Description
Get ready to impress with this spooky spaghetti and cheesy monster meatballs recipe—a fun and easy dinner idea perfect for Halloween or any playful mealtime. Juicy homemade meatballs are topped with gooey melted cheese and olive “eyes,” sitting over a bed of rich, saucy spaghetti. This easy recipe blends comfort food with creativity, making it a fantastic choice for quick dinner ideas, family meals, or festive food ideas that everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp milk
12 oz spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
1/2 cup black olives sliced
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and milk until just combined.
2. Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a lined tray.
3. Chill the meatballs in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to help them hold shape.
4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake meatballs for 18–22 minutes until cooked through.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain.
6. Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté garlic, then add marinara sauce and chili flakes and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
7. Toss cooked spaghetti with the sauce until evenly coated.
8. Transfer spaghetti to a serving dish and place meatballs on top.
9. Sprinkle mozzarella over each meatball and broil for 2–4 minutes until melted and bubbly.
10. Add sliced olives on top of each meatball to create “eyes.”
11. Serve immediately while warm and cheesy.
Notes
Use a mix of beef and pork for juicier meatballs.
Freshly grated mozzarella melts better for the spooky effect.
Cook pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: spooky spaghetti, cheesy meatballs, Halloween dinner, easy dinner, comfort food