Description
Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs is a fun Halloween dinner, easy recipe, and family-friendly pasta idea made with saucy spaghetti, juicy homemade meatballs, melted cheese, and black olive monster eyes. It’s perfect for dinner ideas, Halloween party food, kid-friendly meals, and festive food ideas that look playful but still taste cozy and satisfying.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups marinara sauce
6 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
1. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil and marinara sauce.
2. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl until just combined.
3. Roll mixture into meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. Top each hot meatball with cheese and return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until melted.
6. Press two black olive slices onto each cheesy meatball to make monster eyes.
7. Arrange spaghetti on a platter, place meatballs on top, garnish if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Use warm meatballs so the cheese melts into a spooky drippy shape.
Do not overmix the meatball mixture or the texture may turn dense.
Add the olive eyes after melting the cheese so they stay in place.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Halloween dinner, spooky spaghetti, cheesy monster meatballs, easy recipe, dinner ideas, food ideas, kid-friendly meals