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Home > Holidays and Events > Halloween > Severed Finger Pasta – Halloween Pasta

Severed Finger Pasta – Halloween Pasta

Updated: Nov 11th 2019 • Published: Oct 18th 2019 • Leave a Comment

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close up on the Frankfurt severed finger in the halloween pasta with text at the top and bottom
close up on the hotdog severed fingers in this halloween pasta with text at the top
a black bowl of halloween pasta with 'severed fingers' with text at the top
A black bowl of severed finger pasta with text at the top and bottom
close up on the hotdog severed fingers in this halloween pasta with text at the top
Frankfurts being cut into fingers and then used in pasta with text in the middle
a black bowl of red pasta with hotdog fingers in it with text at the bottom
close up on the hotdog severed fingers in this halloween pasta with text at the top
Frankfurts being cut into fingers and then used in pasta with text in the middle
close up on the hotdog severed fingers in this halloween pasta with text at the top

This super spooky ‘Severed Finger’ Pasta makes a fun Halloween dinner for kids or adults. 

The ‘fingers’ are made from frankfurter sausages – with some easy yet clever cutting they become fingers and then nestled in the red sauce pasta they look fabulously scary. The sauce (with hidden veg) is so easy to make and adds to the dramatic effect of this spooky dinner.

Halloween is so packed full of candy it is nice to have an easy Halloween meal up your sleeve.

A black bowl of red pasta with frankfurter sausage fingers with potion bottles in the background

We all love the candy and chocolate of Halloween, but so many Halloween recipes are sweet cakes and treats. Don’t get me wrong I love them too, my Halloween brains are one of my favorite creations! But sometimes it is good to have a few Halloween meal ideas at the ready. 

That could be a quick snack like my ‘Snake Tongue’ rolls (spoiler – they are made with franks!) or an easy appetizer like my ‘Bat’ wings or Witches Hat Cheese Ball. 

But today I want to share a Halloween Dinner idea – Severed Finger Pasta. 

Not that I think you need a heads up…but these aren’t real fingers…they are made from hotdog sausages (aka Franks or Frankfurters).

close up on the frankfurter sausage finger on a bed of halloween pasta

Jump Menu

  • How to turn Frankfurters into Halloween fingers
  • How to make the red sauce for pasta
  • What pasta to pick?
  • Can this be made ahead of time?
  • Severed Finger Pasta – Halloween Pasta Recipe

How to turn Frankfurters into Halloween fingers

These severed fingers are actually really easy to produce. 

  • Start by making the ‘finger nails’ and cutting 16 small squares out of onion.
  • Cut each frank in half
  • Cut thin shallow indents into the frank, about 1/3 up from the cut end. (This will be the knuckle)
  • Turn the knife horizontally and cut off a thin flat slice at the top of the frank to make a nail end.
  • The pictures below show this cutting process more clearly.
  • The sausages and onion squares are then simmered in water for 5 minutes to heat through. The hot water also opens up the shallow indents and makes them start to look like knuckles.
  • Once the ‘fingers’ have cooked a little tomato sauce is added to the nail area to stick on the onion nails.
  • Severed fingers completed. These can then be nestled in the pasta.
step by step pictures showing how to turn franks into fingers

How to make the red sauce for pasta

This sauce is an adaption my standard red sauce, but to ensure it looks very blood-like, I have added a couple of drops of red food coloring to the mixture. Feel free to leave that out though.

The sauce starts with onion, red bell pepper, carrots, and garlic. These are sauteed gently in olive oil with salt and oregano until soft. Then it is just a case of adding them to a blender or food processor along with a 28oz can of diced tomatoes. A little more seasoning and the sauce is ready to use. It can be simmered again gently to heat back through and reduce any liquid further if needed.

You can leave the sauce a bit chunkier, or if puree it up until smooth and almost creamy in texture. (that is our favourite).

close up on the red sauce of the halloween pasta

What pasta to pick?

I felt that penne would allow me to really nestle the fingers down into the bowl of pasta, but any shape like that would work – rigatoni, ziti fusilli. Even shells could be good.

Or go for a long pasta like spaghetti or linguine. 

Can this be made ahead of time?

The fingers can be prepped ahead of time, but they want to be cooked just before you eat as franks tend to dry out of left too long.

The pasta sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and then kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 

If you want to cook the pasta in advance, cook it a little less than you usually do, dress it with some of the sauce and keep in the refrigerator. It can then be heated up with a splash of water and more sauce in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

a black table with potion bottles, pumpkin and cobwebs with a black bowl of red halloween pasta.

Enjoy x

For more spooky halloween food ideas try:

  • Witches Hair Pasta
  • ‘Snakes’ Tongue Rolls – Halloween Hot Dogs
  • Rice Krispies Treat Marshmallow Brains
  • Witches Hat Cheese Ball
  • Sweet and Sour ‘Bat’ Wings

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a black bowl willed with red penne and frankfurter fingers
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Severed Finger Pasta – Halloween Pasta Recipe

This super spooky ‘Severed Finger’ pasta makes a fun Halloween dinner for kids or adults. The ‘fingers’ are made from frankfurter sausages – with some easy clever cutting they become fingers and then nestled in the red sauce pasta they look fabulously scary. The sauce (with hidden veg) is so easy to make and adds to the dramatic effect of this Easy Halloween dinner. Halloween is so packed full of candy it is nice to have an easy Halloween meal idea up your sleeve.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 634kcal
Author: Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts
For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
Need Metric Measurements?Use the options below to toggle between cups and grams (if relevant)

Ingredients

US Customary – Grams

For the sauce

  • 1 large onion (peeled and chopped) – see note 1
  • 1 carrot (peeled and finely chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 garlic cloves (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano/italain herbs
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (28oz/800g can)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3-5 drops red food coloring – optional

For the fingers and pasta

  • 8 frankfurter sausages – see note 2
  • onion – see note 1
  • 14 oz pasta – see note 3

Instructions

To make the pasta sauce

  • Add the olive oil to a large frying pan, skillet or saute pan.
  • Add the onions, carrots, bell peppers and salt. Cook these for 10-15 minutes over medium heat until soft.
  • Add the chopped garlic and oregano, then cook over low heat for a further 5 minutes.
  • Tip the contents of the pan into the blender or food processor, add the canned tomatoes, sugar, black pepper, and red food coloring if using. Then whizz until the sauce is smooth.
  • Return the sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer, keep the sauce warm until the pasta and fingers are cooked.

For the “Severed Fingers”

  • Cut small squares from the onion for fingernails.
  • Cut each frankfurt/hotdogs in half.
  • Make three small indents about 1/3 up from the cut end.
  • In the rounded end of the frank, turn your knife horizontally and cut off a small square nail indent. (see the main post for pictures of these cuts).
  • Bring a pan of water to the simmer and then cook your onions and franks for 5 minutes until heated through.
  • Use a little tomato sauce to ‘glue’ the onion nails onto the fingers.

To cook the pasta

  • Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add 1 tbsp of salt and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.
  • Reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
  • Return it to the pan and add 3 or 4 spoonfuls of the red pasta sauce.
  • Stir gently over low heat to combine the pasta, add a splash of the cooking water. Add more sauce until coated to your liking.
  • Serve with the severed fingers nestled amongst the pasta.

Notes

  1. When chopping the onion cut your 16 ‘fingernails’ out and set to one side, this saves you having to use a second onion for just a few pieces.
  2. I like to use chicken and pork frankfurter sausages but use your favorite brand of hotdog/frankfurter.
  3. Any pasta will work here, rigatoni, ziti fusilli, shells or long pasta like spaghetti or linguine.

Nutrition

Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 101g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 1062mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1052IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 5mg
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Hi, I’m Claire,

Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts

I believe cooking for those you love should be stress free and simple.

Here on Sprinkles and Sprouts you will find delicious meals all made with easy to find grocery store ingredients. Family friendly mains, sensational sides and delicious desserts. Plus a great selection of party food and appetizers.

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