Eyeball Pasta Salad
A fun and spooky pasta salad that's perfect for Halloween parties or themed gatherings, packed with flavor and healthy ingredients.
Ingredients
Pasta and Eyeballs
- 200 g pasta (rotini or fusilli) Cook according to package instructions
- 150 g mini mozzarella balls For the eyeball effect
- 1 piece black olive Sliced into rounds for the pupil
Vegetables
- 1 cup cucumber Diced
- 1 piece red bell pepper Diced
- 1 piece yellow bell pepper Diced
- 150 g black olives Sliced
- 50 g green olives Sliced
- 100 g cherry tomatoes Sliced in half
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar Can substitute with red wine or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper
Garnish
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside in a large bowl.
- To create the eyeballs, insert a piece of black olive onto each mini mozzarella ball to resemble a pupil. Arrange them on top of the pasta.
- Add the diced cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomato halves, and both types of olive slices into the bowl with the pasta. Give it a good mix to combine everything.
Dressing
- For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are well-coated.
Garnishing and Serving
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the salad for a burst of color and flavor. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve chilled in a large bowl, garnished with extra basil leaves or more mozzarella eyeballs on top for added effect.
Notes
Make sure to rinse the pasta in cold water to prevent it from sticking together. Feel free to add other veggies like carrots or peas based on what you have on hand. Adjust the amount of dressing according to your taste preference.