Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs
These Spaghetti & Cheesy Monster Meatballs are a fun and spooky dinner idea for Halloween! Tender meatballs stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese and shaped into monsters, served over a bed of spaghetti 'worms' with marinara sauce. Perfect for kids and Halloween parties!
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Saucepan
- skillet,
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey or mix
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg acts as binder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 lb spaghetti cooked according to package directions
- 24 oz marinara sauce or your favorite homemade sauce
- black olives sliced, for eyes
- pretzel sticks for monster 'antennas'
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until just combined. Don't overmix.
- Take about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, and place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center. Wrap the meat around the cheese and form into a ball. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned.
- While the meatballs bake, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Warm the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with marinara sauce and plate it. Top with the cheesy monster meatballs.
- Decorate each meatball with sliced black olives for eyes and insert pretzel sticks to form antennas.
Notes
This dish is fully customizable, and kids will love the fun decorating part! Make ahead and refrigerate the meatballs for up to 24 hours before baking.