Get ready to serve up a frightfully delicious meal with this incredible Bloody Spaghetti! This is one of the most fun and easy Halloween Dinner Ideas you can make, turning a simple plate of spaghetti into a creepy, crawly masterpiece. This Spooky Spaghetti is tossed in a rich, vibrant “bloody” tomato sauce and topped with startlingly realistic mozzarella eyeballs. It’s the perfect main course for a Halloween Themed Dinner and a guaranteed showstopper that will delight ghouls and goblins of all ages.
Why This is One of the Best Halloween Pasta Recipes
When it comes to Creepy Dinner Ideas, this dish is a clear winner. It’s the perfect blend of spooky fun and delicious comfort food.
- Incredibly Thematic & Fun: The mozzarella “eyeballs” are easy to make and look fantastically spooky, making this a standout dish for any Halloween celebration.
- Delicious and Comforting: Beneath the spooky exterior is a classic, savory, and satisfying plate of spaghetti with a rich tomato sauce.
- Perfect for All Ages: This is fantastic Halloween Food For Kids because it’s fun and not too scary, but it’s also a great, kitschy centerpiece for an adult party, making it one of the best Halloween Food Ideas For Adults.
- Quick and Easy: The entire dish comes together with simple ingredients and minimal effort, perfect for a busy night of Halloween festivities.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses fresh, simple ingredients for a delicious and spooky result.
For the Bloody Spaghetti:
- 12 oz of spaghetti noodles
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can of crushed tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
For the Mozzarella Eyeballs:
- 12 small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- 6 black olives, pitted and sliced in half
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get ready to create the spookiest, most delicious pasta dinner ever!
Part 1: Cook the Pasta and Make the Eyeballs
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Create the Eyeballs: While the pasta cooks, make your spooky eyeballs. Take each fresh mozzarella ball and gently press a black olive slice into the center to create the “pupil.” For an extra creepy touch, you can use a toothpick dipped in the red sauce to draw little “bloodshot” veins on the mozzarella.
Part 2: Make the “Bloody” Sauce and Assemble
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and optional red chili flakes to the pan. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked spaghetti to the saucepan with the sauce and toss until every noodle is coated in the “bloody” sauce. Transfer the spaghetti to a large serving platter or individual plates.
- Add the Eyeballs: Gently arrange the prepared mozzarella eyeballs all over the top of the spaghetti, nestling them into the noodles. Serve immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How can I make this dish look even spookier? For the ultimate Spooky Spaghetti, try using black (squid ink) pasta instead of regular spaghetti! The dark black noodles create an incredible, high-contrast backdrop for the red sauce and the white mozzarella eyeballs, making the dish look even more dramatic and perfect for Halloween.
2. What are some good side dishes to serve with this? This is a fantastic main dish for Halloween Food For A Party. You can serve it alongside some “witch finger” garlic breadsticks or a simple green salad with a dark balsamic “potion” dressing to round out the meal.
3. Is this recipe too spicy for kids? This recipe is designed to be very kid-friendly. To ensure it’s not spicy, simply omit the optional red chili flakes from the sauce. The rest of the ingredients are mild and classic pasta flavors that kids love, making it a perfect example of fun Halloween Food For Kids.
4. Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal to save time on Halloween night. You can prepare the “bloody” tomato sauce up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also make the mozzarella eyeballs a day ahead and store them separately. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the sauce, cook your pasta fresh, and toss everything together.
Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs: A Spooky Halloween Dinner
Equipment
- Large pot For boiling spaghetti
- Large skillet or saucepan For simmering the sauce
- Wooden spoon For stirring sauce
- Toothpick For drawing creepy veins on mozzarella eyeballs
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- 6 whole black olives, pitted and sliced in half
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the eyeballs: Press a black olive slice into the center of each mozzarella ball to create ‘pupils.’ For a creepier touch, draw red sauce ‘veins’ on the mozzarella with a toothpick.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes. Stir well and simmer 10–15 minutes to let flavors develop.
- Toss cooked spaghetti with the tomato sauce until fully coated. Transfer to a serving dish.
- Arrange mozzarella eyeballs on top of spaghetti, nestling them into the noodles. Serve immediately for maximum spooky effect.