Halloween Ghostly White Pasta

This velvety white sauce pasta transforms an ordinary dinner into a spooktacular Halloween feast. The creamy sauce envelops tender pasta while playful mozzarella ghosts float on top, creating a meal that's as fun to look at as it is delicious to eat.

I first made this pasta for my nieces and nephews during a Halloween gathering, and their delighted squeals when they saw the cheese ghosts made it an instant tradition. Now it's requested every October without fail.

Ingredients

• Fettuccine or spaghetti: The long strands provide the perfect base for our ghostly scene. Fresh pasta works wonderfully if you have access to it.
• Unsalted butter: Creates the rich foundation for our white sauce. European style butter adds extra creaminess.
• All purpose flour: Works with butter to thicken our sauce. Use unbleached for best flavor.
• Whole milk: Provides the creamy texture. Warm it slightly before adding for a smoother sauce.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds savory depth. Freshly grated melts better than pre shredded varieties.
• Salt and pepper: Enhances all the flavors. Freshly ground pepper makes a noticeable difference.
• Ground nutmeg: Optional but adds wonderful complexity to white sauce. A little goes a long way.
• Mozzarella cheese slices: Creates our ghostly friends. Low moisture works best for clean cutting.
• Black olives: Forms the spooky ghost eyes. Kalamata olives work too for a more intense flavor.
• Fresh parsley: Adds color and freshness to our ghostly scene. Italian flat leaf has the best flavor.

Instructions

Boil the pasta:

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous tablespoon of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve half a cup of the starchy pasta water. This liquid gold will help thin your sauce if needed and helps the sauce cling to the pasta. Drain pasta but do not rinse.

Create the roux:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter completely until it starts to bubble slightly but not brown. Sprinkle in the flour and immediately begin whisking. Continue whisking constantly for a full minute. The mixture should look like wet sand and smell slightly nutty. This cooking process eliminates the raw flour taste.

Develop the sauce:

Gradually pour in the warm milk about a quarter cup at a time, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Your patience here will be rewarded with a silky smooth sauce. Once all milk is incorporated, continue cooking and stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Add the cheese:

Remove the pan from heat and add the grated Parmesan, salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg. Stir until the cheese completely melts and incorporates into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. The sauce should be creamy but not overly thick.

Combine pasta and sauce:

Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce and toss thoroughly using tongs until every strand is evenly coated with the creamy white sauce. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, so keep it slightly looser than you might think necessary.

Create the ghost decorations:

Transfer the sauced pasta to a serving platter or individual plates. Using a small knife or cookie cutter, cut ghost shapes from the mozzarella slices. Place these ghosts on top of the hot pasta so they begin to melt slightly at the edges while maintaining their shape.

Add finishing touches:

Place two black olive slices on each ghost to create eyes. Position them slightly unevenly for a more whimsical look. If using parsley, sprinkle it around the edges of the dish to add color contrast against the white sauce and ghosts. Serve immediately while hot.

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The nutmeg in this recipe is my secret weapon. Though optional, this tiny pinch transforms an ordinary white sauce into something magical. My grandmother always added it to her white sauces, and that subtle warmth it brings reminds me of cozy autumn evenings in her kitchen. The flavor is subtle but distinctive.

Make Ahead Options

This ghostly pasta can be partially prepared ahead of time to make Halloween dinner less stressful. Make the white sauce up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally and adding a splash of milk if needed to restore its creamy consistency. Cook the pasta fresh, then combine with the reheated sauce. The ghost decorations should always be added just before serving for the best visual effect.

Creative Variations

Turn this festive dish into something uniquely yours with these simple variations. For a protein boost, add sautéed chicken pieces seasoned with garlic and herbs beneath the sauce. Create a seafood version using cooked shrimp and a pinch of saffron in the white sauce for elegant color. Make it extra cheesy by adding smoked gouda or fontina to the sauce. For a vegetable boost, stir in roasted butternut squash cubes or sautéed mushrooms. Each variation maintains the ghostly presentation while offering a different flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions

Complete your Halloween dinner spread by pairing this pasta with complementary sides. A simple green salad with blood orange segments and a balsamic vinaigrette adds freshness and continues the Halloween color theme. Garlic bread shaped into "bones" makes an appropriate accompaniment. For dessert, serve apple cider in potion bottles or pumpkin pudding cups decorated with cookie crumb "dirt." The entire meal becomes a festive experience that delights both children and adults.

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These simple steps and tips will ensure your ghostly pasta is a frightfully delicious success!

Recipe Q&A

→ How can I create the mozzarella ghost shapes?

Use a sharp knife or a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut mozzarella slices. Place on hot pasta to gently melt and form ghostly figures.

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! Fettuccine or spaghetti works well, but any pasta shape you enjoy can be used for this dish.

→ How do I make the sauce extra creamy?

Whisk the milk slowly into the butter and flour roux, ensuring a smooth texture. Stir in cheese thoroughly for added creaminess.

→ Are there ways to add more flavor?

Try sautéing mushrooms or spinach to mix into the sauce, or experiment with smoked cheeses for a deeper flavor profile.

→ Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this pasta is vegetarian. Ensure your cheese is vegetarian-friendly and check pasta labels if sensitive to specific ingredients.

→ Can this be made gluten free?

Use gluten-free pasta and substitute with gluten-free flour to make the dish suitable for gluten-sensitive eaters.