Name: Eyeball Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: Spinach pasta (any shape) – 12 ounces; Pasta sauce (your favorite, jarred or homemade) – 2 cups; String cheese – 2 sticks (about ½ per person); Black olives – 12 halves (or dark-skinned veggies like zucchini for alternative)

Description

Eyeball Pasta is a fun and spooky dish perfect for Halloween or themed dinners. Featuring vibrant spinach pasta topped with a flavorful pasta sauce and cute eyeball decorations made from string cheese and black olives, this recipe combines playful presentation with easy-to-make comfort food. Ready in just 25 minutes, it serves four and adds a creative twist to a simple pasta meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

Spinach pasta (any shape) – 12 ounces
Pasta sauce (your favorite, jarred or homemade) – 2 cups

Eyeball Decorations

String cheese – 2 sticks (about ½ per person)
Black olives – 12 halves (or dark-skinned veggies like zucchini for alternative)

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Instructions

Prepare the Eyeballs: Slice the black olives in half lengthwise to create the iris and pupil parts of the eyeballs. Then, use a straw to cut small circles from the string cheese slices, which will act as the whites of the eyes. Next, use the same straw to cut smaller pieces from the olive halves and insert these pieces into the cheese circles, forming realistic-looking eyeballs.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spinach pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot or a serving bowl.
Assemble the Dish: Pour the pasta sauce over the cooked spinach pasta and stir gently to combine. Transfer the sauced pasta to serving plates or a large serving dish. Carefully place the prepared cheese and olive eyeballs on top of the pasta to create a spooky and fun presentation perfect for themed occasions.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, ensure the pasta sauce is free from meat-based ingredients.
You can substitute black olives with small pieces of zucchini or other dark veggies if preferred or to avoid olives.
Use a clean, sturdy straw to easily cut circles from the string cheese without breaking.
This dish is best served immediately for best texture and presentation.
To make the eyeballs more secure on the pasta, you can lightly adhere them with a dab of pasta sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian