Description
A fun and playful twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs, Eyeball Pasta features juicy baked meatballs topped with cheese and olives to resemble eyeballs, served over spaghetti with warm marinara sauce. This creative dish is perfect for Halloween or any fun dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Toppings
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, warmed
- Ciliegine (small mozzarella balls), cut into rounds
- Black olives, sliced crosswise into rounds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup while baking the meatballs.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, Panko bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and beaten egg. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly using a rubber spatula or your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape and bake meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 13 minutes until cooked through.
- Add cheese and olive “eyeballs”: Remove the baking sheet briefly. On top of each meatball, place a round slice of Ciliegine cheese and a sliced black olive to create the “eyeball” effect. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 2 minutes until the cheese is melty.
- Cook spaghetti: While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and serve: Transfer the cooked spaghetti to a serving platter, pouring the warm marinara sauce evenly over the noodles. Scatter the baked eyeball meatballs on top and serve immediately for a fun and delicious meal.
Notes
- Using Panko breadcrumbs helps keep meatballs light and tender.
- Ciliegine cheese slices melt quickly; watch carefully to avoid burning.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute meatballs with plant-based balls and use vegan cheese.
- Serve with extra marinara sauce for those who like it saucier.
- Perfect dish to serve at Halloween parties or themed dinners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
