Mummy Meatloaf Halloween Twist (Printer-Friendly)

A flavorful meatloaf wrapped in puff pastry with black olive eyes, perfect for Halloween gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meatloaf Mixture

01 - 1 lb ground beef (alternative: mix with ground pork for enhanced flavor)
02 - 1/2 cup plain or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup milk
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/4 cup ketchup, plus extra for glaze (optional)
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
10 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional, for color and flavor depth)
11 - Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

→ Pastry and Garnish

12 - 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
13 - 2 black olives, halved for eyes

→ Serving

14 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed for dipping

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line a baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly incorporated without overmixing.
03 - Form the mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared dish. Optionally, brush top with extra ketchup. Bake uncovered for approximately 45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
04 - Remove from oven and let cool about 10 minutes to prevent puff pastry from melting upon contact.
05 - Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips and crisscross-wrap the loaf to mimic mummy bandages, leaving gaps for the eyes.
06 - Return wrapped loaf to oven and bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
07 - Insert halved black olives into the pastry gaps to create eyes. Warm marinara sauce and serve on the side or drizzle over the platter for a festive touch. Slice thickly and serve hot.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Avoid overworking the meat mixture to maintain meatloaf tenderness.
02 - Allow the loaf to cool before wrapping to prevent pastry from melting prematurely.
03 - Consider adding shredded cheese into the mixture for a gooey center.