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Eyeball Pasta Salad

Create a Spooktacular Eyeball Pasta Salad for Halloween Fun

Delight your guests with Eyeball Pasta Salad, a fun and colorful dish, perfect for Halloween gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 200 g Pasta (rotini or fusilli) Substitute with any short pasta shape if preferred.
  • 150 g Mini Mozzarella Balls Regular mozzarella cut into cubes works too.
  • 1 Black Olive (sliced into rounds) Feel free to use green olives for a different effect.
  • Cherry Tomatoes (halved) Swap with grape tomatoes if needed.
  • Cucumber (diced) Other crunchy vegetables like diced bell peppers are great alternatives.
  • Red Bell Pepper (diced) Yellow or orange bell peppers are alternatives.
  • Yellow Bell Pepper (diced) More red bell pepper can be used in a pinch.
  • 50 g Black Olives (sliced) Choose any type of olives based on your taste.
  • 50 g Green Olives (sliced) Add a touch of salty goodness.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves (chopped) Can be swapped for parsley if desired.
For the Dressing
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil Neutral cooking oil can be used.
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar Apple cider vinegar works well too.
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning Dried oregano or basil can be used alternatively.
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste Essential for flavor.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • cutting board
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 200g of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.
  2. While the pasta cools, take 150g of mini mozzarella balls and slice one black olive into rounds. Press each slice into the center of a mozzarella ball, creating spooky eyeballs.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta along with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and the diced bell peppers. Stir the mixture gently until all the ingredients are well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together gently, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
  6. Carefully place the mozzarella eyeballs on top of the salad, arranging them in an appealing design.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves over the salad. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 10mg

Notes

For best results, prepare the salad just a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

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