Looking for a spooky yet delicious Halloween meatloaf? This Spider Meatloaf is the ultimate spider recipe idea - creepy, cute, and totally edible!
Make a spooky-cute spider Halloween meatloaf! A fun spider recipe idea with juicy pork-and-beef loaf and sausage legs - perfect Halloween dinner.
Have you ever searched Pinterest for Halloween food ideas? It can beโฆ a little much! Honestly, I couldn't get past the first few photos - zombie meatloaf, skull-shaped dinners, Frankenstein feetโฆ no thanks. I wanted something Halloween-y but still appetizing - something the kids would love without looking too grotesque.
That's how this spider-shaped meatloaf came to life. It's festive and a little spooky, but still totally edible and even adorable. Think of it as Halloween fun without the gross factor! Check out these cute Owl Cupcakes or the Halloween Brownies, too.
Ingredients: 10 + oil, salt & pepper | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour | Servings: 8 | Difficulty: Easy
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Recipe ingredients
This Halloween meatloaf recipe starts with a simple, classic meatloaf mixture - just with a spooky twist.
Ground Meat: I use a mix of pork and beef for the best flavor and texture. The pork keeps the meatloaf juicy, while the beef adds great flavor.
If you prefer, you can make it all pork or all beef - it's totally up to you. Try the Meatloaf with Eggs next time!
Sausages: Bratwurst works perfectly! Choose sausages that are long enough to form the spider's legs. They'll roast together with the meatloaf, so everything finishes at the same time. Learn how to cook Brats on the Stove, too.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Spider Meatloaf for Halloween
Step #1: Sautรฉ the onions.
Step #2: Soak the bread in a little water; it should be moist but now dripping. Squeeze it lightly if there's too much water.
Step #3: Mix all the mealoaf ingredients.
Step #4: Use about two-thirds of the mixture to form the spider's body (an oval shape). Use the rest to form the head and attach it. Add the olive eyes.
Step #5: Bake the spider meatloaf for 40 minutes, then add the sausages around it.
Step #6: Bake for another 20 minutes until the sausages are golden and the meatloaf is cooked through. Transfer the spider to a platter. Arrange the sausages around the meatloaf to look like spider legs
Store and reheat
Refrigerate: Let the spider meatloaf cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. You can also wrap individual slices in plastic wrap or foil for easy leftovers.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze whole or sliced portions in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat:
- Oven: Cover the meatloaf (whole or sliced) with foil and reheat at 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat individual slices for 1-2 minutes, checking that the center is hot.
How to serve?
This spooky meatloaf looks amazing as the centerpiece for a Halloween dinner table. Serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even spooky green pea mash for extra Halloween vibes.
Inspired by Harry Potter
This recipe was inspired by the Harry Potter books - the giant acromantula from the Forbidden Forest (one of Hagrid's "friends").
If you love magical recipes, you'll also enjoy my other Harry Potter-inspired dishes on Where Is My Spoon.
Do you like this recipe?
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Halloween Spider Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4.5 oz white bread crust removed
- 1.7 lbs ground meat half pork, half beef, Note 1
- 3 eggs
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- 2 teaspoons medium mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons fine sea salt to taste
- ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 long sausages Note 2
- 2 large black olives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF/200ยฐC. Lightly oil a baking tray.
- Chop the onion finely. Heat the oil and cook the onion until softer and golden. Set aside and let cool while you prepare the rest.1 onion + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Soak the white bread chunks in some water for a few minutes. Squeeze the bread well and place it into a bowl.4.5 oz white bread
- Add the ground meat, lightly beaten eggs, grated garlic cloves, paprika powder, mustard, thyme, cooked onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hand. Form the body of the spider using about โ of the meat mixture. Wet your hands and press the ground meat into an oval. Place it on the baking sheet. Use the rest of the mixture to form the head of the spider, as seen in the picture. Stick the olives into the head of the spider as its eyes.1.7 lbs ground meat + 3 eggs + 3 garlic cloves +1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder + 2 teaspoons medium mustard +1 teaspoon dried thyme +1 ยฝ teaspoons fine sea salt + ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper + 2 large black olives
- Roast the "spider" for 40 minutes.
- Add sausages: Remove from the oven and place the sausages around the spider, you don't have to place them into the right position now.8 long sausages
- Continue roasting the spider and the sausages for about 20 minutes, turning the sausages one time in between or until the sausages and the meatloaf are cooked through.
- Serve: Carefully lift the body of the spider and place it onto a large serving platter. Lift the head as well and place it on the platter in the right position. Arrange the sausages around the spider as its legs.
Notes
- Ground meat: You can use either finely ground or coarsely ground bratwurst or any other sausages you like.
- Sausages: Make sure that the sausages are long enough so that they look like spider legs.
angiesrecipes says
That's cute and delicious!