Go Back

Spooky Eyeball Pasta

This dish features pasta topped with meatball 'eyeballs' that are embedded in a rich tomato sauce. The meatballs are shaped to resemble eyeballs, complete with an olive pupil, and the sauce is creamy and flavorful, creating a playful, spooky presentation. The final texture combines tender pasta, juicy meatballs, and a smooth sauce with an eye-catching appearance.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pieces meatballs prepared or homemade small meatballs
  • 1 cup tomato sauce preferably smooth
  • 8 oz pasta spaghetti or other preferred shape
  • 4 small black olives pitted
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet or saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cooking spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds, until you smell the aroma and the garlic starts to turn golden.
  3. Add the tomato sauce to the skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to warm through and develop flavor.
  4. While the sauce simmers, prepare the meatball 'eyeballs.' Take each meatball and gently shape it into a round sphere if needed. Slice a black olive in half to create the pupil.
  5. Place a meatball into the sauce, gently nestling it so it is partially submerged. Top each meatball with a halved black olive, pressing slightly to secure the pupil in place. Repeat with all meatballs, creating a spooky row of eyeballs.
  6. Allow the meatballs to cook in the sauce for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally if needed, until heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly around them.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and carefully toss everything together until the pasta is coated evenly and the dish looks visually appealing with the floating eyeballs.
  8. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, allowing the spooky meatball 'eyeballs' to stand out visually and flavorfully.

Notes

For extra spooky effect, you can add a few more halved olives as pupils or garnish with chopped basil or parsley.