Description
This spooky yet delicious Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs recipe combines classic spaghetti with a rich marinara and ground beef sauce, topped with mozzarella and black olives to create eerie edible eyeballs, perfect for Halloween or themed dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400 g spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 jar (500 g) marinara sauce
- Red food coloring (optional, for a bloodier effect)
Eyeball Topping
- 200 g small mozzarella balls
- 1 cup black olives, sliced in half
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they are soft and translucent, releasing their aromas.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula. Cook until browned throughout, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to add depth of flavor.
- Add Marinara Sauce and Simmer: Pour the jar of marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned beef mixture. Optionally, add a few drops of red food coloring to intensify the blood-like appearance. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken and blend flavors.
- Prepare the Mozzarella Eyeballs: While the sauce simmers, slice the small mozzarella balls in half. Top each half with a sliced black olive to mimic the appearance of an eyeball, creating a fun and spooky garnish.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet with the marinara and ground beef sauce, stirring thoroughly to ensure every strand is coated with the ‘bloody’ sauce.
- Assemble and Serve: Transfer the spaghetti onto a large serving platter. Arrange the mozzarella eyeballs evenly on top, giving the dish its eerie ‘bloody eyeball’ look. Garnish with fresh basil leaves to add a pop of green and fresh aroma.
- Enjoy Immediately: Serve the Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs while hot to enjoy the full flavor and spooky presentation.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of red food coloring depending on how intense you want the ‘bloody’ effect to be.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version, respectively.
- The mozzarella eyeballs can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.
