Halloween Recipe: Jack-o’-Lantern Meat & Cheese Pie
It has been many years since I have had children or family around to cook special meals for, but this one I have made a couple of times in years past when I have hosted October dinners, and it is a fun alternative to cheeseburgers during the month. It may be a Halloween recipe that will make your ghosts and goblins squeal with delight.
This Jack-o’-Lantern Meat & Cheese Pie is easy to make, and takes about 20 minutes preparation time, and 30 minutes baking time. Like many other recipes I use, I alter it to my own taste. It is also one that I have put in a regular pie plate as a meat pie to take for potluck dinners, without the colored egg wash.
I found the original recipe nearly 20 years ago in a women's magazine ( Woman's Day ?), and I have added some of my notes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. lean ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce, catsup, or salsa, if you like it a bit spicier
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated
- 8 oz. Monterey jack cheese, grated (pepper jack is my favorite)
- 2 chilled pie crusts, homemade or purchased
- 1 egg, mixed with 2 Tbsp. water, and 1 drop each of yellow and red food coloring
Directions:
- In large skillet, brown ground beef with onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir until beef is crumbly and cooked thoroughly. Drain off any fat.
- Stir in catsup, tomato sauce or salsa, and the Worcestershire sauce. Let meat mixture cool.
- Grate together both cheeses and toss together. Set aside one cup of cheese.
- Unfold one pie crust and put on greased baking sheet.
- Stir two cups of cheese into meat and onion mixture and spoon onto the center of pie crust. Leave a 2-inch border around the circle.
- Unfold the other pie crust and cut out eyes, nose, and mouth, as you would a jack-o’-lantern, but set cutouts aside to use later.
- Place crust over top of the meat mixture and crimp edges, and fold under. Use the saved crust cutouts to fashion as a stem for the top of the jack-o’-lantern face.
- In small bowl, whisk together egg, water and food colorings. Use pastry brush to brush over the crust.
- Preheat oven to 425 degree F and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Brush again with egg mixture. Fill jack-o’-lantern eyes, nose and mouth with remaining cheese. Bake 7-10 minutes more until golden brown.
- Serve with corn on the cob and a fresh salad. Serves 6 or more.
Another fun Halloween casserole main dish, using a fresh pumpkin as the cooking and serving dish, is the Jack-o-Lantern Casserole , which is a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin A.
Source: My recipe box; a card that I copied the recipe from a woman's magazine back in 1995.
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Copyright © 2015 Coral Levang
Adapted from original post previously submitted on Bubblews and removed by author.
Coins: 7772, $11.66, 58%
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/autumn-decoration-face-fall-scary-218804/ by PublicDomainPictures
Comments
markgraham wrote on September 26, 2015, 1:03 PM
I can manage this one, anything that can be made into a pie is for me. I can make pies with anything.
CoralLevang wrote on September 26, 2015, 1:10 PM
Then I think you will like this. It's a variation of meat pie. Usually is a hit with the kids at Halloween.
wolfgirl569 wrote on September 26, 2015, 2:10 PM
Sharing this one so I can find it easy later. That sounds very good
CoralLevang wrote on September 26, 2015, 2:30 PM
It's fun and it's simple. Thanks for the share!
MegL wrote on September 26, 2015, 3:14 PM
That sounds a good one. Are you on Pinterest? I am collecting recipes and decorations on Pinterest ahead of time and a photograph of that would go well on there.
DWDavisRSL wrote on September 26, 2015, 3:14 PM
Another awesome looking recipe. I can't wait to see how this one looks prepared. Not that I'd copy and paste this one, too. Or would I?
Feisty56 wrote on September 26, 2015, 10:18 PM
Another nutritious and tasty idea that kids and adults would both enjoy!
Paulie wrote on September 27, 2015, 3:25 AM
This looks like another very good tasty recipe. Thanks for sharing something just in time for Halloween.
paigea wrote on September 27, 2015, 1:26 PM
That sounds very attractive and cute. I don't think it will fit into my Weight Watchers plan. :(
CoralLevang wrote on September 27, 2015, 2:31 PM
I am on Pinterest under the name CocoGypsy
1CoralLevang wrote on September 27, 2015, 2:33 PM
DWDavisRSL I haven't made it in years, before I had a smart phone to shoot photographs. It's a fun one, though I typically put this in a pie plate, and dispense with the toothless smile.
I am not sure what you mean, though, by "Not that I'd copy and paste this one, too. Or would I?"
???
CoralLevang wrote on September 27, 2015, 2:34 PM
I am thinking that bacon would be a great additive.
CoralLevang wrote on September 27, 2015, 2:34 PM
Thanks, Paulie
CoralLevang wrote on September 27, 2015, 2:35 PM
It's not always the best looking when the crust bubbles up, but it's fun.
And one small slice ... moderation....might be allowed? For Halloween? I would check with your coach.
paigea wrote on September 27, 2015, 2:41 PM
Oh one can always have one tiny amount. Just have to plan it and make up for it somewhere in the day
MegL wrote on September 27, 2015, 4:15 PM
Found you and followedyou as Coco Gypsy.
DWDavisRSL wrote on September 27, 2015, 8:11 PM
Because I copy and pasted the other one that cooks in a pumpkin shell.
CoralLevang wrote on September 27, 2015, 9:54 PM
Oh, I wasn't sure. I was confused. LOL Easy to do nowadays.