This easy Halloween Pasta Salad, it doesn't get any better than this! It's a spooky, colorful, and satisfying salad that's playful too. These spooky heads are made with string cheese and olives.
I always love easy, no-fuss recipes. Minimalism is my motto, and this Halloween pasta salad is a perfect example of that(Chipotle Pasta Salad or this Arugula Pear Salad).
It's just regular pasta and everyday ingredients, but together they make a fun and festive(and creepy too) Halloween dish, in under 15 minutes.
A simple mix of string cheese and olives creates that "trick or treat" magic. Anyone can make this salad - no fancy equipment or skills needed!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️Quick, easy, and super fun!
⭐️It's delicious with rich textures.
⭐️It's a family-friendly recipe, loaded with veggies and cheese.
Ingredients
- Pasta: I used fusilli pasta because it holds the vinaigrette dressing really well. However, you can also swap it out for penne or rotini(See FAQ for more).
- Tomatoes: Choose firm plum or cherry tomatoes that can hold their shape well without making the pasta mushy.
- Black Olives: Black olives give that perfect "eyeball" effect! You can also use green olives if you prefer; they work great, too.
- String Cheese: This is my favorite part! Use mozzarella string cheese sticks for that mild, creamy flavor. Swap with vegan string cheese for the dairy-free option.
- Bell Peppers: I used a mix of green, yellow, and orange bell peppers to bring those beautiful fall colors. Feel free to customize with your own favorite combination.
- Onion: This one's optional, but I like to add it for that little extra crunch.
- Italian Dressing: I used my own homemade Italian dressing - a mix of olive oil,
How To Make Halloween Pasta Salad
- Step 1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Dice the tomato, bell peppers, and onion. Set everything aside.
- Step 2. Slice the black olives into four rounds.
- Step 3. Cut each string cheese stick into three equal parts, then slice each piece in half lengthwise so you get six small pieces per stick. On one end of each piece, make a few shallow slits about halfway down to look like hair or tentacles.
- Step 4. Press two olive slices gently near the top to make the "eyes." Be gentle so they stay in place. In a large bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, leftover olive slices, and Italian dressing. And arrange these spooky cheese heads on top. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tips
- If you're making it ahead of time, you can prep all the ingredients and store them separately in the fridge.
- Then, just assemble the salad right before serving.
- Make the spooky "eyeball head" toppings at the last minute to keep everything looking fun and fresh - otherwise, they might lose their shape or slide off.
The Leftovers
- You can store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- I wouldn't recommend freezing this pasta salad - the texture just isn't the same after thawing. If you decide to freeze it for up to a month, store the cheese "eyeball heads" separately to keep them fresh and firm.
FAQ
Any pasta that holds the dressing well works excellently for this recipe. I used multicolored pasta to add a fun, festive touch. You can also use regular pasta, or even toss it with a little food-safe coloring to give it that Halloween vibe.
Absolutely! I used Italian dressing because it's a family favorite and so easy to make. But you can substitute any dressing you love. The primary focus here is really on the creepy "cheese eyeball heads," so feel free to get creative with the rest.
Of course! Swap the regular string cheese for a vegan-friendly version. Other than that, all the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.
Certainly! You can mix in cooked shrimp, chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to make it more filling and satisfying.
For a more festive look, serve the salad in small hollowed-out pumpkins or on a spooky-themed platter.
📖 Recipe
Halloween Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta tri-color/regular(See Notes. 1)
- 1 cup tomatoes /cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup black olives
- 6 string cheese
- ½ cup bell peppers diced
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped (optional)
- ½ cup Italian dressing (See Notes. 2)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
- In the meantime, prepare the veggies by dicing the tomato, bell peppers, and onion. And set aside.
- Cut each string cheese stick into three equal parts. And slice each part in half(so we have six pieces from each cheese stick).
- On each piece, cut shallow slits halfway down one end to make it look like "hair" or spooky tentacles.
- Slice the black olives into 4 slices. Choose the two center slices(these will have large holes and are best turned out into "eyes").
- Gently press two olive slices onto the top of each piece of cheese to look like eyes. Be firm but gentle so they stick.
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and any leftover olive slices.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the top. Toss well until everything is evenly coated.
- Arrange your "cheese monster eyeballs" over the salad.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use any pasta that holds dressing well - fusilli, penne, or rotini all work great. Multicolored pasta adds a festive Halloween touch!
- Italian dressing is classic here, but feel free to swap it with homemade seasoning(combine olive oil, vinegar, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper).
- For a vegan version, use vegan string cheese; all the other ingredients are already plant-based.
- Add extra protein with chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or tofu if you want a heartier meal.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. If freezing, store the cheese "cheese heads" separately to keep their shape and texture.
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