Spooky Spaghetti Alfredo
Every Halloween, we gather to indulge in this delightfully spooky dish, inspired by the joy of the season and my son's love for bow-tie pasta! The Spooky Spaghetti Alfredo features farfalle pasta, reminiscent of bats fluttering about, intertwined with gooey mozzarella cheese that mimics sticky cobwebs. This comforting one-dish meal is baked to perfection, resulting in a bubbling cheesy top that promises to enchant little goblins and grown-up monsters alike. Serve it alongside a spooky salad for a complete Halloween feast!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
farfalle pasta
8 ounces (uncooked)
ground beef
1 lb (raw)
onion
1 small (chopped (optional))
pasta sauce
28 ounces (jar)
mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it nice and hot.
2
In a large pot, fill it with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the farfalle pasta and let it boil. Stir occasionally and cook the pasta until it is al dente, about 12 minutes. Once done, drain the water thoroughly.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (and onion, if using) until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
4
Add the pasta sauce to the skillet with the cooked beef, stirring to combine. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to let it simmer for a few minutes.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Toss well until the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and cheese.
6
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 2-quart baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and the grated parmesan cheese.
7
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown. Allow it to cool for a few moments before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spooky Spaghetti Alfredo?
It is a festive Halloween-themed baked pasta dish featuring farfalle pasta and gooey mozzarella cheese.
Why is farfalle pasta used in this recipe?
The farfalle pasta is meant to represent bats fluttering about in the dish.
What creates the cobweb effect in the recipe?
Gooey mozzarella cheese cubes are used to mimic the look of sticky cobwebs.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long should I boil the farfalle pasta?
Boil the pasta for about 12 minutes until it is al dente.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef.
Are onions mandatory for this recipe?
No, the chopped onion is an optional ingredient.
What size jar of pasta sauce is needed?
You will need a 28-ounce jar of pasta sauce.
How much mozzarella cheese should I use?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese.
How should the mozzarella cheese be prepared?
The mozzarella should be cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
How much parmesan cheese is added?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 2-quart baking dish should be used.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
Is this dish considered kid-friendly?
Yes, it is designed to enchant little goblins and is tagged as kid-friendly.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Should I drain the ground beef?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat after browning the beef.
What should I serve alongside this pasta?
A spooky salad is recommended to complete the Halloween feast.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
While the recipe calls for beef, ground turkey is a common substitution for baked pasta.
How do I mix the cheese into the pasta?
Mix half of the mozzarella with the pasta and sauce, then use the rest as a topping.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
Do I need to salt the pasta water?
Yes, fill a large pot with lightly salted water for boiling the pasta.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How long does it take to cook the beef?
It takes about 5 minutes to brown the beef in a skillet.
Should the pasta be fully cooked before baking?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente, as it will finish in the oven.
Can I prepare this on a weeknight?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy weeknight meal.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 6 main ingredients in this recipe.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include halloween, pasta, one dish meal, family dinner, kid-friendly, and baked.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, allow it to cool for a few moments before serving.
Does the recipe use shredded or cubed mozzarella?
The recipe specifically calls for mozzarella cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
What is the texture of the finished cheese top?
The top should be bubbly and slightly golden brown.