A scare-worthy, crave-worthy take on the classic dish. This beastly-shaped meatloaf is more comfort than creature and is sure to be a monster hit!
He Did the Monster Mash
I love meatloaf. I love Halloween. So, it just makes sense that in my never-ending quest for all things All Hallow’s Eve, I would come across this idea for a monstrous meatloaf dish. A main course that I like to refer to as, “Monster Mash Meatloaf.”
It Was a Graveyard Smash
It’s no surprise that on tonight’s kitchen playlist is that freaky-feel-good number: “Monster Mash.” Which I will insist on playing loud enough to wake the dead. Have you ever wondered how and why such a bizarre song such as, “Monster Mash,” was created? Was it for a movie? A play? Some weird 60’s kids’ show? Well, I looked into it & discovered that the answer to all of those questions is: “No.” Bobby Pickett (along with his bandmate in The Cordials, Leonard Capizzi) wrote the song in 1962 as a spooky spoof of the popular dance-crazes of the time, such as “The Twist” and “The Mashed Potato.”
This crypt-ic (see what I did there?) parody was Number 1 when it hit the Billboard charts in the U.S. that same year. However, the BBC purportedly found the song “too morbid,” and banned it on the airways in the U.K. The ol’ Brits finally gave in to this Monster (Bangers ‘n) Mash song when it was re-released in 1973. At that time, it reached number 3 on the U.K. charts.
Get Sauced
Serve your Monster Mash Meatloaf with your favorite red wine or stout beer while Bobby Pickett’s hit song plays in the background. Eat, drink, and be scary!
Get More Sauced
I have included the links for some of my favorite spooky sides below. For more Halloween-themed & other delicious recipes, visit: saucedblogger.com and click the Menu option for a full listing of all available recipes. Or, click the Blog option to search for a dish by keyword or phrase. Be sure to follow Sauced on Facebook and Instagram for Sauced Quickies (quick & easy recipes shared solely on my socials), & cocktail recipes on Mixology Mondays, Sauced Saturdays, and more! As always, feel free to like, comment, & share. Stay Sauced & spooky out there! Cheers!
Ghostly Mashed Potatoes: Fully Loaded
Check out the recipe for my Mashed Potatoes: Fully Loaded, on Sauced, in the link below. Want to give your potatoes a spooky spin this Halloween season? As pictured above, use a spoon or piping bag to create an apparition worthy of devouring. Then, use caraway seeds or black peppercorns for eyes to create this ghoulish side!
Lizard People Eyes (Deviled Eggs)
If you’re looking for another devilish dish to go with your Monster Mash Meatloaf, check out the recipe for my “Mom’s Deviled Eggs.” I have linked to the blog post and recipe below. Add a little green food coloring to the deviled egg filling and top with sliced black olives for a side dish that’s more treat than trick!
Monster Mash Meatloaf
Ingredients
Ingredients for Monster Mash Meatloaf:
- 1 lb. 90% lean ground chuck or beef
- 1-1 1/2 c. dried breadcrumbs, divided
- 2-3 slices of sandwich bread, chopped into cubes
- 1/2 c. finely diced yellow onion
- 1 Tbsp. largely diced yellow onion (for the monster's "fingernails" and/or "toenails")
- 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 1/3 c. milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp. ketchup
- 1 tsp. mustard
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Ingredients for Monster Mash Meatloaf Sauce:
- 1/4 c. ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat ovento 350° Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, 1/2 c. dry breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and spices. Mix well with your hands.
- Add the egg and mix, until it is fully incorporated into the meat mixture.
- Then, add the bread cubes and mix thoroughly with your hands once again. If the mixture is too wet, sprinkle in additional dry breadcrumbs a 1/2 c. at a time, until the meatloaf reaches a consistency where it is not too dry/wet and sticks together easily.
- Add the meat mixture to a loaf pan or cake pan. Shape the meatloaf into your desired shape, such as: a giant hand, foot, or pumpkin (as seen in the photos included in this post); or any other ghoulish shape your haunted heart desires.
- Use the largely diced onions as "fingernails" and/or "toenails" on the monster's hand or foot, respectively.
- Gently pat the meat down into an even layer and cover with foil. Bake in oven for 20 minutes.
- While your monstrous meatloaf is baking, mix the remaining ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat on low, stirring constantly, for5-10 minutes, until the sauce is fully incorporated and begins to thicken. Remove from heat.
- After 20 minutes of baking, pull meatloaf from oven and remove foil. Top with sauce.
- Return the Monster Mash Meatloaf to the oven and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, uncovered.
- Let the meatloaf rest for approximately 8-10 minutes before slicing and serving.(Otherwise, it may fall apart.)