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Eyeball Pasta

Eyeball Pasta features cooked pasta topped with meatball 'eyeballs,' which are baked or pan-fried meatballs with a red center to mimic bloodshot eyeballs. The dish is finished with a flavorful sauce, melted cheese, and vibrant food coloring for a spooky, playful presentation. The final texture combines al dente pasta with tender, juicy meatballs and gooey cheese for a fun, creepy feast.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pieces meatballs cooked and ready
  • 8 oz pasta (penne or spaghetti) uncooked
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bunch fresh basil chopped
  • red food coloring red food coloring for creepy centers
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Baking sheet or skillet
  • Large saucepan
  • Cooking spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until it becomes golden and fragrant.
  3. Add the marinara sauce to the garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, filling your kitchen with rich tomato aroma.
  4. While the sauce simmers, prepare the meatball 'eyeballs'. Mix red food coloring into a small portion of marinara or directly into the meat mixture before shaping into small round balls, making sure the centers are vividly red for a creepy effect.
  5. If using pre-cooked meatballs, place them on a baking sheet or skillet and reheat until hot and slightly browned, about 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C). This helps get a nice crispy exterior for the eyeballs.
  6. To assemble, toss the cooked pasta with the flavorful sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and make it shiny.
  7. Arrange the hot meatballs on top of the sauced pasta, pressing a small indentation into each to place the red centers, mimicking creepy eyeballs. Or, cut the meatballs to reveal the red centers inside for an even more grotesque effect.
  8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over the dish and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  9. Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil for a fragrant, colorful touch. Serve immediately to enjoy the gooey cheese and spooky eyeballs.

Notes

You can use store-bought meatballs to save time. For extra creepiness, add sliced olives or edible eyes on top of the meatballs before adding cheese.