Pesto Eyeball Pasta

Pesto Eyeball Pasta: A Spooky, Savory Halloween Dinner

If you’re looking for a spooky, yet delicious dish to serve at your Halloween party, look no further than Pesto Eyeball Pasta! This eerie dish takes a traditional pesto pasta and gives it a creepy twist by adding mozzarella “eyeballs” with olive “pupils.” It’s not only fun to look at but also packed with flavor, making it the perfect balance of festive and tasty. Whether you’re throwing a Halloween dinner party or just making something fun for your family, this dish is sure to be a hit.

The first time I made Pesto Eyeball Pasta, it was for a Halloween party, and I wanted something that would look spooky but still taste delicious. I love pesto because it’s fresh, flavorful, and easy to make, so I decided to give it a creepy Halloween twist by adding eyeballs made of mozzarella and olives. The result was an eye-catching (pun intended) dish that everyone enjoyed. It’s become a tradition every year, and it’s always a conversation starter at the table.

Pesto Eyeball Pasta is perfect for a Halloween dinner because it’s quick to prepare, visually impressive, and fun for both kids and adults. Plus, it’s versatile—you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Whether you use store-bought pesto for convenience or make your own fresh batch, the vibrant green color contrasts perfectly with the eerie mozzarella eyeballs, creating a dish that’s both festive and flavorful.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fun and Festive: Pesto Eyeball Pasta adds the perfect spooky touch to your Halloween celebration. The mozzarella and olive eyeballs make it look creepy, but the delicious pesto sauce ensures it tastes amazing.

Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a Halloween dinner when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Customizable: You can use any type of pasta, swap out the pesto for another sauce, or even add protein like chicken or sausage to make the dish heartier. You can also make it vegetarian or gluten-free depending on your preferences.

Family-Friendly: Kids love the fun “eyeballs” and the bright green pesto sauce, while adults appreciate the fresh, savory flavors. It’s a crowd-pleaser for guests of all ages.

Perfect for Halloween Parties: Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking for a spooky dinner idea, Pesto Eyeball Pasta is a great way to add a touch of Halloween fun to your menu. It’s an easy dish to make in large quantities and can be served as a main course or as part of a buffet spread.

Preparation Time and Servings

Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Servings: Serves 4-6
Calories per serving: Approximately 450 calories (without added protein)

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 1 pound pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite type)
• 1 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Eyeballs:

• 12-16 small mozzarella balls (also known as bocconcini or ciliegine)
• 6-8 black olives, sliced into rounds
• 6-8 green olives with pimentos, sliced into rounds (optional, for variety)
• 2 tablespoons pesto or olive oil (to coat the mozzarella balls)

For Homemade Pesto (optional):

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup pine nuts (or walnuts, for a more budget-friendly option)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the cooking water in case you need it to thin out the sauce later.

2. Make the Pesto (if using homemade)

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto if you’re making it from scratch. In a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Pulse a few times to break down the ingredients. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice, if using. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

3. Prepare the Mozzarella Eyeballs

To create the spooky “eyeballs,” take the small mozzarella balls and place one olive slice on top of each to resemble the pupil. If you want variety, you can use a mix of black and green olives to create different “eyeball” looks. To help the olives stick to the mozzarella, you can dab a little pesto or olive oil onto the mozzarella ball before placing the olive on top. Set the prepared eyeballs aside.

4. Combine the Pasta and Pesto

In a large bowl or the same pot used to cook the pasta, toss the cooked pasta with the pesto sauce, ensuring all the noodles are evenly coated. If the pesto is too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta cooking water to help thin it out. Add grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.

5. Plate the Pasta and Add the Eyeballs

Divide the pesto pasta among individual plates or transfer it to a large serving dish. Carefully arrange the mozzarella eyeballs on top of the pasta, placing them in random spots so it looks like the pasta is covered in creepy eyeballs. You can even tuck some of the mozzarella eyeballs into the pasta for a “hidden” effect.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the Pesto Eyeball Pasta immediately, while the pasta is still warm. For extra spooky vibes, dim the lights and serve the dish with Halloween-themed decorations around the table. If you’re serving it at a party, place the pasta on a large platter and let guests serve themselves, making sure they grab a few eyeballs with their serving.

How to Serve

• For a Halloween Dinner: Pesto Eyeball Pasta is perfect as a main course for a Halloween-themed dinner. Serve it with a simple green salad and some garlic bread on the side for a complete meal. You can even add roasted chicken or sausage to the pasta if you want to make it heartier.
• For a Halloween Party: If you’re serving this dish at a Halloween party, set it out as part of a buffet table with other spooky appetizers. You can serve it in a large cauldron or pot to add to the creepy Halloween atmosphere!
• For Kids: If you’re making this for kids, they’ll love the fun, silly eyeball look. Pair it with other Halloween-themed snacks like ghost-shaped sandwiches or pumpkin-shaped fruit for a complete spooky meal.

Additional Tips

1. Make It Gluten-Free: To make this dish gluten-free, simply swap out the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta. The rest of the recipe stays the same.

2. Add Protein: If you want to make this dish more filling, you can add grilled chicken, sausage, or even meatballs to the pasta. For a vegetarian option, try adding roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.

3. Use Different Olives: Experiment with different olives to create unique “eyeballs.” You can use green olives with pimentos for a red “pupil” or stuffed olives for extra texture and flavor.

4. Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: When tossing the pasta with the pesto, adding a little bit of the reserved pasta cooking water helps the sauce coat the noodles evenly and prevents the pesto from clumping. Start with a tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.

5. Make It Vegan: To make this dish vegan, use a dairy-free pesto (available in most grocery stores) and substitute vegan mozzarella balls for the eyeballs. You can find vegan mozzarella at many health food stores or larger supermarkets.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Eyeball Pasta: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pesto sauce or drizzle some chili oil over the top of the pasta for a spicy kick.

2. Cheesy Eyeball Pasta: For extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella or Parmesan over the pasta before adding the mozzarella eyeballs.

3. Halloween “Worm” Pasta: If you want to make the pasta look even creepier, use long, thin pasta like spaghetti or linguine to resemble worms. Toss the pasta with black food coloring to make it look even more monstrous!

4. Squid Ink Pasta: For a truly eerie look, use squid ink pasta. The black pasta contrasts beautifully with the green pesto and white mozzarella eyeballs, creating a stunning visual effect.

5. Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto: If you’re not a fan of traditional pesto, try using sun-dried tomato pesto instead. The deep red color of the tomato pesto adds another spooky element to the dish and pairs well with the mozzarella eyeballs.

Freezing and Storage

Storage: Leftover Pesto Eyeball Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the pasta dries out, simply toss it with

a little extra olive oil or a spoonful of pesto before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat the pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. If the pasta has absorbed too much sauce while sitting in the fridge, add a tablespoon of olive oil or a little water to loosen it up.

Freezing: While the pesto pasta itself can be frozen, it’s best to freeze it without the mozzarella eyeballs, as the texture of the mozzarella may change after freezing. To freeze, simply store the pasta and pesto in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before adding fresh mozzarella eyeballs.

Special Equipment

1. Food Processor: A food processor is essential for making homemade pesto. If you don’t have one, you can use a blender, but you may need to stop and scrape down the sides more frequently.

2. Large Pot: You’ll need a large pot to boil the pasta and a colander to drain it once it’s cooked.

3. Large Serving Platter: If you’re serving this dish at a Halloween party, a large serving platter or shallow dish is perfect for displaying the pasta and “eyeballs.”

FAQ

Can I use store-bought pesto?
Absolutely! Store-bought pesto works perfectly for this recipe and is a great time-saver. If you’re short on time, feel free to use your favorite brand of pesto.

Can I make the pesto ahead of time?
Yes, pesto can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Just make sure to cover it with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent it from browning.

How do I prevent the mozzarella from sliding off the olives?
To keep the olive “pupils” in place on the mozzarella balls, dab a little pesto or olive oil on the mozzarella before placing the olive slice on top. The oil acts as an adhesive and helps the olives stick.

Can I add vegetables to the pasta?
Yes! Feel free to add roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes to the pasta for extra flavor and texture.

Conclusion

Pesto Eyeball Pasta is the ultimate spooky yet delicious Halloween dish that will wow your guests. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween dinner party or looking for a fun meal to serve your family, this recipe is easy to make, flavorful, and full of festive flair. The combination of fresh pesto, pasta, and mozzarella “eyeballs” creates a fun and creepy presentation that’s perfect for the Halloween season. Plus, it’s versatile enough to adapt to your preferences, whether you want to add protein, spice it up, or keep it vegetarian. So gather your ingredients and get ready to serve up a creepy, delicious dinner that will have everyone talking! Happy Halloween! 🎃👀

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