Description
This Halloween Eyeball Pasta Salad is a creepy-cute, savory party dish perfect for potlucks, buffets, and themed dinners. With mozzarella “eyeballs,” colorful veggies, and a tangy dressing, it’s a frightfully fun side that’s as tasty as it is spooky.
Ingredients
Scale
Serves: 8–10 party guests
- 16 oz (450g) rotini pasta (or other fun-shaped pasta)
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- Mix the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine the salad: In a large bowl, toss pasta with tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, carrots, and parsley. Pour over dressing and toss again.
- Make the eyeballs: Slice a small section off each mozzarella ball to create a flat surface. Place a slice of black olive in the center and half a grape tomato underneath. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Add the eyeballs: Gently nestle mozzarella “eyeballs” throughout the salad.
- Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- For extra spookiness: Add roasted red pepper strips for “veins” in the eyeballs.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free pasta and check dressing ingredients.
- Dairy-free version: Swap mozzarella for dairy-free cheese or vegetable slices.
- Make ahead: Prep up to 24 hours in advance; store eyeballs separately until serving.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Method: No-Cook, Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Halloween Eyeball Pasta Salad, Spooky Pasta Salad, Halloween Side Dish, Halloween Recipes Savory, Halloween Potluck Recipes, Creepy Pasta Salad, Halloween Party Food