Okay, Halloween is *the* best, right? But sometimes coming up with dinner that’s both fun *and* edible feels like a total nightmare. Enter: My Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs! Seriously, this isn’t just another boring bowl of pasta. We’re talking googly-eyed monster meatballs swimming in a sea of spooky spaghetti. It’s a guaranteed hit with the kiddos (and, let’s be honest, the grown-ups too!).
I’ve been making this for my family for years. My little monsters absolutely go bonkers for it! We’ve tweaked it, taste-tested it (a lot!), and finally landed on the perfect recipe that’s both easy to whip up and totally delicious. Trust me, seeing their faces light up when I bring this to the table? Best. Feeling. Ever.
And hey, I’m all about making life easier. So, this Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs recipe is super straightforward. Even if you’re not exactly a whiz in the kitchen, you can totally nail this. Let’s get spooky!
Why You’ll Love This Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs Recipe
Quick and Easy Halloween Dinner
Listen, I get it. Halloween’s crazy! This recipe is a lifesaver because it’s seriously fast. You can whip it up in under an hour, which gives you more time for costumes and candy corn, right? Score!
Fun and Festive for Kids
Okay, the monster meatballs are *the* best part. I mean, who can resist those googly eyes? It’s way more exciting than plain old spaghetti, and it gets even picky eaters excited about dinner. It’s like an edible Halloween decoration!
Customizable to Your Taste
Don’t be afraid to get creative! Got a picky eater? Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey. Need a gluten-free option? Use your favorite gluten-free pasta! This recipe is super flexible, so you can totally make it your own.
Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs Ingredients
Alright, let’s gather our spooky supplies! Here’s what you’ll need to make this monster of a meal. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty basic stuff, and trust me, the end result is totally worth it!
- 1 pound spaghetti – I usually grab the regular kind, but whole wheat works great too!
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce – Feel free to use your fave brand, or even better, your own homemade sauce if you’re feeling fancy!
- 1 pound ground beef – I usually go for 80/20, it gives the meatballs a good flavor.
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs – Plain or Italian seasoned, whatever you have on hand!
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – The powdery kind in the green can is totally fine!
- 1 large egg, beaten – Just give it a quick whisk before you toss it in.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Because everything’s better with garlic, right?
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Just regular table salt is perfect.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly ground is always best, but pre-ground works too.
- 12 mozzarella cheese balls – These are the small, fresh mozzarella balls, like the kind you see in salads.
- Black olives, sliced – You’ll want the black olives that are already pitted. I usually slice them in half so they look like pupils!
How to Make The Best Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t worry, it’s way easier than it looks. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a spooky-licious dinner on the table in no time!
Preparing the Monster Meatballs
First, let’s get those monster meatballs going! In a big bowl, dump in your ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Now, get your hands in there and mix it all up! Don’t be shy, but don’t overmix it either – you want it just combined. Roll the mixture into 12 big meatballs. Pop them onto a baking sheet, and into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven they go! Bake ’em for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re cooked all the way through. Trust me, nobody wants a raw meatball surprise!
Cooking the Spooky Spaghetti
While those meatballs are baking, let’s tackle the spaghetti. Cook it according to the package directions – al dente is the way to go! While the pasta’s doing its thing, pour your marinara sauce into a saucepan and heat it up over medium heat. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add a little extra garlic or some red pepper flakes for a kick!
Assembling Your Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
Alright, time to get spooky! Drain your spaghetti and divide it among your plates. Then, spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over the top. Now, carefully place a few monster meatballs on each serving. Here’s the fun part: Grab your mozzarella balls and place one on top of each meatball. Then, take your sliced black olives and stick ’em onto the mozzarella balls to create those googly monster eyes! Isn’t that just the cutest (and spookiest!) thing ever? Now dig in and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
Okay, wanna take your Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs from “meh” to “monster-ously” amazing? Here are my top tips for nailing this recipe every single time!
First, don’t skimp on the ingredients! I mean, good quality ground beef makes a HUGE difference in the meatball flavor. Trust me on this one. Also, be super careful not to overcook your spaghetti. Nobody likes mushy noodles, right? Aim for al dente – a little bit firm to the bite.
And speaking of cooking, make sure those meatballs are cooked all the way through! A little pink inside is a no-go. Use a thermometer if you’re worried – they should hit 160°F (71°C). Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with the “eyes”! You can even use small pieces of provolone if you’re out of mozzarella balls. Have fun with it!
Ingredient Notes and Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs Substitutions
So, let’s talk swapsies! Maybe you’re out of something, or maybe you just wanna mix things up. No problem! This Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs recipe is super forgiving.
First off, the pasta. If you’re gluten-free, obvious choice: gluten-free spaghetti! There are tons of great brands out there now, so find one you love. For vegetarian meatballs? I’ve had great luck with the plant-based ground beef crumbles. Just follow the meatball recipe as is, but swap out the beef. As for the cheese, if you can’t find those little mozzarella balls, just cut bigger mozzarella into cubes. Or, hey, provolone works great too! It’s all about making it work for *you*!
Serving Suggestions for Your Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
Okay, so you’ve got your Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs ready to go. Awesome! But what should you serve with it? Garlic bread is always a winner, right? I also love a simple side salad with a little vinaigrette. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, some roasted veggies like broccoli or green beans add a nice healthy touch! Yum!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
Can I make these Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs ahead of time?
Totally! You can make the meatballs and sauce a day or two in advance. Just store them separately in the fridge and then combine when you’re ready to serve. Easy peasy!
What if I don’t have mozzarella balls?
No worries! Just cube up some regular mozzarella or even provolone. You could even use little slices of cheddar for a different look! The monster eyes are all about being creative!
How do I make this Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs recipe vegetarian?
Super simple! Just swap out the ground beef for your favorite plant-based ground. There are tons of great options out there now that taste amazing in meatballs!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Alright, so everyone always wants to know the nitty-gritty, right? Here’s a *very* rough estimate of the nutritional info for one serving of my Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs. Keep in mind, this is just a ballpark, okay? It’s tough to be exact! We’re looking at roughly 450 calories, 20g of fat, 25g of protein, and 45g of carbs. But hey, it’s Halloween – a little indulgence is totally allowed!
Enjoy Your Spooky Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs!
Okay, go get your spook on! And hey, if you make this, please leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! Bonus points for pics!
Print
Unleash Delicious Spooky Spaghetti & Monster Meatballs
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun and spooky Halloween-themed spaghetti dish with cheesy monster meatballs.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 mozzarella cheese balls
- Black olives, sliced
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- While spaghetti is cooking, prepare the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Shape mixture into 12 large meatballs.
- Bake meatballs in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While meatballs are baking, heat marinara sauce in a saucepan.
- Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Drain spaghetti and divide among plates.
- Top with marinara sauce and meatballs.
- Place a mozzarella ball on top of each meatball for the monster ‘eye’.
- Add sliced black olives to the mozzarella balls to create pupils.
Notes
- You can use your favorite spaghetti sauce recipe instead of jarred sauce.
- Add vegetables like chopped onions, bell peppers or zucchini to the meatballs.
- Use different cheeses, like cheddar or provolone, for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
