This spooky Halloween Eyeball Pasta Salad is as fun to make as it is to eat! With colorful pasta, olives for eyeballs, and a creamy dressing, it’s perfect for your Halloween gathering.
Every bite is a little scary and a lot tasty! I love serving this at parties—the kids get such a kick out of the “eyeballs.” Just don’t blame me if they won’t stop saying “Eww!” 😂
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Rotini Pasta: I love using green and orange-colored rotini for that Halloween vibe! If you can’t find colored pasta, regular rotini works just fine. You can even use bowtie pasta for a fun twist!
Marinara Sauce: A good marinara sauce gives the dish lots of flavor. You can substitute with a store-bought pasta sauce if that’s what you have. Homemade is great if you have time, and it adds a personal touch!
Mozzarella Balls: Bocconcini or ciliegine are perfect for the eyeballs. If you’re dairy-free, check out vegan cheese options that come in small balls or even make your own from cashews!
Green Food Coloring: This is optional for the eyeballs but adds a fun detail. If you prefer, you can skip it or use fresh herbs as a natural alternative. Spinach puree can also give a green tint!
Black Olives: They make great pupils for the eyeballs. If you don’t like olives, consider using small dark grapes instead. It keeps the look eerie, and the sweetness is a nice contrast!
How Do You Shape the Eyeballs in Your Pasta Salad?
Making the eyeballs is a fun and creative step! Here’s how you can make them look great:
- Start with your mozzarella balls. They should be small so they fit nicely in your salad.
- If using food coloring, you can dip a brush in it or use an edible marker to draw a circle around each cheese ball to resemble an iris.
- Next, place a whole black olive right on top of each mozzarella ball. It should fit snugly, creating that creepy eye effect!
Take your time with this step; the wow factor is definitely in how fun these eyeballs look when you’re done!
Halloween Eyeball Pasta Salad
Ingredients List:
For the Salad:
- 8 oz rotini pasta (green and orange colored preferred for the Halloween theme)
- 1 1/2 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 10 mozzarella balls (small size, like bocconcini or ciliegine)
- Green food coloring or edible green marker
- 10 pitted black olives (whole and some sliced)
- 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes
- Optional: carrot slices for decoration
Time Needed:
This delicious Halloween Eyeball Pasta Salad takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus a short chill time if you prefer it cold. It’s quick and easy to make, leaving you plenty of time to scare up some Halloween fun!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. You want it to be tender but still firm (al dente). Once it’s done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. Set the pasta aside for later.
2. Arrange the Pasta:
Take a large serving bowl and arrange the cooked pasta in it. Alternate the colors by forming sections of green and orange pasta around the edges. This colorful base will make your salad even more festive!
3. Add the Sauce:
Next, pour the marinara or spaghetti sauce into the center of the pasta. This red sauce will act as the “blood” of your Halloween salad, adding both flavor and a spooky touch.
4. Prepare the Eyeballs:
For the eyeballs, take the small mozzarella balls and get creative! If you want, gently paint or draw a green iris around the center of each mozzarella ball using green food coloring or an edible marker. This extra step will really make your eyeballs pop!
5. Assemble the Eyeballs:
Now it’s time to create the pupils. Place a whole pitted black olive on top of each mozzarella ball, making sure it fits snugly. Repeat this for all the mozzarella balls until you have a creepy little collection of eyeballs!
6. Garnish the Salad:
Carefully place the prepared eyeballs on top of the marinara sauce in the center of the pasta bowl. Then, randomly add the yellow cherry tomatoes and some whole or sliced pitted black olives around the eyeballs. This adds an extra spooky decorum to your pasta salad.
7. Add Final Touches:
If you like, you can add sliced carrots around the pasta to enhance the Halloween colors, providing additional texture and crunch!
8. Chill and Serve:
If you prefer your pasta salad chilled, cover it and place it in the fridge briefly before serving. Otherwise, you can serve it right away! This spooky yet tasty dish is sure to be a hit at your Halloween party, with creamy mozzarella eyeballs floating in bright red sauce and colorful pasta spirals surrounding the scene!
Can I Use Different Pasta Shapes?
Absolutely! While rotini is a great choice for holding onto the sauce, you can use any pasta shape you like. Bowties, penne, or even spaghetti would work well. Just make sure it cooks to al dente for the best texture!
How Long Can I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a quick stir before serving again, as the sauce may settle. You can enjoy it cold or reheat it on the stove or in the microwave!
Can I Make This Salad in Advance?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours ahead of time! Just leave off the eyeballs until you’re ready to serve, so they stay fresh. Keep it covered in the fridge, and then add the eyeballs right before serving for the best presentation!
What If I Don’t Like Olives?
No problem at all! If olives aren’t your thing, you can substitute them with small dark grapes or even cherry tomatoes for the “pupils.” The salad will still look spooky and delicious without them!