They Work Perfectly When I’m Short On Time.

How Do I Make It Look Extra Spooky?

I Drizzle Extra Sauce Over The Top To Resemble “Blood” Or Pipe A Sour Cream Spiderweb Before Serving.

Conclusion

I Love Making Eyeball Pasta Bake For Halloween Because It’s Equal Parts Fun And Delicious. The Gooey Cheese, Savory Sauce, And Juicy Meatballs Make It Comforting, While The Creepy Eyeballs Turn It Into A Festive Showstopper. It’s Always The Star Of The Table At Any Spooky Celebration.

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