Monster Eyes and Worms AKA spaghetti and meatballs

I know it is after Halloween, but I wanted to share our fun Halloween dinner idea with you...maybe you can make it next year :) My friend Stacey gave me a really yummy meatball recipe that we have been LOVING!  We usually make them in a bbq sauce (which I will share soon), but for Halloween I switched it up and made a marinara sauce instead.  This was super yummy too, but I think I still prefer them in a traditional BBQ sauce.   I got the idea to do Monster eyes from Mel's kitchen Cafe and used her marinara sauce, but used Stacey's recipe for the meatballs.  It was delicious! 

Monster Eyes:

Meatballs

Printable Recipe

3 lbs. hamburger

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup cracker crumbs

2 eggs, ½ cup chopped onion

½ tsp., garlic powder

2 tsp. salt

 ½ tsp. pepper

2 tsp., chili powder

To make meatballs combine all ingredients.  Shape into balls.  Meatballs can be frozen.   Place meatballs in greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Marinara Sauce:

(makes 6-7 cups of sauce):
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup grated onion, grated on the large holes of a box grater
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 garlic cloves, crushed or finely minced
4 (14.5-ounce each) cans diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon sugar
For the marinara sauce, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, basil, oregano, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the diced tomatoes and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 10-15 minutes, or let it gently simmer for upwards of 45 minutes.You can add more seasoning to your liking. 

Recipe Source: slightly adapted from Mel's kitchen cafe

For the Monster Eyes, spoon marinara sauce over the meatballs and stick green peas in for the eyes.  Serve over noodles.

We also made monster bones, which can be any bread stick dough, and you tie a small knot at each end before you bake it.  This was super easy, but fun for the kids!