Every October, my kitchen turns into a mini Halloween workshop – and these adorable mini mummy meatloaves always steal the show! I still remember the first time I made them for my then-toddler, who squealed “Mama! Mummies!” when I brought them to the table. Now it’s our annual tradition – these little guys are just as perfect for Tuesday night dinners as they are for Halloween parties. The best part? That moment when piping the mashed potatoes turns ordinary turkey meatloaf into these hilarious, edible mummies that make even picky eaters giggle with delight.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Mini Mummy Meatloaves
- Kid-approved fun: The mummy design turns dinner into a game – my kids love adding the pea eyes and watching these little guys come to life!
- Easy to make: With simple ingredients and a muffin tin, you’ll have these mini mummy meatloaves ready in under an hour.
- Festive & creative: Perfect for Halloween or just adding a little whimsy to your weeknight meals.
- Healthy twist: Ground turkey keeps it lean, while carrots sneak in some extra veggies without anyone noticing.
Ingredients for Mini Mummy Meatloaves
- 1 pound ground turkey (or beef) – I like turkey for a lighter option, but beef works just as well if that’s what you’ve got.
- 2 eggs, beaten – These bind everything together perfectly.
- 3 tablespoons ketchup, divided – You’ll use some in the mix and some for brushing on top.
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce – Adds that savory depth we all love.
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely shredded – Fresh is best here – trust me, it makes a difference!
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – Because everything’s better with garlic.
- 1 small onion, finely diced (optional) – I skip it if my kids are being picky, but it’s delicious if you add it.
- ½ teaspoon sea salt – Just enough to bring out all the flavors.
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper – A little kick never hurts.
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs – Helps keep the mini mummy meatloaves nice and tender.
- 1 cup mashed potatoes – Homemade or boxed, either works for that mummy wrap.
- 24 peas – For the eyes – they’re the cutest part!
How to Make Mini Mummy Meatloaves
These adorable mini mummy meatloaves come together in just a few simple steps. I promise – even if you’re not the crafty type, the “mummy” effect is way easier than it looks!
Preparing the Meatloaf Mixture
First things first – preheat that oven to 375°F and line your muffin tin with liners (trust me, cleanup will be a breeze). In a big bowl, whisk together the eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire, salt and pepper until they’re best friends. Then gently mix in the turkey, carrots, garlic, onion (if using), and bread crumbs. Here’s my secret: don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tough little mummies! Just combine until everything’s evenly distributed.
Baking and Decorating
Scoop the mixture into your prepared muffin tin – I use a cookie scoop for perfect portions. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through (165°F if you’re checking with a thermometer). Now the fun part! Brush the tops with that reserved ketchup and bake 5 more minutes – this gives them that classic meatloaf “glow.” Let them cool just enough so you can handle them, then pipe on your mashed potatoes in crazy zig-zags (use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off if you don’t have a piping bag). Two peas for eyes, and voila – the cutest little mummies you ever did see!
Tips for Perfect Mini Mummy Meatloaves
Here are my go-to tricks for making these mini mummy meatloaves a total hit every time! First, use a piping bag (or even a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off) for the mashed potatoes – it makes that mummy wrap so much easier. Second, a meat thermometer is your best friend – pull them out at 165°F for perfect doneness. Finally, don’t be afraid to swap in other veggies like zucchini or spinach if that’s what your family loves. Oh, and one last thing – let them cool for a few minutes before piping the potatoes, or they might slide right off!
Ingredient Substitutions
Don’t stress if you’re missing something – these mini mummy meatloaves are super flexible! Swap the turkey for ground beef if that’s what’s in your fridge (I do it all the time). Panko works great instead of regular breadcrumbs for extra crunch. And here’s a fun twist – try sweet potato mash instead of regular for an orange “mummy wrap” that really pops!
Serving Suggestions
Turn dinner into a Halloween party with these fun pairings! I always serve the extra peas from decorating – they’re the perfect side. Clementine “pumpkins” (just stick a celery stem in the top!) make the plate extra festive. A simple green salad with a tangy dressing balances everything out beautifully.
Storing and Reheating
These mini mummy meatloaves keep like a dream! Pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days – though mine never last that long. Want to freeze them? They’ll stay happy for 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. The oven brings back that perfect crispiness – microwaving makes the potatoes soggy (we don’t want sad mummies!).
Mini Mummy Meatloaves FAQs
Can I make these ahead? Absolutely! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture up to a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Just scoop and bake when you’re ready. You can also fully assemble them and freeze for later – they’re perfect for busy weeknights!
How do I prevent dryness? The secret is in the mix – don’t overwork the meat, and make sure you’re using enough moisture from the eggs, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Freshly grated carrots also help keep them juicy. And always check the internal temp – pull them out at 165°F for perfect tenderness.
Can I use something besides peas for the eyes? Of course! Sliced black olives or even tiny pieces of bell pepper work great. Get creative – it’s all about the fun!
What if I don’t have a muffin tin? No problem! You can shape them into mini loaves on a baking sheet. They won’t be as uniform, but they’ll still taste just as delicious.
Nutritional Information
Each mini mummy meatloaf is about 180 calories and packs 15g of protein – perfect for a healthy, filling meal. Keep in mind, these values are estimates and may vary slightly based on your ingredients. Now go make these little mummies and tag us if you do! tag us if you do!
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Delightful Mini Mummy Meatloaves in Under 1 Hour
Fun and festive mini mummy meatloaves made with ground turkey, mashed potatoes, and peas. Perfect for Halloween or any family dinner.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Turkey (or ground beef)
- 2 Eggs (beaten)
- 3 tablespoons ketchup*
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Carrots (peeled and finely shredded)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (optional, finely diced)
- 1⁄2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons Ketchup (for brushing on top)
- 1 cup mashed potatoes (to pipe on top)
- 24 Peas (for eyes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Prepare a (12 well) muffin tin by inserting liners into wells. Then set aside.
- Next, prep all necessary food as described above: shred carrots, mince garlic, and fine dice onion, if using.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- Divide meat mixture between the 12 wells of your pan.
- Then, transfer to your pre-heated oven. Cook approximately 15-20 minutes, or until turkey is cooked through.
- Once turkey is cooked through, remove muffin tin from oven, and brush tops of meatloaf muffins with a small amount of ketchup over top. Cook for approximately 5 minutes more. Then remove from oven to allow to slightly cool.
- While your turkey meatloaf muffins are cooking, makes mashed potatoes and peas. You can make mashed potatoes like you usually would make them (a homemade recipe), or can use a boxed mix of choice. One potatoes are done, scoop a portion of them in a Ziploc bag, and then snip the end of the bag (so that it resembles a pastry bag). Place cooked peas in a serving bowl. Set both aside.
- Once muffins are slightly cooled, pipe potatoes back and forth across the top of each of your muffins, until the design resembles a mummy, as shown in these photos.
- Then use sliced olives or peas to create eyes. If using peas for eyes, go ahead and serve the remainder of the peas for a side. Another fun idea? – A clementine “pumpkin.” Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Yields 12 Regular-sized Muffins
- You can use ground beef instead of turkey if preferred.
- For a quicker option, use boxed mashed potatoes.
- Serve with additional peas or a clementine pumpkin for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
