Ingredients
Scale
- 4 English muffins (split in half)
- 1 cup high-quality pizza sauce or marinara
- 8 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese (or thick-cut deli mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. Split the English muffins in half and place them cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Toast the muffins in the oven for 3 minutes before adding any toppings; this ensures the bread stays crispy and doesn’t get soggy from the sauce.
- While the muffin bases toast, prepare your cheese ghosts. Take your mozzarella slices and use a small paring knife or a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut out ghost silhouettes. If you are doing this by hand, keep the shapes slightly irregular to give each ghost its own “personality.” Set the scraps aside to melt into your next omelet or grilled cheese.
- Remove the toasted muffins from the oven. Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce onto each muffin half, reaching almost to the edges. Sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder and dried oregano over the sauce to boost the flavor profile. This creates a savory, aromatic base for your cheese ghosts.
- Place one cheese ghost in the center of each sauced muffin. Slide the baking sheet back into the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes. Watch closely! You want the cheese to soften and melt slightly so it looks “ghoulish,” but you don’t want it to lose its ghost shape or turn brown.
- Remove the pizzas from the oven. Carefully place two small pieces of sliced black olives onto each ghost to create eyes. You can also add a small olive circle for a “moaning” mouth. Serve immediately while the cheese is warm and stretchy. Garnish with a little fresh basil if you want a pop of color!
- Cook Time: 20 minutes