Spice up your Halloween dinner with this fun and spooky dish: Diablo Eyeballs served on a bed of black bean pasta! The combination of spicy meatballs resembling eyeballs, served over a striking black pasta, makes for a visually stunning and delicious meal that’s perfect for Halloween gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Diablo Eyeballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 12 black olives (halved, for pupils)
For the Black Bean Pasta:
- 8 ounces black bean pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Diablo Eyeballs:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the Eyeballs: Roll the mixture into 12 meatballs, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Using your finger or a spoon, create a small indentation in the center of each meatball. Fill each indentation with marinara sauce and then place a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked and the cheese is bubbly.
Prepare the Black Bean Pasta:
- Cook the Pasta: While the meatballs are baking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the black bean pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.
Assemble the Dish:
- Plate the Pasta: Serve a generous portion of black bean pasta on each plate.
- Add Eyeballs: Carefully place 3-4 Diablo Eyeballs on top of the pasta. Garnish with halved black olives for pupils and fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: Approximately 450
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 30g
Preparation Time
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
How to Serve
- Serve warm for a spooky Halloween dinner.
- Pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Use fun, Halloween-themed plates to enhance the festive atmosphere.
Additional Tips
- Make It Ahead: The meatballs can be prepared and shaped a day in advance, stored in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Spice Levels: Adjust the amount of chili powder and paprika based on your spice preference.
- Storage: Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Use plant-based ground meat or lentils for a vegetarian version of the Diablo Eyeballs.
- Sauce Variations: Try using a spicy arrabbiata sauce or a creamy Alfredo for a different flavor.
Freezing and Storage
- Freezing: Uncooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.
- Storage: Cooked Diablo Eyeballs can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Special Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Mixing bowls
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use regular pasta instead of black bean pasta?
A1: Yes! You can substitute with any pasta you prefer, but the color contrast will be different.
Q2: How do I keep the meatballs from falling apart?
A2: Make sure to bind the ingredients well and avoid overmixing. Chilling them for 30 minutes before baking can also help.
Q3: What if I don’t have black olives?
A3: You can use sliced almonds, green olives, or even cherry tomatoes for a different look.
Q4: Can I bake the pasta with the meatballs?
A4: Yes! You can combine the cooked pasta and meatballs with sauce and cheese, then bake for a casserole-style dish.
Q5: How can I make these gluten-free?
A5: Ensure to use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta.
Enjoy this spooky and flavorful Diablo Eyeballs with Black Bean Pasta at your Halloween feast, and watch your guests delight in this creative dish!
Print
Diablo Eyeballs with Black Bean Pasta
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
Scale
For the Diablo Eyeballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 12 black olives (halved, for pupils)
For the Black Bean Pasta:
- 8 ounces black bean pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Diablo Eyeballs:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the Eyeballs: Roll the mixture into 12 meatballs, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Using your finger or a spoon, create a small indentation in the center of each meatball. Fill each indentation with marinara sauce and then place a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked and the cheese is bubbly.
Prepare the Black Bean Pasta:
- Cook the Pasta: While the meatballs are baking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the black bean pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.
Assemble the Dish:
- Plate the Pasta: Serve a generous portion of black bean pasta on each plate.
- Add Eyeballs: Carefully place 3-4 Diablo Eyeballs on top of the pasta. Garnish with halved black olives for pupils and fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 30g
