Ready to serve up some creepy fun? This Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs is an absolute showstopper for your next Halloween dinner. With rich, savory marinara sauce clinging to every strand of pasta and eerily realistic mozzarella “eyeballs,” it’s both spooky and delicious. Perfect for a festive night in, a kids’ party, or a frightfully fun potluck, this dish turns a classic comfort food into a ghoulish masterpiece.
The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make and surprisingly quick to assemble. The eyeballs are just mozzarella balls topped with olives, but they create a visual effect that’s equal parts fun and creepy. Whether you’re hosting a haunted house dinner or just want to thrill your family at home, this dish will have everyone doing a double take before digging in.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
To bring this monstrous pasta creation to life, you’ll need just a few kitchen basics—but each one plays a big role:
- Large Pot for Boiling Pasta: You need enough room for the spaghetti to cook evenly and without clumping.
- Colander: Crucial for draining your pasta efficiently and safely.
- Large Skillet or Saucepan: This is where the marinara sauce magic happens. Choose one with high sides to avoid splatter.
- Sharp Knife: For slicing your olives perfectly to mimic pupils.
- Cutting Board: To safely and neatly prepare your mozzarella eyeballs and olives.
- Mixing Spoon or Tongs: For tossing your spaghetti in the sauce and arranging those creepy eyeballs with precision.
- Serving Platter or Skillet: A dark or rustic-colored skillet makes for a chilling presentation!
These tools help streamline the process, making this spooky dish more treat than trick.

Ingredients for the Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs
Each ingredient in this spooky pasta dish contributes to the hauntingly delicious flavor and eerie presentation:
- Spaghetti: The base of the dish—long strands mimic messy tangles, perfect for a “bloody” look.
- Marinara Sauce: Thick, red, and rich—this creates the gory effect while delivering bold tomato flavor.
- Mozzarella Balls (Bocconcini): These form the eerie “eyeballs” that sit atop your spaghetti, providing a creamy contrast.
- Green or Black Olives: Sliced and placed on top of the mozzarella to form realistic pupils.
- Fresh Parsley or Basil (optional): A sprinkle adds color contrast and a touch of freshness.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps the sauce coat the pasta smoothly.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
How To Make the Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
Boil a large pot of salted water. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Heat the Marinara Sauce
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Pour in your marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Step 3: Toss the Pasta
Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss until well coated. Let it simmer together for another 2–3 minutes to soak up the sauce.
Step 4: Create the Eyeballs
Slice the olives into thin rounds. Press one olive slice into the center of each mozzarella ball to create a spooky eyeball effect.
Step 5: Assemble the Dish
Twirl spaghetti into small mounds on a large serving platter or skillet. Top each mound with a mozzarella eyeball. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil for a creepy touch of color.
Serving and Storing Your Bloody Spaghetti
This dish is best served hot, right after assembling. The mozzarella eyeballs are most striking when they’re slightly softened from the warm pasta—just enough to look creepy without losing their shape. Use a dark skillet or rustic platter to enhance the Halloween aesthetic, and pair it with garlic bread “fingers” or a green salad for balance.
If you have leftovers (though that’s rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, remove the mozzarella balls, microwave the pasta, then place the eyeballs back on top for serving. It’s still fun the second time around!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of mozzarella should I use for the eyeballs?
Use small mozzarella balls like bocconcini or ciliegine. They’re the perfect size and have a smooth texture for a realistic eyeball appearance.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Sure! While spaghetti creates the best “bloody tangle” effect, you can use fettuccine or linguine for a similar look.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the marinara while it simmers. It gives the sauce a kick without altering the visual appeal.
Are there vegetarian options?
Absolutely—this recipe is naturally vegetarian if your marinara sauce is meat-free. Check labels to be sure.
Can I make it ahead of time?
You can prepare the components separately—cook the pasta and sauce, and assemble the eyeballs. Store them separately and assemble just before serving to keep the mozzarella looking fresh.
Want More Pasta Ideas with a Twist?
If this Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs put you in the mood for playful, flavorful pasta, check out these other creative favorites:
- Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells for a comforting, creamy classic.
- Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole if you love bold flavors in a baked dish.
- Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini for a sweet-and-savory pasta spin.
- One Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta with bold heat and hearty textures.
- Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini for rich and savory comfort in one pan.
Save This Recipe for Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest Halloween board so you can bring the creepy-cute vibes to your next spooky dinner party.
Looking for more frightfully fun recipes like this? Head over to my Pinterest where I share daily ideas from sweet to savory: Life With Olivia on Pinterest.
Did you give this recipe a try? Leave a comment below and tell me how you made it your own! Maybe you added stuffed pepper “fingers” or went with black pasta for extra mood—I’d love to hear your twist!

Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs is the perfect spooky dinner centerpiece. Tangled spaghetti tossed in rich marinara sauce creates a dramatic “bloody” look, while mozzarella and olive eyeballs bring the Halloween thrill. It’s eerie, tasty, and easy to prepare for any haunted gathering.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
8 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
8 slices black or green olives
1 tablespoon olive oil
To taste salt
To taste black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
3. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Toss well to coat all the noodles. Let simmer together for another 2–3 minutes.
4. Slice olives into thin rounds. Press a slice onto each mozzarella ball to create eyeballs.
5. Plate spaghetti in small swirled mounds. Top each mound with a mozzarella eyeball. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
Use bocconcini or ciliegine mozzarella for best eye shape and firmness.
Warm mozzarella slightly with the pasta to get the perfect creepy softness.
Assemble just before serving to keep the “eyeballs” looking fresh and defined.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Halloween
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Halloween pasta, spooky dinner, mozzarella eyeballs


