Spooky Halloween Meatloaf: A Creepy Mummy Meatloaf

Looking for a savoury Halloween recipe that will make everyone at the table do a double take? This spooky Halloween meatloaf is shaped like a creepy monster's head, complete with onion eyes, jagged teeth and strips of bacon wrapped around it like bloody bandages.

It's a fun and slightly gruesome centrepiece for a Halloween dinner, and it is made with simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. The mixture combines minced meat, Parmesan cheese, parsley and finely chopped pickles, while the bacon adds flavour and gives the meatloaf its mummy-like appearance.

The best part? The effect is even more impressive once you remove the onion slices used for the eyes. I discovered this by accident while eating, and the resulting hollow eye sockets were wonderfully creepy!

Spooky Halloween Meatloaf Recipe

Yield: 6 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Resting time: None
Cooking time: 30–40 minutes

Ingredients

• 500 g minced meat of your choice (I use a mixture of beef and pork)
• 1 white onion
• 4–5 pickled gherkins
• 1 egg
• 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
• A handful of chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 4–5 thin slices of bacon

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Place the minced meat in a bowl. Add the egg, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley and finely chopped pickled gherkins. Season with salt and black pepper, then mix everything together until well combined.
3. Shape the mixture into a head-like form. Use your fingers to create shallow hollows for the eyes and nose, giving the meatloaf a suitably monstrous appearance.
4. Cut two thin slices or curved pieces from the onion and press them gently into the meat to form the eyes.
5. Cut the remaining onion into small rectangular pieces and arrange them to create a row of teeth.
6. Drape the bacon slices randomly over the meatloaf, as though they were mummy bandages. Leave some of the meat visible between the strips for an even creepier effect.
7. Transfer the meatloaf to a baking dish and bake at 200°C (400°F) for approximately 30–40 minutes, until thoroughly cooked. Cooking time will depend on the thickness and shape of your meatloaf.
8. Allow it to rest briefly before serving. For an extra-spooky presentation, remove the onion pieces used for the eyes just before bringing the meatloaf to the table to reveal the hollow eye sockets.

Notes

• Keep the thickness even. Try to shape the meatloaf so that no sections are much thicker than others. Otherwise, the thinner parts may cook before the thicker sections are ready.
• Make the eyes extra creepy. Removing the onion slices after cooking can leave surprisingly realistic-looking hollows. I discovered this by accident, and it was one of the best parts of the recipe!
• Check that the meat is cooked through. Because the meatloaf is shaped rather than formed into a standard loaf, cooking time can vary. Check the centre before serving.

This spooky meatloaf is perfect for a Halloween dinner, a themed buffet or a family meal with a monstrous twist. Serve it with roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes or your favourite autumn vegetables for a complete Halloween feast.