Description
Spooky Eyeball Tacos are a fun, easy Halloween dinner everyone will love. Get the recipe for these ghoulishly good, simple tacos for family fright night!
Ingredients
Scale
- Eyeball Base:
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15) or ground turkey
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 8–10 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
- Eyeball Assembly:
- 1 (8 oz) container small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained
- 1 small can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
- Ketchup or sriracha (for ‘bloodshot’ effect, optional)
- Fresh Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- Flavor Boosters & Creaminess:
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Brown the Meat:: First things first, get that skillet hot! Add your ground beef or turkey and break it up with a spoon. You’re looking for a nice, even brown, no pink allowed. I always forget to drain the fat sometimes, so don’t be like me – once it’s browned, tilt the pan and carefully spoon out any excess grease. You don’t want soggy tacos, trust me!
- Season & Simmer:: Once your meat is browned and drained, stir in that taco seasoning and about half a cup of water. Let it simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes, giving all those spices a chance to really get to know the meat. The smell is honestly amazing right about now, a warm, savory hug. This is where the flavor truly develops, so don’t rush it. I once tried to skip the simmer, and the flavor wasn’t quite there, kinda flat.
- Warm the Tortillas:: While the meat is simmering, warm your tortillas. You can do this quickly in a dry skillet, one at a time, for about 20-30 seconds per side until they’re soft and pliable. Or, wrap a stack in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds. I usually just toss them in a warm, dry pan; the slight char adds a little something extra, you know?
- Assemble the Eyeballs:: Here’s the fun part for our Spooky Eyeball Tacos! Take a small mozzarella ball and gently dab it with a tiny bit of ketchup or sriracha for that ‘bloodshot’ effect. Then, place a sliced black olive right in the center for the pupil. Honestly, this step is where the magic happens, and it’s so simple, yet so effective. My hands always get a little messy here, but it’s totally worth it.
- Build Your Tacos:: Now for the main event! Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned meat into each warm tortilla. Then, carefully place one of your assembled ‘eyeballs’ on top of the meat. Add a sprinkle of shredded lettuce and some diced tomatoes around the eyeball. This is where you can get creative, adding as much or as little as you like. I always go heavy on the lettuce for that fresh crunch.
- Add Finishing Touches:: Finally, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top. This adds a lovely creaminess and makes the ‘eyeball’ really stand out against the white background. Serve these immediately! The sight of them, all ghoulish and delicious, is just too good. The whole family will get a kick out of these Spooky Eyeball Tacos!