Spaghetti Brain Bake
This spooky Spaghetti Brain Bake is the ultimate Halloween dinner centerpiece! Classic cheesy baked spaghetti and meat sauce are molded into the shape of a brain, then drizzled with extra 'bloody' marinara sauce for a gory, delicious, and show-stopping dish your guests will never forget.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Dome-shaped baking bowl or bundt pan
- Serving platter
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- few drops red food coloring (for extra 'bloody' sauce)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and sauté until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, draining excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce (add red food coloring if using) and simmer 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a dome-shaped oven-safe bowl or bundt pan.
- Toss cooked spaghetti with meat sauce. Layer half in the prepared pan. Spread cheese mixture evenly, then top with remaining spaghetti mixture, pressing gently.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, until heated through and bubbly. Cool 10 minutes.
- Invert onto a serving platter to unmold. Drizzle with extra marinara for a gory look. Slice and serve hot.
Notes
For extra creepiness, drizzle with extra sauce just before serving. You can also add thin strips of roasted red pepper as 'veins.'