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What’s Up, Hungry People

Tonight, we’re going on a murderous cooking spree. From an unwilling victim, we’ll be making oozing meatloaf brains smothered in a sweet and spicy bloody barbecue sauce and filled with a molten mozzarella and ricotta center. The brain can be served as a meaty appetizer with crackers for friendly cannibals or served Dahmer style and cut into pieces. SSDGM!

Here’s What You Need

Ground beef: Forms the base of the meatloaf brain.
Bread crumbs: Helps bind the meat together.
Onion powder: Adds a subtle, savory flavor.
Garlic powder: Provides a rich, aromatic taste.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
Mozzarella cheese ball: Creates a gooey, molten center.
Ricotta cheese: Adds creaminess to the filling.
Tomato paste: Forms the base of the bloody sauce.
Sriracha: Adds heat and spice to the sauce.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a deep, savory flavor to the sauce.
A1 steak sauce: Enhances the richness of the sauce.
Honey: Adds sweetness to balance the sauce.
Mashed potatoes: Creates the brain’s swirly appearance.
Salt & pepper: Seasoning to taste.

Let’s Cook

Preparing the Meatloaf

Mixing the Meat: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, and egg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Making the Sauce: In a smaller bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, A1 steak sauce, and honey until smooth. Set aside.

Forming the Brain

Shaping the Meat: Line a deep, circular bowl with plastic wrap. Press the meat onto the sides of the bowl in an even layer, leaving enough excess meat to create a ‘top’ slab of meat.

Filling the Brain: Fill the meat bowl with ricotta cheese and a couple of tablespoons of the sauce. Press the mozzarella cheese ball into the ricotta so that only the bottom portion is exposed.

Sealing the Brain: Form the remaining meat into a thin slab and press it on top of the mozzarella. Pinch the edges of the meat together to seal the mozzarella inside.

Chilling: Cover the top with plastic wrap and freeze for one hour.

Final Steps

Prepping for Baking: Line a round baking pan with foil. Flip the chilled meat brain into the pan and remove the plastic wrap. Gently shape it into a brain-like form.

Adding the Brain Pattern: Place the mashed potatoes in a large baggie, snip off the corner, and pipe the mashed potatoes onto the meat in a swirly-brain pattern. Freeze for 15 minutes.

Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush half of the remaining sauce on top of the mashed potatoes. Create a foil tent and place it over the brain, ensuring it doesn’t touch the potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the foil tent and cook for another 20-30 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the meat is cooked through and the mozzarella isn’t escaping.

Finishing Touches: Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Brush on the remaining sauce. Serve with crackers or enjoy as a main course.

Troubleshooting Tips

Sealing the Mozzarella: Make sure the meat is tightly sealed around the mozzarella to prevent it from leaking out during baking. If needed, use toothpicks to help secure the edges.
Shaping the Brain: Use your hands to gently mold the meat into a brain shape after flipping it into the pan. This step helps give it a more realistic appearance.
Piping the Mashed Potatoes: If the mashed potatoes are too thick to pipe, warm them slightly to make them easier to work with. Ensure they are smooth for the best effect.
Cooking Time: Check the meatloaf after 20 minutes without the foil tent. Cooking times can vary based on your oven, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Serving Suggestions: For a Halloween-themed party, serve the brain with an assortment of crackers and a side of extra ‘blood’ sauce for dipping.

SSDGM!

Oozing Meatloaf Brain

The Starving Chef

A spooky meatloaf stuffed with molten cheese and smothered in a sweet and spicy sauce.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1 40

Course Halloween

Cuisine Halloween

Servings

Equipment

Ingredients

16 oz ground beef
½ cup plain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 egg
16 oz mozzarella cheese ball
1 cup ricotta cheese
⅓ cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons sriracha
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon A1 steak sauce
¼ cup honey warmed
3 cups mashed potatoes extra smooth – I like Bob Evan's brand
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion and garlic powder, and one egg. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, sriracha, worcestershire sauce, steak sauce and honey until smooth. Set aside.
Line a deep, circular bowl with plastic wrap. Press the meat onto the sides of the bowl in an even layer, leaving enough excess meat to create a 'top' slab of meat.
Fill the meat bowl with ricotta cheese, a couple tablespoons of the 'blood' sauce and then press the entire mozzarella cheese ball into the ricotta and BBQ so that only the bottom portion is exposed.
Form the remaining meat into a thin slab of meat and press it on top of the mozzarella. Pinch the edges of the meat together so that the mozzarella is sealed in.
Cover the top of the meat with plastic wrap and then freeze for one hour.
Line a round baking pan with foil. Flip the chilled meat brain into the pan. Remove the plastic wrap. Gently squeeze to reform the meat into a brain-like shape.
Place the mashed potatoes in a large baggie. Snip off the corner of the baggie and pipe the mashed potatoes onto the meat in a swirly-brain pattern. Freeze for 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush half of the remaining 'blood' sauce on the top of the mashed potatoes. Make a tent from foil and place it over the brain – so that it covers but does not touch the potatoes.
Cook for 15 minutes then remove the foil tent and cook for another 20-30 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure the meat is cooked through and the mozzarella isn't escaping from the center.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Brush on the remaining 'blood' sauce. Serve with crackers or eat as a main course. Have a happy Halloween! Enjoy!