Description
Looking for the ultimate Halloween dinner idea? This Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs is spooky, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. Tender spaghetti gets tossed in a rich, garlicky marinara “blood” sauce, then topped with fresh mozzarella and olive “eyeballs” for a creepy effect that’s still kid-friendly. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or planning a quick dinner idea before trick-or-treating, this festive pasta dish is the perfect easy recipe. It’s also ideal for those in search of fun food ideas, Halloween dinner recipes, or easy party meals that double as spooky table decor.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
16 small mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
8 black or green olives, sliced into rings
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Pour in marinara sauce. Stir in Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Toss well to coat evenly. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
5. While the pasta simmers, press one olive slice into each mozzarella ball to create “eyeballs.”
6. Arrange the spaghetti on a serving platter or skillet. Gently press mozzarella eyeballs into the pasta so they peek through.
7. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Serve warm and enjoy the spooky vibes!
Notes
Add the mozzarella eyeballs just before serving to keep them from melting into the pasta.
If you can’t find small mozzarella balls, cut larger ones into rounds.
Want extra protein? Stir in cooked ground beef or sausage with the marinara.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Halloween, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Halloween dinner, spooky pasta, mozzarella eyeballs, easy dinner, Halloween recipe