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Spooky Halloween Pasta

This Halloween pasta features sturdy penne coated in a smoky, spicy sauce tinted with black food coloring or squid ink, creating an eerie dark hue. The dish is finished with bright lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a creamy texture, resulting in a fun, visually striking meal with a velvety bite. Perfect for spooky season, it combines comfort with a playful, creepy presentation.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g penne pasta or rigatoni
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 400 g chopped tomatoes fresh or canned
  • 200 ml cream heavy or double
  • 1 tsp chili flakes optional for spice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • to taste black food coloring or squid ink for eerie dark hue
  • fresh basil or parsley herbs chopped, for garnish
  • grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add chopped tomatoes to the skillet and cook until the mixture thickens and becomes saucy, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the cream and chili flakes, then simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  5. Add lemon juice to the sauce for brightness, then toss in the drained pasta, stirring to coat evenly.
  6. Remove a portion of the sauce before coloring. Mix black food coloring or squid ink thoroughly into this reserved sauce until evenly dark and smoky looking.
  7. Pour the darkened sauce back over the pasta, mixing until the entire dish has a uniform eerie black hue. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
  8. Cook everything together for another minute to let the flavors meld and the sauce cling well to the pasta.
  9. Transfer the spooky black pasta to serving plates, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped herbs, and garnish with extra herbs or fun decorations like fake spiders for a festive touch.

Notes

Ensure the sauce is evenly dark for that spooky effect. Use a splash of pasta water to adjust consistency as needed. Have fun with decorations for extra Halloween flair!