Description

Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs is a fun and spooky twist on classic spaghetti marinara, perfect for Halloween or themed parties. Ground beef is simmered in a rich marinara sauce, enhanced with optional red food coloring for a bloodier effect. The dish is topped with mozzarella balls decorated with black olive slices to resemble eerie eyeballs, creating a visually striking and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti

400 g spaghetti

Sauce and Meat

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
500 g ground beef
1 jar (500 g) marinara sauce
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Red food coloring (optional, for a bloodier effect)

Toppings

1 cup black olives, sliced in half
200 g small mozzarella balls
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
Brown the Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the beef is browned all over. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning for added flavor.
Simmer Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked beef mixture. Optionally, add a few drops of red food coloring to intensify the bloody effect. Let the sauce gently simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
Prepare Mozzarella Eyeballs: While the sauce simmers, slice the mozzarella balls in half. Place a sliced black olive half on each mozzarella piece to create an eyeball appearance.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked spaghetti thoroughly with the simmered marinara and beef sauce until all the pasta is well-coated.
Assemble the Dish: Serve the sauced spaghetti on a large platter. Arrange the mozzarella eyeballs evenly on top, providing a spooky visual effect resembling eyeballs within the ‘bloody’ pasta.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms.
If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes during the sautéing stage.
Red food coloring is optional and mainly for enhancing visual appeal; it does not change the flavor.
Use fresh mozzarella balls for the best texture and appearance in the eyeball topping.
Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.