Description

Spooky Spaghetti and Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs is a fun and festive Halloween dinner recipe featuring juicy meatballs stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection and served over spaghetti tossed in marinara sauce. The spooky eyes made of black olives and thin mozzarella slices add a playful touch that’s perfect for festive family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

1 pound ground beef
½ pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8–10 small cubes of mozzarella cheese

Spaghetti and Sauce

12 ounces spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce

Garnish and Decoration (Optional)

Sliced black olives (for spooky eyes)
Thinly sliced mozzarella (for spooky eyes)
Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the oven and meatball mixture: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
Form cheese-stuffed meatballs: Divide the meat mixture into 8–10 equal portions. Flatten each portion in your hand, place one small mozzarella cube in the center, then carefully wrap the meat around the cheese to form a sealed ball, ensuring the cheese stays inside during baking.
Bake the meatballs: Place the cheese-stuffed meatballs on a lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, until the meat is cooked through and the exterior is nicely browned.
Cook the spaghetti: While the meatballs bake, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and combine with warmed marinara sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
Assemble the spooky presentation: Serve the baked meatballs on top of the spaghetti with marinara. For a spooky Halloween touch, top each meatball with a thin slice of mozzarella and a slice of black olive to create ‘eyes’. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a touch of color.

Notes

For extra cheesy meatballs, substitute the mozzarella cubes with string cheese cut into chunks.
Use food-safe edible eyes or creatively cut olive slices to make fun faces for a more festive Halloween presentation.
Make sure to seal the cheese well inside the meatballs to prevent it from leaking out during baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American-Italian