Description
This Halloween Pasta recipe features dramatic black squid ink pasta topped with a savory ground beef ragu, creamy mozzarella ‘eyeballs,’ and sliced black olives for a spooky yet delicious meal perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb squid ink pasta
Beef Ragu
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon Italian herb seasoning mix
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Toppings
- 4 ounces Cielegine Mozzarella (about 1/3 ounce per cherry sized ball)
- 2 ounces sliced black olives
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (for tossing pasta)
Instructions
- Make the beef ragu: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan. Add the dried minced onion and Italian herb seasoning mix, then pour in the marinara sauce. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the squid ink pasta according to the package instructions, usually boiling until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and return it to the pot. Toss the noodles with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the dish: Divide the black pasta evenly among four plates. Spoon the beef ragu generously over the pasta. Slice the mozzarella balls lengthwise to form circular slices. Arrange several mozzarella slices on top of the ragu on each plate. Place black olive slices on top of the mozzarella to create spooky ‘eyeballs’. Serve the dish immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- Squid ink pasta adds a rich, briny flavor and dramatic color but can be substituted with regular pasta for a milder taste.
- Drain the ground beef well to avoid greasy sauce.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the texture contrast between creamy mozzarella and savory ragu.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
