Get ready to terrify—and delight—your guests this Halloween with this spooky Zombie Meatloaf! Shaped like a gory zombie face, complete with “eyeballs” and a “blood” glaze, this recipe is perfect for themed parties, family dinners, or just for fun. Not only is it visually impressive, but it’s also packed with rich, savory flavors that everyone will love. Follow our tips for sculpting the perfect zombie face and creating a realistic, “bloody” glaze for maximum fright factor.
Duration / Prep Time
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 zombie-shaped meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- ½ lb ground pork (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Zombie Face Details:
- 4 slices of bacon (for “muscles” or “veins”)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (halved for eyes)
- Black olives (for pupils)
- Almond slivers or small onion pieces (for teeth/fingernails)
Bloody Glaze:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional for extra zing)
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Set to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan if preferred.
- Prepare the meat mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika.
- Mix thoroughly but gently—overmixing can make the meatloaf dense.
- Shape the zombie face:
- Form the meat mixture into a rough oval or skull shape on the baking sheet.
- Gently press in halved eggs for eyes and add black olive pupils.
- Use almond slivers or small onion pieces for teeth and fingernails.
- Lay strips of bacon across the “face” for a veiny, muscular effect.
- Make the glaze:
- In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
- Brush generously over the meatloaf, reserving a little to add more “blood” halfway through baking.
- Bake:
- Place meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C).
- About halfway through baking, brush with remaining glaze for extra color and shine.
- Rest and serve:
- Remove meatloaf from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Arrange on a platter for maximum horror effect—consider serving on a bed of mashed potatoes for a “graveyard” presentation.
Tips & Best Practices:
- Chill the meat mixture slightly before sculpting to make shaping easier.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the zombie is fully cooked inside.
- For extra gory effect, lightly drizzle additional ketchup around the plate to simulate “blood.”
Nutrition Facts (per serving) — Estimated values
- Calories: 420
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
- Sodium: 680mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 32g
Conclusion
This Zombie Meatloaf is a showstopper for Halloween! Its spooky presentation, combined with the savory, juicy meat and sweet-and-tangy glaze, makes it both fun and delicious. With a little creativity and careful attention to detail, you can create a terrifying centerpiece that will amaze your guests and delight even the pickiest eaters. Perfect for Halloween parties, themed dinners, or just an evening of ghoulish fun in the kitchen. Don’t forget to snap a photo before serving—it’s almost too scary to eat!
