Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or any shape you like)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese balls (small, to resemble eyeballs)
- ½ cup black olives (sliced, for the pupils)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (for added color)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down quickly. Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of olive oil for extra flavor. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the dressing. Gently stir to coat evenly. Then, add mozzarella cheese balls, sliced black olives, and cherry tomatoes. Carefully arrange cheese balls with olives on top to resemble creepy eyeballs.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the top for a pop of color. For an extra spooky effect, add more black olives to create “pupils” on each cheese ball. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving for a more refreshing taste.
Notes
- You can substitute vegan mayonnaise and vegan cheese balls for a vegan version.
- Prepare the salad up to 2 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add fresh garnishes just before serving for the best presentation.
- Feel free to customize with additional Halloween-themed decorations or extra veggies for more festivity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook, Mix
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 220 Kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg