Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs Ground Beef (80/20 blend)
  • 5 lb Ground Pork (or Italian Sausage)
  • 3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup Whole Milk
  • 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion, finely diced or grated
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup Ketchup (for glaze)
  • 2 tbsp Brown Sugar, packed (for glaze)
  • 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (for glaze)
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika (for glaze)
  • 1 sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
  • 6-8 Black Olives, sliced (for eyes)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 9x5 inch loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until the milk is fully absorbed.
  3. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, pork, soaked Panko mixture, eggs, diced onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overwork the mixture.
  4. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan or shape into a tight, free-form loaf on the baking sheet.
  5. Prepare the glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Brush half of this glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  6. Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Cut long, even strips about 3/4-inch wide using a pizza cutter.
  7. Carefully lay the pastry strips diagonally across the top of the loaf, overlapping slightly to mimic mummy bandages. Leave a small gap at the top center for the face.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes. Carefully remove the loaf, brush with the remaining glaze, and return to the oven.
  9. Continue baking for another 15–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the pastry is golden brown.
  10. Remove from oven. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 10 minutes. Before serving, press the sliced black olives into the exposed gap to create the eyes.