As Halloween approaches, have you started planning for some spooky fun? If not, let me introduce you to my Mummy Meatballs! These delightful treats are not only a hit at any Halloween gathering but also a fantastic way to get into the spirit of the season.
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Mummy meatball recipe
Mummy Meatballs are a playful and festive dish, particularly popular around Halloween. These ghoulishly delightful appetizers transform ordinary meatballs into bandage-wrapped mini-mummies, making them a fun appetizer or main course.
The meatballs can be made from ground beef, pork, or a mixture, often combined with breadcrumbs and seasonings for flavor. They will be wrapped in dough such as tagliatelle, crescent roll dough, or pizza dough, mimicking the appearance of mummy bandages. This adds a fun visual element to the dish.
Here’s how to make Mummy meatballs:
Mummy meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley optional
- Marinara sauce for dipping
For the mummy wrap
- 1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 24 small olives, or red cherry tomatoes, or sliced red bell peppers for eyes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley (if using). Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 12 equal-sized meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.
- While the meatballs are baking, unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles. Cut each triangle into thin strips.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, take them out of the oven. Wrap the strips of dough around each meatball, leaving a small opening for the “eyes.” Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.
- Remove the Mummy Meatballs from the oven and place two olives in each meatball's opening to resemble eyes.
- Serve the Mummy Meatballs warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use small circles of cheese or pepperoni as eyes.
- Draw eyes using ketchup or mustard after baking
Besides the marina sauce, you can use other Halloween-themed dips to elevate the mummy meatball experience. Here are delicious options that pair beautifully with our wrapped wonders:
- Graveyard Guacamole: Avocado dip with sour cream “tombstones”
- Witch’s Brew Pesto: Green pesto with a swirl of black olive tapenade
- Vampire’s Delight: Roasted red pepper hummus with a balsamic “blood” drizzle
- Zombie Brain Dip: Spinach and artichoke dip molded into a brain shape
- Pumpkin Patch Queso: Cheese dip with a pumpkin puree swirl
Variations
1. Vegan Option
Plant-based mummy meatballs can be made with one of these ingredients:
Base Ingredient | Texture | Flavor Profile | Binding Agent |
Lentils | Soft, slightly grainy | Earthy, nutty | Flax egg |
Mushrooms | Meaty, umami-rich | Savory, woodsy | Chia seeds |
Chickpeas | Firm, slightly crumbly | Mild, versatile | Aquafaba |
Beyond Meat | Very meat-like | Savory, slightly smoky | Not needed |
Jackfruit | Stringy, meat-like | Neutral, absorbs flavors well | Cornstarch |
2. Low-fat Halloween Meatballs
To create lighter versions of these spooky meatballs:
- Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
- Replace half the meat with finely chopped mushrooms
- Incorporate grated zucchini or carrots for added nutrients and moisture
- Use whole-grain breadcrumbs for added fiber
- Bake the meatballs instead of frying them
How to pair
1. Drink pairings: Here are some great suggestions that complement the flavors and textures of this dish:
- Cocktails
- Bloody Mary: This classic cocktail adds a fun, thematic touch to your Halloween gathering. Its savory tomato base pairs perfectly with meatballs, especially if you use spices similar to those in your sauce.
- Apple Cider Margarita: This seasonal drink balances the savory aspects of the meatballs while bringing a festive flair.
- Wine
- Riesling: This versatile wine pairs beautifully with the savory flavors of the meatballs. Its balance of acidity and sweetness works particularly well with marinara sauce, especially if you choose an off-dry Riesling to counteract any spice from added ingredients like jalapeños.
- Pinot Noir: A light-bodied red, Pinot Noir features fruity notes that enhance the meatballs without overpowering them. Its acidity also complements tomato-based sauces nicely.
- Beer
- Pale Ale: The hoppy bitterness of a pale ale provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the meatballs, making it an excellent choice.
- Amber Lager: With its malty sweetness and moderate bitterness, amber lager pairs well with the savory and slightly sweet notes found in accompanying sauces.
- Non-Alcoholic Options
- Sparkling Water with Lime: This refreshing palate cleanser enhances the overall dining experience without overshadowing the flavors of the food.
- Apple or Cranberry Juice: These juices provide a sweet and tart contrast that pairs wonderfully with savory dishes like Mummy Meatballs, making them a great choice for guests who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.
2. Spooky food pairings
Complementary Halloween dishes enhance the overall impact of meatballs:
Mummy Meatballs | Complementary Dish | Thematic Connection |
Classic beef | Roasted red pepper “fingers” | Body parts theme |
Chicken parmesan | Spaghetti squash “brains” | Zombie feast |
Vegan lentil | Stuffed mushroom “eyeballs” | Mad scientist’s lab |
Spicy pork | Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers | Pumpkin patch |
Turkey sage | Witch’s hat calzones | Magical munchies |
3. Mummy Meatballs for Halloween Fun
Here are some ideas to inspire your own spooky scenes:
- Graveyard Galore: Arrange mummy meatballs on a bed of “dirt” crushed chocolate cookies with pretzel stick “tombstones” and vegetable “skeleton” parts.
- Mummy’s Tomb: Create a pyramid structure using stacked meatballs, surrounded by “sand” breadcrumbs and decorated with edible hieroglyphics.
- Monster Mash: Combine Halloween meatballs with other creature-themed foods like deviled egg “eyeballs” and breadstick “bones” in a whimsical monster party scene.
- Witch’s Cauldron: Serve mummy meatballs in a large black cauldron filled with smoky dry ice, alongside colorful “potion” dipping sauces.
- Haunted Forest: Arrange meatballs among broccoli “trees,” cauliflower “fog,” and twisted pretzel “branches” to create an eerie woodland scene.
Troubleshooting common issues
1. Crumbly or dry meatballs
Crumbly or dry meatballs can derail the making process. To deal with this:
- Add moisture: Incorporate grated onions, zucchini, or even a splash of milk to the mixture.
- Don’t overmix: Gentle handling prevents tough, dry meatballs.
- Use a panade: A mixture of bread and milk adds moisture and tenderness.
- Check your meat-to-binder ratio: Too much breadcrumb can lead to dryness.
- Consider your cooking method: Baking at a lower temperature for longer can help retain moisture.
2. Overcooked or undercooked meatballs
For overcooked meatballs:
- Simmer in sauce: This can help reintroduce moisture.
- Repurpose into a meatball pasta bake: Cover with sauce and cheese, then bake.
- Slice and use as a pizza topping: The extra cooking won’t matter as much.
For undercooked meatballs:
- Return to the oven: Wrap in foil to prevent drying out.
- Finish cooking in simmering sauce: This adds flavor while completing the cooking process.
- Microwave in short bursts: Be careful not to overdo it.
The key to salvaging meatballs lies in creative repurposing. Even if they don’t cut stand-alone mummy meatballs, they can still contribute to a delicious Halloween feast in other forms.