Eyeball Pasta Salad Halloween (Printable Format)
Whimsical pasta tossed with veggies, mozzarella, and olives, perfect for festive gatherings or themed parties.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Salad Base
01 -
7 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
02 -
1 cup mini mozzarella balls
03 -
1 large cucumber, diced
04 -
1 red bell pepper, diced
05 -
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
06 -
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Garnishes
07 -
1.75 ounces black olives, sliced, plus additional for eyeball pupils
08 -
1.75 ounces green olives, sliced
09 -
Fresh basil leaves, chopped
→ Dressing
10 -
3 tablespoons olive oil
11 -
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
12 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
13 -
Kosher salt, to taste
14 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
02 -
Drain cooked pasta and rinse immediately under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
03 -
Place a black olive slice onto each mini mozzarella ball to resemble an eyeball with a pupil. Set prepared eyeballs aside.
04 -
Add diced cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, and both sliced black and green olives to the pasta in the bowl. Gently mix to combine.
05 -
Arrange prepared mozzarella eyeballs over the top of the mixed pasta salad for decoration.
06 -
In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
07 -
Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the salad for added flavor and visual appeal. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
Chilling the salad before serving enhances both the flavor and the presentation.