Description
Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs is a fun and festive Halloween dinner idea featuring juicy mozzarella-stuffed meatballs atop saucy spaghetti, decorated with edible monster eyes. This kid-friendly recipe is perfect for parties or themed family nights and easy to prep in advance. Enjoy this spooky pasta dinner with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
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
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until combined.
3. Scoop about a tablespoon of the mixture, flatten it, place a mozzarella cube inside, and shape it into a ball. Repeat for all meatballs.
4. Arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes until cooked through and cheese is melted.
5. While meatballs bake, cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. Warm marinara sauce in a saucepan. Optionally, add food coloring for a spooky twist.
7. Toss spaghetti with marinara sauce until fully coated.
8. Plate the pasta and top with 2–3 meatballs per serving.
9. Use a dab of sauce to attach candy eyes or olive slices to each meatball.
10. Garnish with parsley or basil and serve warm.
Notes
Make sure to seal the meatballs well so the cheese stays inside while baking.
If you’re short on time, use store-bought frozen meatballs and just add the monster eyes.
Add food coloring to the marinara for spooky green or purple pasta effects.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg