Meatloaf Stuffed Pumpkin Recipes

MEATLOAF STUFFED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• 1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, except tomato sauce. Warm and oil a 12", deep, Dutch oven.
• 2. Fill pumpkin with meat mixture and place filled pumpkin inside oven. Pour about 1 ½ c. water in oven and cover.
• 3. Bake about 1 to 1 ½ hours at 350 degrees F. until done. You can smell the flavors when done.
• 4. ***Judging temperature is an important skill that needs to be practiced when cooking with a Dutch oven. First off, use only name brands of charcoal. Once you find a brand that you like, stick with that brand. That way you become familiar with how it burns, how long the coals last, etc. When cooking in a Dutch oven, use the 2/3rds rule. The 2/3rds rule is not based on fractions of any number of coals. But, is short hand for figuring out how many coals to use for a 325o to 350o oven. Take the diameter of the oven for the bottom coals and subtract 2. So, if you have a 12" oven, take the diameter (12"), subtract 2 (10 coals). That's the 2 in the 2/3rds rule. For figuring the number of coals for the top heat, again take the diameter of the oven and add 3. So, if you have a 12" oven, take the diameter (12") and add 3 (15 coals). That's the 3 in the 2/3rds rule. This rule works for any sized oven from 8" to 16". To increase or decrease the temperature add or subtract 2 briquettes for a change of 25°. It is however, very important to know that coals should be placed around the circumference of the bottom and top of the Dutch oven so there are no hot spots and burning of food is kept to a minimum.

SAVORY STUFFED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the soup, mushrooms, soy sauce and brown sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the rice and water chestnuts. , Wash pumpkin; cut a 6-in. circle around stem. Remove top and set aside. Discard seeds and loose fibers from the inside. Spoon beef mixture into pumpkin; replace top. , Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Rub oil over outside of pumpkin. Bake, uncovered, until pumpkin is tender, 1-1/2 hours. Scoop out some pumpkin with each serving of beef mixture.

STUFFED PUMPKIN DINNER

Steps:

• Wash pumpkin; cut a 6-in. circle around top stem. Remove top and set aside; discard seeds and loose fibers from inside. Place pumpkin in a large Dutch oven. Fill with boiling water to a depth of 6 in.; add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is almost tender but holds its shape. Carefully remove and drain well; pat dry. , In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain well. Cool slightly; place in a large bowl. Add rice, tomato sauce, ham, eggs, garlic, oregano, pepper, vinegar and remaining salt. , Place pumpkin in a shallow sturdy baking pan. Firmly pack beef mixture into pumpkin; replace top. Leaving pan uncovered, bake at 350° for 1 hour. Let stand for 10 minutes. Remove the top; if desired, use paper towel to remove excess moisture from top of meat. Slice pumpkin into wedges.

GREAT PUMPKIN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Cut top from pumpkin in a zig zag design.
• Remove seeds and stringy insides.
• Place pumpkin in a baking pan; add about 1 inch of hot water.
• Cover pumpkin and pan with foil.
• Bake at 400 degrees F. for 45 minutes. (Or microwave for about 14 minutes.).
• Season inside of pumpkin with salt and pepper; brush with honey mustard (or yellow mustard and sprinkle with brown sugar).
• Combine egg, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, ground beef and bread crumbs; mix well.
• Spoon into pumpkin shell, packing down lightly.
• Return to oven and bake, uncovered, 45 to 60 minutes, until the pumpkin is tender and the meatloaf is cooked. (The internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F.).
• You may cook the "lid" of the pumpkin along with the meatloaf, however, watch it and remove when it is cooked and still looks attractive.
• Remove and let rest for 5 -10 minutes.
• Be creative with garnishes.
• Cut into 6 wedges to serve.

MASHED POTATO STUFFED MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x5-inch loaf pan with shortening. Make potatoes as directed on box except omit butter and use 1 cup water, 1/2 cup milk and Cheese Sauce pouch. Set aside.
• In large bowl, mix Meatloaf ingredients until well blended. Firmly press half of beef mixture into pan. Spoon potatoes over beef mixture to within 1/4 inch of edges of pan. Spoon remaining beef mixture over potatoes; press gently.
• Bake 60 to 65 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of loaf reads 160°F. Let loaf stand 10 minutes; remove from pan.