Four Nutritious Meals to Make the Most of Mince
Updated: 22 February, 2024
We're here to help our customers make the most of their ingredients, with our series of cost-effective meals. Our halal, minced beef comes in two 1kg packs, or one 2kg pack; and with an average recipe using 500g of mince to feed four, you can serve four different meals at incredibly affordable prices.
Chilli con carne
This quick, fuss-free meal uses all store cupboard ingredients for a filling, hearty dinner - perfect now the weather is changing.
The red kidney beans are an excellent source of protein and fibre, but if you're trying to please the kids, you can always swap them for a tin of baked beans.
Serve with rice, on top of a jacket potato, or wrapped in a tortilla for an incredible burrito. If you've got any coriander, sour cream or guacamole, it will be perfect with this!
You will need:
  • 500g beef mince
  • One white onion, diced
  • One red pepper, diced
  • Two garlic cloves, crushed
  • 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 400g tin kidney beans
  • One teaspoon chilli flakes
  • One teaspoon cumin
  • Three teaspoons paprika
  • One teaspoon dried oregano
  • One beef stock cube
  • Salt and pepper
  1. In a deep frying pan or saucepan, fry off the diced onion and pepper in some olive oil.
  2. Once softened, add in the beef mince and fry until browned. Break up the mince using a wooden spoon as it cooks.
  3. Add in your chopped garlic and all of the herbs and spices. Fry for a further two minutes.
  4. Pour in the tinned tomatoes and add the stock cube. Mix together and bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, drain and rinse your kidney beans, then add to the pan. Simmer for a further 10 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste, then serve.
Spaghetti Bolognese
A firm favourite that is loved by all, no matter how simple the recipe is.
This low-cost meal uses ingredients you should already have in your cupboard - spaghetti and tinned tomatoes. Add in some fresh onion, garlic and extra veg, and serve with some grated cheese and garlic bread, for a tasty nutritious dinner.
You will need:
  • 500g beef mince
  • One white onion, diced
  • Two garlic cloves, crushed
  • Two, 400g tin chopped tomatoes, OR one tin chopped tomatoes, and one carton of passata
  • Tomato puree
  • One beef stock cube or pot
  • One pack of spaghetti
  • Sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • Grated carrot (optional)
  • Mixed herbs or oregano (optional)
  • Bay leaves (optional)
  • Chilli flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper
  1. In a deep frying pan or saucepan, heat some olive oil on a medium-high heat. Add in your onion and garlic, and fry until softened.
  2. Next, add in your beef mince and fry until browned.
  3. If you're adding mushrooms and carrot, pop them in the pan now and fry until softened slightly.
  4. Add in your chopped tomatoes and mix together, then crumble in a stock cube, and season with your desired herbs and spices. Taste, and add in a tablespoon of tomato puree if you prefer a more intense tomato flavour.
  5. Mix, and bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer gently for around 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. With around 20 minutes to spare, heat a large saucepan of water and season with a pinch of salt. Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the pack. Drain, then mix into your bolognese sauce.
  7. Plate and serve with a grating of parmesan or cheddar.
Cottage pie
This hearty, comforting dish is perfect as the weather is getting chillier. It's a great-value family favourite stuffed full of vegetables, topped with mashed potato and covered in cheese, for a crisp, golden finish.
What you need:
  • 500g beef mince
  • One white onion, chopped
  • Two garlic cloves, crushed
  • Two carrots, chopped
  • One tin of chopped tomatoes
  • Two tablespoons of tomato puree
  • One tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • One teaspoon mixed herbs
  • 200ml beef stock
  • 750g potatoes
  • 25g margarine or butter
  • 10ml milk
  • Salt and pepper
  • Grated cheese (optional)
  1. Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and fry the onions, garlic and carrot until softened.
  2. Add in the beef, and fry until it has browned.
  3. Then, add to the pan your chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock and herbs. Mix together and leave to simmer for around 45 minutes.
  4. Boil the potatoes until tender, drain the water, then add to the pan the butter and milk. Mash until smooth.
  5. To an ovenproof dish, spoon in your minced beef filling, and top with the mashed potato.
  6. For a delicious cheesy topping, grate over some cheddar cheese, and pop under a preheated grill until the top starts to brown.
  7. Serve alongside some baked beans, or seasonal vegetables.
Homemade burgers
Making burgers from scratch is so much easier than you think - all you need is a small, diced onion, and one egg.
If the mixture is too wet, you can add a small amount of breadcrumbs to bind the meat mix together. Personalise the burgers with your preferred spices, and serve with your favourite condiments.
Add some homemade chips into the mix for the ultimate treat meal without breaking the bank.
What you need:
  • 500g beef mince
  • One small onion, diced
  • One egg, beaten
  • Mustard (optional)
  • Herbs / spices (optional)
  • Breadcrumbs (if required)
  1. Add the minced beef to a bowl, along with the diced onion. Add two tablespoons of mustard if you'd like, along with any herbs and spices you fancy. We recommend a pinch of mixed herbs, and a few chilli flakes for warmth.
  2. Pour in your beaten egg and season the mixture with salt and pepper.
  3. Get your hands in the bowl and scrunch the mixture until combined. If the mixture is too wet, add in a sprinkle of breadcrumbs to soak up some moisture.
  4. Divide the mixture into even sized patties, and make sure they are all the same thickness, so they cook evenly.
  5. Pop them onto a plate, cover with cling film, and leave them in the fridge to firm up, for around 30 minutes.
  6. Cook on the BBQ, in a frying pan, or under the grill, until the centre of the patty is no longer pink. Top with a slice of cheese, as desired, and wait until it melts.
  7. In the meantime, slice in half and toast your burger buns. Add a sauce of your choice, your burger patty, and any of your favourite fillings. Enjoy!
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