Eyeball Pasta Bake
Impress your family with this fun and delicious Eyeball Pasta Bake, featuring pasta, seasoned meat, and creative 'eyeballs' made of meatballs and olives, perfect for Halloween or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta and Base
- 1 lb penne or rigatoni
- 32 oz marinara sauce jarred or homemade
Meat and Cheese
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, or sausage)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional for topping)
Veggies and Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Garnish
- ½ cup olives (black or green slices) to use as 'pupils' in meatballs
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Gather and prepare all your ingredients.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Cooking Pasta
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and set aside to cool slightly.
Make Meat Mixture
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a splash of oil. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground meat and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
Season and Combine Ingredients
- Season the meat mixture with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Mix well to combine.
Prepare for Baking
- Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Form small meatballs from the meat mixture, press mozzarella cheese into the center before sealing, and place them on top of the pasta.
- Top meatballs with olive slices to create 'eyeballs'.
Bake and Serve
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, and serve hot.
Notes
Feel free to customize the recipe by using gluten-free pasta or plant-based meat alternatives. This dish is perfect for Halloween gatherings, family dinners, and movie nights.