Description
A Halloween dinner that delivers both fun and comfort! These Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs feature juicy, homemade meatballs blanketed in melty mozzarella ghost “capes” and finished with black olive eyes. They sit over a bed of saucy spaghetti, making it a playful yet satisfying dinner idea. Great for weeknights, Halloween food parties, or fun pasta recipes the whole family will love.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups marinara sauce
8 oz spaghetti
8 slices mozzarella cheese
16 black olive slices
Instructions
1. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Roll mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. While meatballs bake, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss with marinara.
5. Arrange spaghetti on serving plates and top with meatballs.
6. Immediately place a slice of mozzarella over each meatball so it melts slightly.
7. Press two olive slices into each cheese-draped meatball to form eyes.
8. Serve warm with extra sauce if desired.
Notes
For extra gooey cheese, broil the mozzarella-topped meatballs for 1–2 minutes.
Make the meatball mix ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Use mini mozzarella balls halved for smaller “ghosts” on appetizer portions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking + Boiling
- Cuisine: American/Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: quick dinner, halloween food, pasta recipe, cheesy meatballs, spooky spaghetti