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Halloween Pasta Salad With Meatballs

A fun and flavorful Halloween-themed pasta salad with meatballs, perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Halloween
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pasta salad
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta Cook until al dente.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced Use a mix of orange and green for Halloween flair.
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese Cheddar works wonderfully.
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup your favorite dressing Ranch or Italian dressing works well.
For the spooky meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey for a leaner option.
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 each egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • optional a dash of chili flakes For a hint of spookiness!

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Toss in the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down, then set it aside.
Preparing the Meatballs
  1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (and chili flakes if you’re feeling adventurous!). Roll into small meatballs—about the size of a golf ball or smaller for bite-sized treats.
Baking the Meatballs
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatballs on it. Bake for about 20 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Tossing the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, and parsley. Drizzle with your chosen dressing, mixing well to coat all the ingredients.
Adding the Meatballs
  1. Once the meatballs are ready, let them cool for a minute. Then, gently toss them with the pasta salad—these little guys are going to be the star of the dish!
Chill and Serve
  1. Give your Halloween Pasta Salad a bit of time in the fridge before serving. This will let the flavors meld beautifully together.

Notes

Get creative with presentation: Consider using cookie cutters to create fun shapes with the bell peppers, or even create little 'ghosts' by cutting cheese into ghostly forms! Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to three days. Just add a splash more dressing if it gets a bit dry. A sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds on top adds an extra crunch and a fun seasonal touch!