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Spooky Spaghetti and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

Spooky Spaghetti and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs offer a fun and festive twist on classic pasta and meatballs. These oven-baked meatballs are stuffed with gooey string cheese and topped with black olive slices to resemble eerie eyeballs, served atop a comforting bed of perfectly sauced spaghetti. Ideal for a Halloween-themed dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients with playful presentation for a delicious and visually engaging meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb. ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • 1 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 sticks of string cheese, cut into 4 pieces each (16 total)
  • 1 small can of black olives, sliced

Pasta

  • 1 lb. spaghetti noodles (or zoodles for a low-carb option)
  • 24 oz. jar of your favorite pasta sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball “Eyeballs”: Preheat the oven to 375°F to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the meatballs.
  2. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until just combined to maintain tenderness.
  3. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 2 inches in diameter each, to ensure uniform cooking.
  4. Add Cheese Eyeballs: Insert a piece of string cheese into the center of each meatball, leaving a bit of cheese protruding to mimic the whites of an eyeball.
  5. Create the Iris: Place a slice of black olive on top of each meatball, representing the iris of the spooky eyeball.
  6. Bake the Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until their internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
  7. Cook the Pasta: While the meatballs bake, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water following package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
  8. Mix Pasta with Sauce: Pour the pasta sauce over the cooked noodles and stir gently to evenly coat the spaghetti with the sauce.
  9. Assemble the Dish: Divide the sauced spaghetti into serving plates, creating a nest-like base for the meatballs for a visually appealing presentation.
  10. Top with Meatballs: Place 2-3 cheesy eyeball meatballs on top of each nest of spaghetti to complete the spooky theme.
  11. Serve: Offer with optional sides such as roasted green beans (nicknamed “witch’s fingers”) or garlic bread to complement the meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Using zoodles instead of spaghetti makes this recipe low-carb and suitable for ketogenic diets.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of meatballs reaches 160°F for safe consumption.
  • For added flavor, consider seasoning the pasta sauce with fresh herbs or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Find it online: https://tastytablemagic.com/spooky-spaghetti-and-cheese-stuffed-meatballs-recipe/