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Eyeball Pasta

Eyeball Pasta features small, meatball-like spheres with a creepy, eyeball appearance nestled in a bed of tomato sauce and pasta. The dish combines baked or pan-fried meatballs with a vibrant marinara, topped with googly eyes for a spooky effect, resulting in a fun and visually striking meal with a tender, saucy texture.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey or chicken
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian seasoned
  • 1 egg egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup marinara sauce preferably homemade or high-quality jarred
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, use sparingly
  • 24 pieces googly eyes food-safe, small-sized
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for browning

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well incorporated, then chill the mixture for about 10-15 minutes to make shaping easier.
  2. Once chilled, shape the meat mixture into small, round balls about the size of a golf ball—these will be your eyeballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden on the outside. While they bake, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and lightly brown the meatballs for added flavor, if desired.
  4. Meanwhile, warm the marinara sauce in a large pot until bubbling gently. Once ready, add the cooked (browned or baked) meatballs to the sauce, spooning some sauce over them to infuse flavor.
  5. Cook the pasta of your choice in boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Toss the pasta with a bit of the warm marinara sauce to coat evenly.
  6. Arrange the sauced pasta on a serving plate or bowl. Place each meatball on top of the pasta, spacing them out evenly. This creates a spooky, eyeball-like effect.
  7. Top each meatball with a small amount of shredded mozzarella, and carefully press a googly eye into the center of each meatball to mimic an eyeball. If needed, stabilize the eyes with a toothpick.
  8. Optional: Tuck some fresh basil or sprinkle extra herbs around the dish for added contrast and flavor. Serve immediately so the eyes stay in place and the dish remains warm.

Notes

Chill the meat mixture before shaping to prevent sticking. Be careful not to overuse mozzarella to avoid greasiness. Use a toothpick to secure googly eyes for a more stable presentation.