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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

This Spooky Spaghetti and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs recipe transforms a classic dinner into a fun and festive Halloween treat. Juicy meatballs are stuffed with gooey string cheese and topped with black olive slices to resemble eerie eyeballs. Served over a bed of perfectly sauced spaghetti, this dish combines playful presentation with comforting flavors, making it perfect for a family meal or themed party.

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 your oven to 375°F to get ready for baking the meatballs.
  2. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef with breadcrumbs, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese for flavor and texture.
  3. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs, approximately 2 inches in diameter for even cooking.
  4. Stuff the Meatballs: Insert a piece of string cheese into the center of each meatball, leaving part of the cheese protruding to mimic the white of an eyeball.
  5. Add the Eyeball Detail: Place a black olive slice on top of each meatball to represent the iris, enhancing the spooky look.
  6. Bake the Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in a baking dish and bake them in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F, ensuring they are fully cooked.
  7. Cook the Spaghetti: While the meatballs bake, cook spaghetti noodles in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and return to the pot.
  8. Add the Sauce: Pour the pasta sauce over the cooked spaghetti and stir well to coat every strand with flavorful sauce.
  9. Assemble the Dish: Plate the sauced spaghetti in a nest-like shape on each plate, creating the base for your spooky presentation.
  10. Top with Meatballs and Serve: Place 2-3 meatball “eyeballs” on top of each spaghetti nest. Serve immediately with optional sides like roasted green beans or garlic bread for a complete Halloween feast.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to make the meatballs leaner.
  • For a low-carb option, use zoodles instead of spaghetti noodles.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F for food safety.
  • Leftover meatballs and sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • Use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor, or plain if preferred.
  • Feel free to add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.

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