Meatball Creepy Crawlers

Transform your next Halloween party or family dinner into a spook-tacular affair with these playful and delicious Meatball Creepy Crawlers! This fun recipe combines tender, oven-baked meatballs, seasoned with Parmesan, garlic, and oregano, with creative spaghetti "legs" and mozzarella-and-olive "eyes" to resemble creepy crawly critters. Perfect as a kid-friendly Halloween treat or a whimsical appetizer, this dish is as fun to make as it is to eat. Serve these edible creatures with warm marinara sauce for a flavorful dip that complements the savory meatballs. Ready in under 45 minutes, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between tasty and terrifying, making it a must-try addition to your spooky season menu!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 1 Large egg
• 4 oz Cooked spaghetti
• 12 Mozzarella cheese balls (ciliegine-size)
• 6 Black olive slices
• 1 cup Marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 3

Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and browned on the outside.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and let it cool slightly.

Step 6

Cut the cooked spaghetti into roughly 2–3 inch pieces. These will be the 'legs' of the creepy crawlers.

Step 7

Once the meatballs are done and cooled slightly, carefully insert 6–8 pieces of spaghetti into each meatball to create legs, ensuring they stick out evenly on both sides.

Step 8

For the 'eyes,' cut the mozzarella balls in half and place two halves on each meatball. Use a small piece of black olive to create the pupils by pressing it onto the mozzarella.

Step 9

Heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave until warm.

Step 10

Serve the Meatball Creepy Crawlers on a platter with a drizzle of marinara sauce or as a dipping sauce on the side for added flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1380.6 grams (1380.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2749

Total Fat 187.90g	241%
Saturated Fat 80.10g	401%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 687mg	229%
Sodium 5929mg	258%
Total Carbohydrate 105.90g	39%
Dietary Fiber 9.70g	35%
Total Sugars 9.60g
Protein 168.40g	337%

Vitamin D 41IU	205%
Calcium 1623mg	125%
Iron 17mg	92%
Potassium 1553mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.6%

Protein: 24.2%

Carbs: 15.2%