Spooky Spaghetti with Eyeball Meatballs
The scariest thing about these frightful eyeball meatballs is how delicious they are. Savory Italian-style meatballs get dressed up with a homemade parmesan cream sauce and black olives "eyes" that will be a hit with both little monsters and big.
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2-4
| Ingredients: | |
| For the meatballs | |
| 1 lb. | Ground Beef |
| 1/4 cup | Zucchini, grated |
| 2 T | Yellow Onion, grated |
| 1/2 T | Italian Parsley, chopped |
| 1 | Garlic Clove, minced |
| 1 | Large Egg |
| 1 T | Marinara Sauce |
| 2 T | Parmesan, grated |
| 2 T | Breadcrumbs |
| 1 tsp | Italian seasoning |
| 1/2 tsp | Kosher salt |
| 1/8 tsp | Black Pepper |
| 1/8 tsp | Red Pepper Flakes (optional) |
| For the pasta: | |
| 2 T | Butter |
| 2 T | Flour |
| 1 | Garlic Clove, minced |
| 1 1/2 cups | Milk |
| 2 T | Parmesan, grated |
| 1/4 tsp | Salt |
| 4 oz. | Dried pasta |
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, marinara, grated vegetables, herbs, seasoning, cheese, and breadcrumbs.
- Add ground beef to bowl and mix by hand, incorporating all ingredients without overworking the meat.
- Form into golf-size balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, rotating pan and turning meatballs halfway through cooking.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by melting butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently and making sure to not let the garlic brown.
- Add in flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook the flour. Remove from heat and whisk in milk.
- Place skillet back on low heat and whisk for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Set ¼ cup of sauce aside for the “whites of the eyeballs." Use remaining sauce to coat 4 ounces of cooked spaghetti.
- Cook 4 ounces of dried pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and place in the skillet with béchamel. Use tongs to gently coat, then transfer to a serving bowl.
- Place meatballs on top of pasta, then add a ½ teaspoon of sauce to top of each meatball, followed by sliced olives.
- Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese, if desired, or to make the eyeballs look “bloodshot,” sprinkle with crushed red pepper for heat, or ground paprika.
