Eyeball Pasta Salad
A spooky Halloween pasta salad with rotini, fresh vegetables, zesty Italian dressing, and mozzarella olive eyeballs.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 orange bell pepper diced
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives plus more for eyeball pupils
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley chopped
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
For the Mozzarella Eyeballs
- 24 mozzarella pearls or small bocconcini
- 12 pitted black olives sliced into rings
- 1 tablespoon softened cream cheese optional, to help olive pupils stick
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well.
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl and toss it with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, orange bell pepper, cucumber, sliced black olives, purple cabbage, red onion, basil or parsley, Italian dressing, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
- Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the salad chills, pat the mozzarella pearls dry with paper towels.
- Slice the pitted black olives into thin rings. If needed, place a tiny dab of softened cream cheese in the center of each mozzarella pearl.
- Press one black olive ring into the center of each mozzarella pearl to create an eyeball pupil.
- Place the finished mozzarella eyeballs on a plate, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Before serving, stir the pasta salad and add an extra splash of Italian dressing if it looks dry.
- Transfer the pasta salad to a serving bowl. Arrange the mozzarella eyeballs over the top so they are clearly visible.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
- Best pasta: Tri-color rotini gives a colorful Halloween look, but bow ties, penne, cavatappi, or shells work well.
- Mozzarella options: Use mozzarella pearls for bite-sized eyeballs or bocconcini for larger, more dramatic decorations.
- Olive pupils: Use black olive rings for classic pupils or sliced pimento-stuffed green olives for a colorful alternative.
- Make ahead: Prepare the pasta salad up to 24 hours ahead, but decorate with mozzarella eyeballs shortly before serving.
- Extra dressing: Pasta absorbs dressing in the refrigerator. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more Italian dressing before serving if needed.
- Bloody version: Replace Italian dressing with marinara sauce, or add diced red peppers and roasted red pepper strips for a red Halloween effect.
- Protein option: Add diced cooked chicken, turkey, salami, pepperoni, chickpeas, or white beans.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers promptly in an airtight container and use within 3 to 4 days.