This fun Eyeball Pasta Bake is sure to make dinner a little spooky! With pasta, meatballs, and gooey cheese, it’s perfect for Halloween or any time you want to impress your family with something creative.
The meatballs are shaped to look like eyeballs, with olives as the pupils. It’s silly and delicious! I love serving it with a salad for a complete meal—easy and a hit with kids and adults alike!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Penne Pasta: This is my go-to pasta for bakes because its shape holds sauce well. If you don’t have penne, try rigatoni or rotini—both work nicely and add a fun touch!
Ground Meat: I often use ground beef for its flavor and richness. You can swap it out for turkey, chicken or even a meat substitute like lentils or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian twist!
Hard-Boiled Eggs: The key to creating the “eyeballs”! Use fresh eggs for the best results. If you want a different look, you can substitute with mozzarella balls, just remember to skip the olive “pupil”.
Olives: I love black olives for the classic look of the pupil. You can use green olives too, or even cut circles from cooked carrots for a surprise color!
How Can You Perfectly Cook Hard-Boiled Eggs?
Getting hard-boiled eggs just right is essential! Here are my tried-and-true steps for perfect eggs:
- Place eggs in a pot and cover them with water by an inch.
- Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cover the pot. Let it sit for 9-12 minutes depending on how firm you like the yolk.
- Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool for at least 5 minutes. This makes them easier to peel!
By following these steps, you’ll have perfectly hard-boiled eggs that are easy to work with for your Eyeball Pasta Bake!
Eyeball Pasta Bake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Pasta and Filling:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
Cheese and Eggs:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
Garnishes and Seasoning:
- 6 black olives, sliced into rings (or green olives for the iris)
- 6 small slices pimento or red bell pepper (for iris color)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Eyeball Pasta Bake takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to bake, for a total of about 45 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a quick family dinner that adds a spooky touch to your mealtime!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is key as it ensures your pasta bake cooks evenly and the cheese gets nice and bubbly!
2. Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside. This helps the pasta hold its shape when mixed with the sauce.
3. Prepare the Meat Mixture:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent—this usually takes around 3-4 minutes.
4. Cook the Meat:
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage into the skillet. Use a spoon to break it apart, cooking until browned and no longer pink. Make sure to stir occasionally for even cooking!
5. Add Vegetables:
Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 4-5 minutes until they are soft. This adds a wonderful depth of flavor to your dish!
6. Combine with Sauce:
Next, pour the marinara sauce and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, and taste to adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
7. Mix the Pasta and Sauce:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the meat sauce mixture until the pasta is well coated. It’s okay to get in there with your hands or a big spoon to mix it well!
8. Assemble the Bake:
Transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Then, arrange the peeled hard-boiled eggs over this layer, pressing them in slightly so they don’t float away.
9. Finish Assembling:
Next, layer the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over the eggs, ensuring they are well covered.
10. Sprinkle with Cheese:
Top this delicious pasta bake with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface, which will turn into a delightful golden crust!
11. Create the Eyeballs:
To make your dish truly spooky, place one olive ring on top of each hard-boiled egg to act as the pupil. Add a small slice of pimento or red bell pepper above the olive for a splash of color and to simulate the iris of the eyeball.
12. Bake:
Now it’s time to bake! Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden. It’ll smell amazing!
13. Let it Cool and Garnish:
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. If you like, sprinkle with some fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color before serving!
14. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve warm, and enjoy your spooky Eyeball Pasta Bake! It’s sure to be a hit at the dinner table, adding a fun twist to your meal!
Can I Use Different Types of Pasta for This Bake?
Absolutely! While penne is great for this recipe, you can also use rotini, rigatoni, or even fusilli. Just make sure the pasta you choose can hold sauce well!
What Can I Substitute for Hard-Boiled Eggs?
If you want to skip the eggs, consider using mozzarella balls to maintain that “eyeball” look. Just remember to skip the olives for pupils, or get creative with other garnishes!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover Eyeball Pasta Bake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave or warm it up in the oven until heated through.
Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Substitute the ground beef or sausage with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat crumbles. Just ensure the marinara sauce you’re using is vegetarian-friendly!
