Name: Halloween Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti; 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or beef/pork mix); ½ cup breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought); 8–10 mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine); 8–10 black olive slices (for pupils); Fresh basil leaves (for garnish); Extra Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Jump to Recipe

This Halloween Pasta Recipe is spooky, delicious, and ridiculously fun to make. Imagine twirling your fork into spaghetti only to have a meatball eyeball staring back at you—creepy? Yes. Tasty? Absolutely. It’s the perfect mix of comfort food and Halloween spirit, and it’ll turn your dinner table into a haunted feast everyone remembers.

Why You’ll Fall Head Over Heels for This Halloween Pasta

It’s easy. We’re basically making spaghetti and meatballs—Halloween just gave it a makeover.
It’s crowd-pleasing. Who doesn’t love pasta? Even picky eaters will dig in.
It’s festive. Eyeballs floating in spaghetti instantly say, “I tried.”
It’s versatile. Use any sauce, pasta type, or meatball recipe you love.
It’s fun to decorate. A little mozzarella and an olive slice = instant spooky vibes.

Basically, this dish takes the familiar comfort of spaghetti night and dresses it up for Halloween. Think of it as your pasta in costume.

Gathering Your Spooky Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to serve about 4 hungry ghouls:

Spaghetti – classic long noodles work best.
Marinara sauce – homemade or from a jar, no judgment.
Ground beef (1 lb / 450 g) – or a mix of beef and pork for juicy meatballs.
Breadcrumbs (½ cup) – the glue that holds monster eyeballs together.
Egg (1 large) – binder magic.
Parmesan (¼ cup, grated) – for flavor and to flex that Italian energy.
Garlic powder (1 tsp) – optional, but makes meatballs taste next-level.
Mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine) – these are your eyeball “whites.”
Black olives (sliced into rounds) – instant pupils.
Salt & pepper – because nobody likes bland meatballs.
Olive oil – to keep things from sticking.

Optional extras:

Red chili flakes (for a spicy kick).
A sprinkle of parsley (because even eyeballs deserve garnish).

If you’re into cozy fall dinners, check out my Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe — it pairs perfectly with this pasta.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Halloween Masterpiece

1. Cook the pasta.

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside. Bonus: toss the noodles with a splash of olive oil so they don’t clump into a sticky monster.

2. Make the meatball mix.

In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently—don’t overwork it or your meatballs will turn into rubbery goblins.

3. Shape the monster eyeballs.

Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 18–20 minutes, or pan-fry until browned and cooked through. Either works, depending on how messy you want your kitchen to be.

4. Add the eyeballs.

Slice a little off each mozzarella ball so it “sticks” to the meatball. Place one on top of each meatball. Then press a black olive slice in the center to make the pupil. Boom: creepy eyeballs that look like they’re following you.

5. Heat the sauce.

Warm your marinara in a saucepan until it’s bubbling like a witch’s brew. Season to taste—add chili flakes if you want fiery eyeballs.

6. Assemble the scene.

Pile spaghetti on a platter. Spoon over sauce generously. Place your eyeball meatballs on top, spacing them so they really stare at your guests. Sprinkle with parsley for that “fresh graveyard grass” touch.

7. Serve with flair.

Dim the lights, light some candles, and watch your family/friends laugh (and maybe squirm a little) as they dive in. It’s a vibe.

Pro Tips for Halloween Pasta Success

Don’t skimp on seasoning. A spooky theme doesn’t excuse bland pasta.
Use fresh mozzarella. It sticks better and looks more eyeball-realistic.
Secure the pupils. If your olive slices keep sliding off, use a tiny dab of marinara as “glue.”
Bake vs. fry. Baking is easier for a crowd; frying makes them juicier. Choose your spooky adventure.
Serve hot. Cold eyeballs? Ew.

Making It Your Own

Not into beef? Use ground turkey or chicken. Just add a little extra seasoning to boost flavor.
Gluten-free? Swap in gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs. Easy.
Vegetarian? Make veggie balls (lentils, beans, or mushrooms). The eyeball trick still works!
Sauce swap: Alfredo for ghostly white pasta, pesto for Frankenstein green vibes.

Halloween pasta doesn’t follow rules—have fun with it.

Storage and Leftovers

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or sauce.
Pro tip: If the eyeballs look a little sad after reheating, just pop fresh mozzarella and olives on top. Instant refresh.

Craving more weeknight-friendly pasta? My Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is another must-try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes! Cook them the day before and reheat in sauce. Add the mozzarella and olive pupils right before serving.

Q: Do kids actually eat eyeballs?
They LOVE it. The sillier the better. Just don’t call them “real eyeballs” unless you want picky-eater drama.

Q: What pasta works best?
Spaghetti is classic, but linguine, fettuccine, or even rigatoni (stuffed with “blood” sauce) all work.

Q: How many meatball eyeballs should I make?
Plan for 3–4 per person. Hungry monsters will want extras.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, freeze the meatballs (without mozzarella/olives) up to 2 months. Thaw, reheat, then add eyeballs fresh.

Q: Can I use jarred sauce?
Of course. This isn’t a culinary exam—it’s Halloween pasta night.

Conclusion

There you go: Halloween Pasta with Meatball Eyeballs, a dish that’s equal parts creepy and comforting. It’s fast, fun, and almost guaranteed to be the star of your spooky spread. Whether you’re feeding kids, friends, or your inner child, this recipe is a total treat.

So put on your witch hat, grab a fork, and get ready to enjoy a dinner that’ll have everyone saying: “I’ve got my eyes on you!

Ready to scare up some fun? Save this Halloween Pasta Recipe to Pinterest and serve it at your next spooky dinner party!

Halloween Pasta Recipe

Yield: 1 large pasta platter

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This Halloween Pasta Recipe is spooky, fun, and totally delicious! Juicy meatballs topped with mozzarella and olive “eyeballs” sit on a bed of spaghetti in rich marinara sauce. Perfect for kids, parties, and anyone who wants a creepy yet tasty Halloween dinner idea.

Ingredients

12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or beef/pork mix)
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
8–10 mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
8–10 black olive slices (for pupils)
Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Extra Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

Cook the spaghetti.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Make the meatball mix.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.

Shape and cook meatballs.
Roll into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. Add marinara sauce, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until cooked through.

Prepare eyeballs.
Slice a small piece off the bottom of each mozzarella ball so it sits flat. Place one on top of each meatball. Add a black olive slice in the center to make the “pupil.”

Assemble the pasta.
Place spaghetti on a platter and top with marinara sauce. Arrange the eyeball meatballs on top. Garnish with basil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve spooky-style.
Bring to the table with garlic bread and mini pumpkins for decoration.