Go Back

Spooky Halloween Pasta

This playful Halloween pasta features long, tender spaghetti coated in a rich tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella 'eyeballs' and pupils made from olives or cherry tomatoes. The dish is assembled with fun, messy touches that evoke spooky tendrils and creepy eyes, resulting in a visually striking, delicious meal perfect for last-minute parties and family dinners. Its final appearance is colorful, goofy, and inviting, with bubbling cheese and vibrant toppings that delight both kids and adults.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine long, slender pasta
  • 2 cups tomato sauce rich and flavorful
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls for eyeballs
  • 4 pieces black olives or cherry tomatoes for pupils
  • to taste chopped herbs like basil or parsley
  • to taste chili flakes for extra heat

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Slotted spoon
  • Small spoon or melon baller
  • Sharp Knife

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain, reserving a cup of pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. The kitchen fills with a savory aroma and the ingredients sizzle softly.
  3. Pour in the tomato sauce and add a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir everything together and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and develops a rich color.
  4. Use a small spoon or melon baller to carefully carve out two mozzarella balls to resemble large eyeballs. Gently nestle these into the simmering sauce, allowing them to soften and start melting slightly, giving a gooey, spooky effect.
  5. Press a black olive or cherry tomato into each mozzarella ball to create the pupils, pressing gently to secure them in place. The vivid contrast makes the eyes pop and adds to the spooky vibe.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat, heating everything together for 2-3 minutes until the pasta is heated through and coated in the flavorful sauce. You should hear a slight bubbling as it heats.
  7. Sprinkle chopped herbs and chili flakes over the pasta for brightness and a hint of heat. Mix gently to distribute evenly, watching the colors brighten and the spices sprinkle down.
  8. Transfer the spooky pasta to serving plates, arranging the mozzarella 'eyeballs' and pupils to create a fun, eerie display. Let everyone marvel at the playful, gooey eyes before digging in.

Notes

Use fresh mozzarella for the best gooey effect. Be gentle when handling the mozzarella to prevent splitting. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving for optimal flavor.