Halloween Pasta
This Halloween pasta blends fun spooky shapes with cheesy, savory flavors kids and adults both love. It’s easy to customize for any taste preference.
Servings: 4
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Ounces white button mushrooms choose large, firm caps
- 3 Links sausages or hot dogs
- 10 Slices pepperoni
- 2 Cups marinara sauce
- ½ Tablespoon onion powder
- ½ Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 8 Ounces spaghetti dry, or similar long noodles
- ¼ Cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ¼ Cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 6 almonds
For Garnish
- basil leaves fresh
Instructions
Make Mushroom Skulls and Sausage Fingers
- Slice mushrooms in half vertically.
- Use a straw to poke two "eye sockets" into each half.
- Carve 3 or 4 small horizontal slits below the eyes to mimic teeth.
- Cut sausages in half.
- Score shallow lines across the center to resemble knuckle creases.
- Trim one end into a rounded shape (nail bed).
Cook Spooky Pasta
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot, following the package directions, then drain and reserve some of the pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat cooking oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
- Sauté mushroom skulls until slightly softened. Set aside.
- Pan fry sausage fingers until golden brown. (This will take longer for link sausages that must be cooked through than hot dog sausages which are already cooked). Set aside.
- Crisp the pepperoni slices until edges curl.
- In the same pan, pour in marinara sauce.
- Add onion powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning, and stir well.
- Toss in cooked pasta with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Stir in parmesan and mozzarella until gooey and delicious.
- Top pasta with cooked mushroom skulls and sausage fingers.
- Place one almond on each sausage tip to look like a fingernail.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a splash of color.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Carve carefully: Use a straw for eyes and a paring knife for teeth on mushrooms.
Secure the nails: Press almonds into sausages after cooking with a dab of sauce.
Add drama: Drizzle extra sauce for a “bloody” Halloween effect.
Make ahead: Prep mushrooms and sausages a day before to save time.
Secure the nails: Press almonds into sausages after cooking with a dab of sauce.
Add drama: Drizzle extra sauce for a “bloody” Halloween effect.
Make ahead: Prep mushrooms and sausages a day before to save time.
Nutrition
Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 815mg | Potassium: 648mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 3mg
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