Looking for a spook-tacular Halloween dinner that’s as delicious as it is fun? This Ghostly Pasta Bake is cheesy, comforting, and dressed up with adorable mozzarella “ghosts” on top. It’s the perfect way to bring a festive touch to your holiday table while still serving up a hearty, family-friendly meal.
At a Glance
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Cost: $12–$15
Ghostly Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A spook-tacular Halloween dinner! This Ghostly Pasta Bake is a cheesy, comforting casserole topped with adorable mozzarella “ghosts”—perfect for a fun and hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6–8 slices mozzarella cheese (for ghost cut-outs)
- 6–8 black olive slices (for ghost “eyes”)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente, 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in drained pasta and mix until coated.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half of the pasta mixture in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Layer the remaining pasta and sprinkle with the rest of the shredded cheese.
- Cut ghost shapes from mozzarella slices using a cookie cutter or knife. Place ghosts on top of casserole. Add olive slice “eyes.”
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your haunted pasta bake!
Notes
Add cheese ghost cut-outs during the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent excessive melting. Use gluten-free pasta for a GF option or substitute ground meat with lentils or tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Halloween, pasta bake, ghostly dinner, spooky food, casserole
Ingredien
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti work well)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6–8 slices mozzarella cheese (for ghost cut-outs)
- 6–8 black olive slices (for ghost “eyes”)
Ingredient Notes & Swaps:
- Use gluten-free pasta for a GF option.
- Swap ground meat for lentils or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian bake.
- Try a spicy arrabbiata sauce if you want more heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente, 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the meat: In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in a little olive oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mix with sauce: Pour in marinara sauce and let simmer 5 minutes. Stir in drained pasta until everything is coated.
- Assemble the bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Layer remaining pasta mixture and top with the rest of the shredded cheese.
- Make cheese ghosts: Use a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter (or cut freehand) to slice ghost shapes from mozzarella slices. Place them on top of the casserole. Add olive slice “eyes.”
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes more, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve spooky style: Let cool 5 minutes before serving. The little ghosts will “haunt” your pasta bake!
Pro Tips & Variations
- Extra spooky: Add a drizzle of “bloody” marinara sauce on top just before serving.
- Vegetable boost: Mix in chopped spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Cheesy upgrade: Swap mozzarella ghosts for provolone or white cheddar if preferred.
- Mini versions: Make ghostly pasta muffins in a cupcake tin for a kid-friendly party snack.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with garlic bread “witch fingers” (breadsticks with almond slice fingernails).
- Serve alongside a fresh green salad for balance.
- Offer Halloween punch (like orange soda with floating gummy worms) for a festive drink.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions.
Troubleshooting
- Ghosts melted too much? Add cheese ghost cut-outs in the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Too watery? Make sure to drain pasta well and simmer sauce slightly longer.
- Not spooky enough? Use food-safe black gel to draw little ghost mouths on the cheese.