If you’re hunting for a Halloween dinner idea that’s both spooky and scrumptious, you’re going to love this Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe. It’s charming, simple to make, and perfect for adding a bit of playful spirit to your dinner table. I remember the first time I whipped this up — my kitchen smelled like comfort food paradise, but with a quirky Halloween twist that made everyone smile. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through how to get those adorable burrata ghosts just right and nail this fun pasta dish every time!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity meets spooky: You don’t need elaborate skills to make charming burrata ghosts that steal the show.
Customizable sauce base: Choose your favorite tomato or pesto sauce, homemade or store-bought, to suit your taste.
Creamy burrata magic: The rich, velvety burrata adds a luscious texture contrast to the pasta, elevating the entire dish.
Fun for all ages: It’s a playful dinner that kids and adults alike enjoy, perfect for a festive family night.

A black bowl filled with a large serving of spaghetti coated evenly with bright red tomato sauce forms the base layer. On top, there is a single round white cheese ball placed slightly off-center, with its bottom part melting into the spaghetti to create a soft, uneven texture flowing down. Two small black olive slices are placed on the cheese ball as eyes, with a larger black olive ring below them acting as an open mouth. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe has a lovely harmony of simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients that come together beautifully. Plus, I’ve given tips on picking the best burrata and olives for those all-important ghost details!

Spaghetti: Pick your favorite brand or type; I like classic durum wheat pasta for its firm bite that holds up well under sauce.
Tomato sauce / Marinara / Pesto: Homemade is fantastic when you have time, but store-bought works perfectly — just make sure it’s flavorful and thick enough to coat the pasta nicely.
Burrata: This fresh Italian cheese is the star—choose small balls for individual ghosts or larger ones for family-style plating; bring to room temp and drain well for best texture.
Black olives: The perfect “eyes and mouth” for your ghosts; I find that the tiny black olive ends work great for eyeballs and slices for a spooky mouth.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe is super flexible and leaves room for your own flair. Sometimes I swap the tomato base for pesto, or I change up the “ghost faces” with different fun toppings depending on what I have on hand.

Variation: One time, I used a smoky chipotle tomato sauce for a richer, spicier vibe — the burrata still balanced it perfectly.
Dietary Mod: For dairy-free friends, you can replace burrata with a cashew cream dollop and use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Seasonal Twist: Toss in sautéed mushrooms or roasted pumpkin cubes to deepen the autumnal feel.
Face Alternatives: Don’t have olives? Use bacon bits or capers, or get creative with a balsamic glaze to draw on spooky faces.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Spaghetti to Perfection

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until it’s al dente—this means tender but with a slight bite, which keeps the noodles from getting mushy once tossed in sauce. I like to stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check a minute or two before the timer so it doesn’t overcook. Once done, drain your pasta well.

Step 2: Toss Spaghetti with Your Chosen Sauce

Transfer the drained spaghetti back to the pot or a large serving bowl and add your tomato sauce, marinara, or pesto. Gently toss to coat every strand with that delicious sauce. This step warms up the sauce and infuses your pasta with flavor. Don’t skimp on sauce here—make sure each bite is tasty and saucy but not swimming.

Step 3: Prepare Burrata Ghosts

Now for the fun part! Drain the burrata and pat it dry gently to avoid excess liquid. For each plate of pasta, place a whole small burrata ball on top. Using a small knife, carefully slice open the bottom of the burrata and scoop out some of the creamy center, then spread it downward on the plate to create the ghost’s “tail.” Don’t stress about it looking perfect — organic shapes add charm here!

Step 4: Give Your Ghost a Face Using Black Olives

Use a small straw or a knife tip to cut tiny rounds from the black olive ends for the eyes. Slice another olive thinly to form the mouth. Place these little pieces onto the burrata ghost’s face — they stick surprisingly well if the cheese’s surface is slightly tacky. This final touch brings your Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe to life and makes everyone smile at the table!

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe

Room Temperature Burrata: Always let your burrata sit out for 15-20 minutes; this lets it soften and makes shaping your ghosts much easier.
Drain Burrata Well: Pat with a paper towel to avoid watery spaghetti and cheese that won’t ‘stick’ well.
Prep Faces Early: Cut your olive eyes and mouths while the pasta cooks to keep assembly fun and efficient.
Don’t Overthink Ghost Shapes: Each ghost is unique and imperfect shapes just add to the charm — trust me, your guests will love the homemade vibe.

How to Serve Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe

Two bowls of spaghetti sit on a white marbled surface. The bowl on the right is white and filled with green pesto spaghetti, topped with a white cream shaped like a ghost with two small black olive pieces for eyes and one round black olive slice for the mouth. The bowl on the left is white and holds red tomato spaghetti with a dollop of white cream on top. Around the bowls are several small black plastic spiders placed on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When I serve this dish, I like to sprinkle a handful of fresh basil or parsley leaves. It adds a bright pop of color and freshness that beautifully contrasts the creamy burrata and rich sauce. If you’re feeling festive, a pinch of cracked black pepper or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds an elegant finish too.

Side Dishes

I usually pair this Halloween spaghetti with a crisp green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette — it refreshes the palate and balances the richness. Garlic bread is a natural choice here; its toasty crunch is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce and creamy burrata.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I made a big family style platter with a giant burrata ghost in the center surrounded by smaller ones — it was an instant conversation starter at our Halloween party. You could also add edible “spooky” touches like edible eyes or switch up pasta shapes for extra fun. Serving it in mini pasta bowls for individual guests is another way to make it feel special and personal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the pasta and burrata separately in airtight containers. The spaghetti holds up well in the fridge for up to 3 days if tossed lightly with a bit of olive oil to stop sticking. Keep the burrata cold and fresh — the creamy texture is best enjoyed within a day or two.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing the burrata ghosts because the texture of burrata tends to go grainy when frozen. The pasta and sauce can be frozen, but fresh is best for this fun Halloween recipe!

Reheating

When reheating leftover spaghetti, do so gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to keep it from drying out. Add the burrata fresh each time for that creamy, ghostly effect.

FAQs

Can I use another type of cheese instead of burrata for the ghosts?

Absolutely! While burrata gives that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture perfect for shaping ghosts, you could try fresh mozzarella balls for a milder texture. Just keep in mind burrata’s creamy center is unique and harder to replicate exactly.
What if I can’t find small burrata balls for individual ghosts?

No worries! Use a larger burrata ball and serve family style — place one or multiple bigger burrata “ghosts” on a shared platter of spaghetti, then slice and serve. Or cut a large ball into smaller portions on the plate.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can have the pasta cooked and sauce ready in advance. Just reheat and assemble the burrata ghosts fresh before serving to keep that creamy texture and playful look intact.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options for this recipe?

This recipe is naturally vegetarian. For vegan, swap the burrata with a plant-based cheese or cashew cream and pick a vegan-friendly sauce. The spooky fun remains strong, no matter the diet!

Final Thoughts

I love how this Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe brings together easy weeknight cooking and festive fun effortlessly. It’s one of those dishes that makes everyone feel cozy and delightfully surprised at the same time. Give it a try this season — you’ll be amazed at how something so simple can turn dinner into a spook-tacular celebration. Trust me, once you’ve made these playful burrata ghosts, Halloween dinner will never be the same!

Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 13 reviews

Author: Madison
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Halloween Spaghetti with Burrata Ghosts is a fun and festive pasta dish perfect for spooky celebrations. Cooked spaghetti is tossed with your choice of tomato sauce, marinara, or pesto, then topped with creamy burrata cheese creatively shaped into adorable ghost figures using black olive pieces for eyes and mouth. This recipe is easy to customize for any number of guests and makes a charming centerpiece for Halloween dinner.

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce

spaghetti (quantity depends on number of people)
tomato sauce, marinara, or pesto (choose one, quantity depends on number of people)

Burrata and Garnish

1 small burrata ball per person (about 125 grams or 4-5 ounces each)
black olives, sliced or pitted, for eyes and mouth

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Instructions

Cook spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Prepare enough for the number of people you are serving.
Toss cooked spaghetti with sauce: Drain the spaghetti well, then toss with your choice of sauce (tomato sauce, marinara, or pesto). Plate the sauced spaghetti.
Top with burrata: Place one small burrata ball on top of the spaghetti for each serving.
Cut burrata open and make ghost shape: Gently slice open the bottom of each burrata ball to scoop out some creamy cheese from inside. Spread out the creamy center to form the shape of a ghost’s tail. Don’t worry about making it perfect—casual shapes work best.
Make the face from black olives: Use small circular pieces cut from black olives to create eyes and mouth for the ghost. A straw works well to punch out small eye shapes from the olive ends. Place the olive slices on the burrata to complete the ghost’s face.
Serve: Your Halloween spaghetti with burrata ghosts is now ready to serve immediately, perfect for a spooky-themed meal.

Notes

Adjust spaghetti and sauce quantities to match the number of servings you need.
Take burrata out of the refrigerator ahead of time to let it come to room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Drain and pat dry burrata to remove excess liquid before plating.
If small burrata balls aren’t available, use larger burrata and serve family style with one large ghost or multiple ghosts on top.
Prepare olive pieces while the spaghetti cooks to speed up assembly.
Use alternatives like bacon bits, black beans, capers, or balsamic glaze to make the ghost faces if you prefer.
For a family style presentation, serve on a large platter with multiple small burrata ghosts or one large ghost with the pasta.