Name: Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 12 ounces spaghetti; 2 cups marinara sauce; 1 tablespoon olive oil (for coating pasta); Candy eyeballs or 1/4 cup sliced black olives; Chopped parsley or basil, optional for garnish

Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs is the ultimate Halloween dinner that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. It brings together a frightfully delicious combination of pasta coated in a rich marinara sauce and juicy meatballs stuffed with melty cheese. The twist? Each meatball transforms into a little monster with eyes and personality, perfect for getting kids excited about dinner.

This festive dish is playful and creative, yet simple enough for a weeknight meal. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash or just looking for a themed family dinner, these cheesy meatballs on a bed of eerie spaghetti are sure to steal the spotlight. The best part is how easy it is to let everyone decorate their own monster meatballs with edible eyes, making it interactive for all ages.

Why You’ll Love This Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs

This dish isn’t just about fun presentation—it’s packed with hearty, comforting flavors. The meatballs are tender, loaded with seasoning, and oozing with cheese. The spaghetti, tossed in a rich tomato sauce, provides a perfect base for the monsters to sit on. It’s kid-friendly, customizable, and a creative way to celebrate the season with dinner instead of just sweets.

Plus, everything can be prepped in advance and assembled right before serving, which makes it ideal for party planning or busy evenings.

What Kind of Cheese Should I Use for Monster Meatballs?

When it comes to cheesy monster meatballs, the goal is a gooey, melty center that surprises you on the first bite. Mozzarella is the most popular choice—it melts beautifully and stretches like a dream. You can also try cheddar for a sharper flavor or use mini cheese sticks cut into chunks for convenience. Make sure to seal the meatballs well so none of that cheesy magic escapes during baking.

Ingredients for the Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs

To make this Halloween-inspired pasta plate both flavorful and festive, you’ll need a few simple staples. Each ingredient plays a role in creating the fun and the flavor.

Ground beef
Mozzarella cubes
Breadcrumbs
Egg
Grated Parmesan
Garlic powder
Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
Spaghetti
Marinara sauce
Candy eyeballs or sliced black olives
Fresh parsley or basil (optional for garnish)

The ground beef is the base of the meatballs, holding everything together with egg and breadcrumbs. Mozzarella brings the surprise cheesy middle. Marinara adds a tangy layer of sauce to coat the pasta and meatballs, while spaghetti makes up the eerie “nest” for your monsters.

Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs (1)

How To Make the Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs

Step 1: Make the Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together with your hands until just combined.

Step 2: Stuff and Shape the Monster Meatballs

Take a tablespoon of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center and shape the meat around it into a ball. Repeat until all the mixture is used.

Step 3: Bake the Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until fully cooked and cheese is melty inside.

Step 4: Prepare the Spaghetti and Sauce

While the meatballs bake, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and toss with warmed marinara sauce. Add food coloring to the sauce before mixing, if desired, to make it look spooky (green or purple are fun options).

Step 5: Assemble the Spooky Plate

Scoop spaghetti onto plates. Place two or three meatballs on top of each pile. Stick candy eyeballs or olive slices onto the meatballs using a dab of sauce as glue.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with fresh herbs for a splash of color and serve warm with a spooky grin.

How to Serve and Store Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs

This festive recipe feeds about 4 to 5 people, depending on how many meatballs you make and how generous the servings are. It’s ideal as a centerpiece dish for a Halloween party or a themed weeknight dinner.

You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 2 days before baking. Cooked leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

What to Serve With Spooky Spaghetti?

Garlic Bread with a Twist

A loaf of garlic bread shaped like bones adds to the spooky vibes and helps soak up the delicious marinara sauce.

Witch’s Brew Punch

Make a fizzy green or purple drink with lemon-lime soda and grape juice for a kid-friendly Halloween beverage.

Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

Add some smoked paprika and arrange your eggs to look like mini pumpkins—they’re savory and seasonal.

Monster Veggie Tray

Serve up raw veggies like baby carrots and cucumber slices with spooky toothpicks and a creamy dip for a balanced side.

Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce

If you’re feeding a crowd, this hearty pasta bake pairs wonderfully with the meatball theme and layers on more cheesy goodness Check it out here.

Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

These bite-sized golden cornbread treats bring a little sweetness to balance the savory monster pasta Try them here.

Old-Time Oven Peach Cobbler

For dessert, serve up a warm, cozy peach cobbler that captures the comfort of fall See the recipe.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If Spooky Spaghetti got your creativity bubbling, here are a few other comforting pasta favorites worth trying:

Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe for a rich and velvety dinner.
Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta for a quick and filling one-pan meal.
Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce for a decadent twist on Philly flavors.
Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta when you want creamy and savory all in one dish.
One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta for smoky goodness and easy cleanup.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use mozzarella or go bold with pepper jack? Did your meatballs look spooky or silly?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook creatively!

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