@therecipecollector: Every Halloween night, local legends say a restless spirit roams the old attic of Blackwood Manor, looking for the hearty meals he enjoyed as a young man. When the autumn chill sets in and I want to bring a comforting warmth to our family table, I love making this spooky-themed casserole. It has a rich, savory layer of seasoned ground beef topped with fluffy mashed potatoes shaped like a grinning jack-o'-lantern face, complete with spooky olive spiders. It's a delicious and hearty meal every time. Written by NancyG, The Recipe Collector Recipe Basics Yield: Serves 4 to 6 people. Measurements: USA measurements (cups, tablespoons, ounces) with all quantities rounded to the nearest standard measurement. Ingredients & Instructions Ingredient List: 3 pounds ground beef 3 cups mashed potatoes (fluffy and warm) 2 cups diced tomatoes 1 cup diced onions 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup black olive slices and whole black olives (for eyes, nose, mouth, and spiders) 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil Detailed Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a square baking dish. 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced onions and ground beef, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the meat is fully browned. 3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, salt, and black pepper, simmering for an additional 5 minutes before spreading the meat mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. 4. Layer the warm mashed potatoes smoothly over the ground beef, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. 5. Arrange the black olive slices to form a spooky jack-o'-lantern face (triangles for eyes and nose, stitched smile) and place whole or cut black olives around the edges to look like creeping spiders. 6. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are lightly golden and the cheese is melted, then serve warm. Chef’s Notes by NancyG: For an extra layer of richness, mix a tablespoon of butter and a splash of milk into your mashed potatoes before spreading them over the meat. You can substitute ground turkey for the beef if you prefer a leaner dish. Nutritional Facts: Estimated per serving: 520 calories, 28g fat, 32g protein, 35g carbs. #TheRecipeCollector #NancyGCookOn #HalloweenRecipes #SpookyFood #ComfortFood

NancyG The Recipe Collector

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Thursday 08 October 2026 06:09:43 GMT