Description
This fun and spooky Eyeball Pasta recipe is perfect for Halloween or any playful mealtime. Featuring vibrant spinach pasta topped with your favorite pasta sauce and adorable eyeball-shaped garnishes made from string cheese and black olives, it combines easy preparation with festive flair. Ready in just 25 minutes, it serves four people and is great for bringing a creative touch to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Pasta
- Spinach pasta (any shape) – 12 ounces
- Your favorite pasta sauce (jarred or homemade) – about 2 cups
Eyeball Garnishes
- String cheese – 2 sticks (about ½ per person)
- Black olives (or dark-skinned veggies like zucchini) – 12 olives
Instructions
- Prepare the Eyeballs: Slice the black olives in half lengthwise to create a dark center. Using a straw, cut small circular pieces from the string cheese sticks to act as the white part of the eyeball. Then, cut smaller circles from the olives using the same straw, placing each olive piece into the cheese circles to form realistic eyeballs.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spinach pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well.
- Assemble the Dish: Return the cooked pasta to the pot or a serving bowl and stir in the pasta sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the pasta to serving plates, then carefully place the prepared cheese-and-olive eyeballs on top for a spooky visual effect. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a wide straw for cutting cheese and olives to create clear eyeball shapes.
- If black olives are not available, small pieces of dark zucchini skin or black beans can be used as an alternative.
- This dish is best served fresh to enjoy the texture of the string cheese eyeballs.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure your pasta sauce contains no meat products.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the pasta with gluten-free spinach pasta.
