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Eyeball Pasta Salad

A ghoulishly delightful pasta salad featuring 'eyeballs' made from mozzarella balls and black olives, perfect for Halloween or themed gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 8 oz rotini pasta (the twisted kind that coils)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (the base of our “eyeballs”)
  • 1 cup mozzarella balls, aka bocconcini (think of these as our eyeball centers)
  • black olives, sliced (for that spooky touch)
  • ½ cup green onions, chopped (because even ghouls need a touch of green)
  • ½ cup Italian dressing (for that zesty kick)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse quickly to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, green onions, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Toss until well-distributed.
  3. Drizzle Italian dressing over the salad and toss again to ensure even coverage.
  4. Place a slice of black olive on top of each mozzarella ball to create the ghoulish eyeball effect.
  5. If time permits, chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Consider swapping Italian dressing for ranch or creamy Caesar for a different flavor. Use cubed mozzarella or feta as substitutes if mozzarella balls are unavailable. To prevent sogginess, add dressing just before serving for make-ahead preparations.