Monster Eyeball Meatballs
They’re staring back at you! 👀 These Monster Eyeball Meatballs are juicy Italian meatballs bubbling in marinara, each topped with a mozzarella “eyeball”.
The meatballs are ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic and Italian seasoning. They brown in a skillet, bake right in the marinara, and get a little mozzarella ball and black olive pupil on top.
It’s the best spooky party appetizer, and it makes a fun Halloween dinner too.
Why You’ll Love It
- Spooky and delicious. Real meatballs, just with a creepy twist.
- One skillet. Brown, bake and serve in the same pan.
- Makes 12. Perfect for a party platter.
- Kids get a kick out of them. Eyeballs for dinner? Yes, please.
- Easy to find ingredients. Ground beef, marinara and mozzarella.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef: 80/20 keeps the meatballs juicy.
- Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan and egg: To hold the meatballs together.
- Garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper: For flavor.
- Marinara sauce: The meatballs bake right in it.
- Small mozzarella balls and black olive slices: The eyeballs and pupils.
- Fresh basil: Sprinkled on at the end.
You’ll find the exact amounts and steps in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make It
Heat the oven. Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until just combined and roll it into 12 meatballs. Brown them in an oven-safe skillet, then pour in the marinara sauce. Move the skillet to the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through. Set a mozzarella ball on top of each meatball and press a black olive slice into each one for the pupil, then pop it back in the oven for a few minutes to melt. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve it right from the skillet.
Tips for the Best Monster Eyeball Meatballs
- Don’t overmix. Mix the meat until just combined so the meatballs stay tender.
- Use an oven-safe skillet. It goes from the stovetop right into the oven.
- Check the temperature. Bake until the meatballs reach 160°F inside.
- Add the eyes at the end. Put the mozzarella and olives on for the last few minutes so they just melt.
- Serve from the skillet. It looks extra spooky on the table.
Would your kids eat these or run screaming? 😂
Monster Eyeball Meatballs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until just combined. Roll into 12 meatballs.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs 2 minutes per side, then pour in the marinara sauce.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake 12–15 minutes, until the meatballs reach 160°F inside.
- Nestle a mozzarella ball on top of each meatball, then press a black olive slice into each as the pupil. Return to the oven 3 minutes to melt.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve straight from the skillet!
Notes
- Bake until the meatballs reach 160°F inside.
- Serve straight from the skillet.
