Mummy Meatloaf

Name: Mummy Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil; 1 yellow onion diced; 1 cup cracker crumbs; 1 1/4 tsp Mrs. Dash seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 cup milk; 3/4 cup ketchup; 4 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb ground breakfast sausage; 1 egg beaten; 1 sheet puff pastry (chilled, in the fridge); 1 egg mixed with 1 tsp water; 2 edible eyes

By Katherine

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Sep 21, 2024

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My tender and spooky mummy meatloaf is perfect for Halloween night! This classic meatloaf is shaped and wrapped in puff pastry to resemble a mummy, complete with edible eyes – festive and delicious!

We love to make this festive dinner before trick or treating – its as tasty as it is adorable.

A mummy meatloaf wrapped in pastry, decorated with candy eyes. Plastic spiders and bone-shaped props are scattered around on a baking tray.

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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!

Halloween Mummy Meatloaf
How to Make SPooky Mummy Meatloaf
Tips and Tricks for Mummy Meatloaf
More Halloween Recipes
Mummy Meatloaf Recipe

Halloween Mummy Meatloaf

I am the queen of Halloween parties!

Back in college they looked a little different than they do now with four kids participating, but that doesn’t mean your Halloween party can’t be super fun and creepy.

Last year I made my classic Dead Man Meatloaf which is also a blast, but this year I decided to create mummy meatloaf for our ghostly party.

I make the meatloaf using a combination of 2 parts ground beef to one part ground pork. The pork adds a wonderful fat and flavor and keeps the meatloaf moist, especially when it is baked with the puff pastry. You can add other flavors to your meatloaf and spices.

Sometimes I add sauteed spinach to my meatloaf to get more greens in my kids or some balsamic vinegar in place of half the Worcestershire sauce. At the end of it all you want a moldable meatloaf mixture that you can shape and decorate into your mummy. If you don’t have edible eyes you can use black olives, its worth having some candy eyes around though when planning your Halloween menu, I like this large and small set. Enjoy!

A mummy meatloaf shaped like a playful mummy with googly eyes, placed on a baking tray alongside decorative spiders and bone-shaped treats.

How to Make SPooky Mummy Meatloaf

First assemble the following ingredients:

Olive oil (1 tsp) – Use olive oil to lightly sauté the onions, adding depth of flavor to the meatloaf base.
Yellow onion (1) – Finely chop and sauté the yellow onion to add moisture and a sweet, savory note to the meatloaf.
Cracker crumbs (1 cup) – Crushed cracker crumbs help bind the meat mixture while adding a subtle crunch and flavor.
Mrs. Dash seasoning (1 1/4 tsp) – This salt-free seasoning blend enhances the meatloaf with a mix of herbs and spices for extra flavor.
Garlic powder (1/2 tsp) – A dash of garlic powder adds an aromatic and earthy layer of flavor without overpowering the dish.
Milk (1/4 cup) – Milk softens the cracker crumbs, ensuring the meatloaf stays tender and moist.
Ketchup (3/4 cup) – Ketchup brings a tangy sweetness to the meatloaf mixture and serves as a “bloody” glaze for the mummy.
Worcestershire sauce (4 tsp) – This umami-rich sauce deepens the meatloaf’s savory profile with a hint of complexity.
Ground beef (1 lb) – Ground beef forms the hearty base of the meatloaf, providing richness and substance.
Ground breakfast sausage (1/2 lb) – Adding ground sausage gives the meatloaf an extra layer of flavor with a touch of spice.
Egg (1) – The egg binds the ingredients together, ensuring the meatloaf holds its shape while cooking.
Sheet puff pastry (1) – Thin strips of puff pastry are wrapped around the meatloaf to create the classic mummy bandage look.
Egg mixed with 1 tsp water – A light egg wash over the pastry strips helps them turn golden brown and crispy during baking.
Edible eyes (2) – Add spooky edible eyes made from olives, onions, or candy to bring your mummy meatloaf to life!

A variety of cooking ingredients, ideal for crafting mummy meatloaf, including ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, puff pastry sheets, grass-fed organic ground beef, all-natural sausage, brown sugar, onions, breadcrumbs, and milk.

A bowl of barbecue sauce with a silicone brush in it sits on a marble surface, ready to glaze the savory mummy meatloaf next to a folded striped cloth.

A glass bowl containing a mix of breadcrumbs and spices is surrounded by a bottle of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, ground beef, an egg, and a package of hot Italian sausage on a marble surface—perfect ingredients for crafting a delectable mummy meatloaf.

A glass bowl filled with a mixture of ground meat, onions, and seasonings for the perfect mummy meatloaf sits on a countertop alongside a folded kitchen cloth.

Ground meat mixed with diced onions, shaped into a rough figure resembling a mummy, placed on a metal baking tray.

A large mummy meatloaf covered in sauce rests on a ribbed baking sheet.

A mummy meatloaf shaped like a baby on a baking sheet, partially wrapped in strips of dough.

A mummy meatloaf wrapped in strips of pastry, placed on a metal baking tray.

Once you gather your ingredients, we will use the following message:

Prep Pan. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray and set aside.
Sauté Onion. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet on the stovetop to medium heat. Add the onion and cook till translucent, 5-7 minutes.
Combine Binder. Combine the garlic powder and Mrs. Dash seasoning with the cracker crumbs and milk in a large bowl and set aside.
Mix Topping. Combine 1/2 cup of ketchup and 1 tbsp of the Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl and set it aside.
Combine Meat Mixture. Add the ground beef, sausage, remaining ketchup and Worcestershire, egg, seasoning mix, and garlic powder to the large bowl with the soaked cracker crumbs. Mix until well combined.
Shape. Using your hands, arrange the meatloaf mixture on the prepared baking sheet to form a head and mummy body.
Glaze. Spread the Worcestershire sauce and ketchup mixture over the meatloaf.
Bake. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 50 minutes.
Cool. Remove the mummy meatloaf from the oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes, if you don’t let it cool the puff pastry may slide off it.
Decorate with Pastry. Use a pizza cutter to cut long strips of puff pastry, cover the mummy meatloaf body and head with the strips. Brush the egg and water egg wash over the puff pastry.
Final Bake. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes or more until the puff pastry is golden brown and the thickest part of the meatloaf registers at 160 degrees.

A baked dish resembling a mummy meatloaf, made from wrapped pastry with googly eyes, is placed on a baking sheet along with plastic spiders and bone decorations.

Tips and Tricks for Mummy Meatloaf

Shape the Meatloaf into a Mummy – Form the meatloaf into an oval or tapered shape to mimic a body, with a slight indent for the “head.”

Partially Cook the Meatloaf First – Bake the meatloaf halfway through before adding the pastry strips to prevent overcooking the dough.

Use Puff Pastry or Crescent Dough – Cut the dough into thin strips to wrap around the meatloaf, leaving small gaps to resemble mummy bandages.

Leave Space for the Eyes – Be sure to leave a small space near the top of the loaf to add eyes later, enhancing the mummy look.

Add Eyes After Baking – Use sliced olives, small onions, or even cheese for eyes, placing them after baking to ensure they don’t burn or melt.

Check for Doneness – Ensure the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches at least 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.

Let the Meatloaf Rest – Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it hold its shape when sliced.

Serve with “Bloody” Sauce – Serve the mummy meatloaf with ketchup or a tangy marinara sauce on the side for a creepy Halloween touch.

FAQs

How do I shape the meatloaf to look like a mummy?

After mixing your meatloaf ingredients, shape the meat mixture into an elongated oval on a baking sheet. Create a slight “head” section at one end for where the mummy’s face will be. Once baked, this shape will form the body of the mummy.

How do I make the mummy’s eyes?

You can use slices of black olives or halved cherry tomatoes as eyes. Stick them onto the “face” area of the meatloaf using a little dab of ketchup or mustard as glue. You can also use small mozzarella balls for more eye detail.

How do I keep the meatloaf moist?

To prevent a dry meatloaf, avoid overmixing the meat mixture, which can make it tough. Adding moisture-rich ingredients like ketchup, eggs, or milk helps, as does covering the loaf loosely with foil during the first half of the bake.

Can I make the mummy meatloaf ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatloaf mixture and shape it in advance. Wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. The puff pastry wrapping should be added just before the final bake for the best texture.

Can I make a vegetarian version of mummy meatloaf?

Absolutely! You can use a plant-based ground meat substitute, lentil loaf, or veggie meatloaf mix to create a vegetarian or vegan version. The process for shaping and baking remains the same.

Can I freeze mummy meatloaf?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatloaf before adding the crescent roll wrapping. Allow it to cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, and then add the dough strips before reheating.