Description
Create spooky and fun Halloween ground beef recipes for a memorable dinner. These mini meatloaves, shaped like rats or mice, are perfect for kids and parties. Easy to make and customizable, they offer a savory twist to your Halloween menu.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Sliced black olives (for eyes and noses)
- Spaghetti noodles (for whiskers and tails)
- Almond slivers (for teeth or claws)
- Bell pepper strips (for ears or tails)
- Ketchup or BBQ sauce (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, oats, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 6–8 small meatloaves, forming them into mouse or rat shapes with pointed noses and rounded bodies. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Decorate the meatloaves before baking: insert spaghetti pieces for whiskers, use olive slices or bell pepper circles for ears, add almond slivers for teeth (optional), and place olive halves for eyes and nose. Press a spaghetti noodle or pepper strip into the back for a tail.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the meatloaves reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- In the last 5 minutes of baking, brush the meatloaves with ketchup or BBQ sauce for a glossy, “bloody” finish.
- Serve immediately, garnished with festive sides.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat to ensure tender meatloaves.
- Shape smaller loaves to help them hold their form.
- Add grated carrots or zucchini to the mixture for extra nutrition.
- Shapes can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight, then baked the next day.
- Kids enjoy decorating these Halloween ground beef creations with spooky details.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Halloween
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini meatloaf