Mini Monster Meatloaf (Fun Halloween Dinner Recipe)

Boys and ghouls of all ages are going to love my mini monster meatloaf recipe for a fun Halloween dinner! When the month of October arrives, I'm always looking for fun family dinner ideas to celebrate the Halloween season. However, finding recipes my sometimes picky 8-year-old will eat can be a challenge. That's why I've taken my favorite meatloaf recipe and made it kid-friendly.

this recipe

With pimiento-stuffed olives for eye sockets and a sweet "bloody" ketchup topping, these individual meatloaves are sure to be the star of your spooky meal. Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans to round out this delicious Halloween dinner.

Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or you just want to get into the spirit of Halloween and make a spooky dinner, this is an easy recipe the whole family will love.

When I'm in a rush, I often buy the refrigerated mashed potatoes you can find in the dairy or deli departments of the grocery store (shh! don't tell). If you want to make mashed potatoes from scratch though, check out my Classic Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe I developed for Yummly. They're actually really easy to make and (are a lot better than store-bought if you have the time to make them).

And, if you need more easy recipe ideas that the kiddos will love, be sure to check out my Cast Iron Chicken Parm and Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Dijon Marinade.

Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s gather the ingredients we need for these Halloween mini monster meatloaves:

• panko bread crumbs
• beef broth
• ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• garlic powder
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• large eggs
• onion
• ground beef
• ground pork
• brown sugar
• apple cider vinegar
• pimiento-stuffed olives
• toothpicks

(See recipe card for quantities.)

Instructions

Now that we’ve got our ingredients, it’s time to get cooking!

First, combine the panko and beef broth and let stand until softened. Add the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.

Next, whisk the eggs and add to the breadcrumb mixture along with the remaining seasonings, onion, ground beef, and ground pork, mixing just until combined.

Then, press the meat mixture evenly into the prepared muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Finally, make the glaze and brush on the meatloaves. Bake until the meatloaves are done and decorate with the olive eyeballs.

Substitutions

Need some suggestions for ingredient substitutions? I've got you covered:

• Ground pork - if you can't find regular ground pork, substitute ground pork sausage or bratwurst and remove the casings.
• Gluten-free - use gluten-free panko instead of regular panko to make these mini meatloaves.
• Pork-free - I like to use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for my meatloaf, but feel free to use all ground beef or ground beef plus ground veal instead of pork.

Variations

Here are even more ways to make this recipe your own:

• Spicy - I love how kid-friendly this recipe is, but if you are a fan of spicy food, add a little crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture to give this Halloween meatloaf some heat.
• Barbecue - instead of the ketchup glaze, use bbq sauce to brush on the meatloaves.
• Cheesy - add shredded Cheddar cheese to the meatloaf mixture to give these a cheeseburger twist.

Equipment

Here's what you'll need to make this mini monster meatloaf recipe:

• dry measuring cups
• liquid measuring cup
• measuring spoons
• large mixing bowl
• 12-well muffin tin
• rimmed baking sheet
• whisk
• small bowl
• pastry brush
• instant-read thermometer

Storage

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

These Halloween mini monster meatloaves hold up well in the freezer. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Reheat thawed meatloaves in the microwave. You may want to make extra ketchup glaze to spoon on the top.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips

When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:

• Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
• When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
• I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
• When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.

Food safety

Follow these food safety guidelines when making this recipe

• Cook the meatloaves to a minimum temperature of 160°F.
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
• Wash your hands after touching raw meat.
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.