How would you describe Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs?

Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs is a playful twist on the classic dish, perfect for Halloween. Imagine delicious meatballs stuffed with gooey cheese and topped with black olive slices, resembling eerie eyeballs watching your every move. Served over a bed of spaghetti and drizzled with your favorite pasta sauce, this dish is both fun and flavorful. It's not only visually intriguing but also a delightful taste experience for both kids and adults.

How do you make Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs more fun for Halloween?

You can enhance the spookiness by serving the dish with creative decorations like fake spider webs or plastic spiders around the plate. Consider dying the spaghetti with black food coloring for an extra eerie effect or arranging the meatballs to form a creepy face on the platter. Get the kids involved by having them help with shaping the meatballs and adding olive slices. This interactive experience makes it a memorable Halloween tradition.

Why are meatballs served with spaghetti in this Halloween dish?

The combination of meatballs and spaghetti creates a comforting, hearty meal that's both satisfying and versatile, ideal for a themed dinner. The spaghetti serves as a neutral base, allowing the "eyeball" meatballs to stand out as the star of the show. This pairing also makes it easy to incorporate additional flavors and textures, making the dish appealing to a wide audience. Plus, the meatballs add protein, balancing the meal.

What nutrients are prominent in Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs?

This dish is rich in protein and carbohydrates, providing energy and satiety. The ground beef offers protein and essential vitamins like B12 and iron, while the pasta is a great source of carbs. Cheese adds calcium and a creamy texture, and olives contribute healthy fats. While delicious, it's also wise to enjoy it in moderation, considering the calorie content.

Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs Recipe

Name: Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs: A Halloween Feast
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/4 cup bread crumbs; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 4 string cheese sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces; Black olives, sliced; 1 pound spaghetti noodles; 24 ounces pasta sauce

Description

You ever feel like you’re being watched? This spooky Spaghetti and Meatballs “Eyeball” Pasta is perfectly creepy for Halloween dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 string cheese sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces

Black olives, sliced

1 pound spaghetti noodles

24 ounces pasta sauce

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, bread crumbs, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese until well combined.

3. Shape into 16 (2-inch) meatballs and place into a 9 x 13 baking dish.

4. Insert one piece of string cheese into each meatball, letting the end stick out.

5. Top each meatball with a slice of black olive.

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

7. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti as directed on package and drain.

8. Toss spaghetti with pasta sauce.

9. Serve meatballs over spaghetti.

Notes

Ground chicken or turkey may be substituted for the beef.

Use sliced cheese instead of string cheese for a different look.

If you don’t like olives, omit them for a “blind eyeball” effect.

Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 20
Category: Dinner
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 751 kcal
Sugar: 11 g
Sodium: 1629 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 100 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 50 g
Cholesterol: 125 mg