Quick answer: Easy beef mince dinners: spaghetti bolognese, cottage pie, chilli con carne, lasagne, burgers, meatballs, keema curry, tacos and stuffed peppers. Use 5% lean mince for sauces and 15–20% fat mince for burgers, and cook mince until no pink remains.
Which mince to use
Lean (5%) mince for bolognese, chilli and cottage pie; 10–15% for meatballs; 15–20% for burgers. See lean vs standard mince.
15 easy dinners
- Spaghetti bolognese: brown mince, add onion, garlic, tomatoes and a splash of stock; simmer 30–45 minutes.
- Cottage pie: mince in gravy with carrots, topped with mash; bake 25 minutes at 200°C.
- Chilli con carne: mince with onion, peppers, kidney beans, chilli and cumin; simmer 45 minutes.
- Lasagne: layer ragù, white sauce and pasta; bake 40 minutes at 180°C.
- Homemade burgers: season 15–20% mince, shape 150g patties, cook to 75°C.
- Meatballs in tomato sauce: roll seasoned mince with breadcrumbs, brown, then simmer in passata 20 minutes.
- Keema curry: mince with onion, ginger, garlic, curry spices and peas; simmer 25 minutes.
- Beef tacos: fry mince with taco spices; serve in shells with salsa and cheese.
- Stuffed peppers: fill halved peppers with mince, rice and tomato; bake 35 minutes.
- Mince and onions: brown mince and onions in gravy; serve with mash.
- Beef and veg pasta bake: mince sauce stirred through pasta, topped with cheese, baked 20 minutes.
- Shepherd's-style pie with beef: as cottage pie, with peas and a cheesy mash.
- Smash burgers: press balls of mince thin on a hot pan; 2 minutes a side.
- Beef ragù jacket potatoes: spoon leftover bolognese over baked potatoes.
- Korean-style beef bowls: fry mince with garlic, ginger, soy and a little sugar; serve over rice.
Cooking mince safely
Mince should be cooked all the way through until it is steaming hot with no pink, at 75°C. Cooked mince dishes keep 2 days in the fridge or 3 months frozen.
Shop the cuts in this guide
How we pack your order
Your order is packed at our butchery at St Stephen, near St Austell, in a double-walled box with a sealed thermal liner and gel ice packs, then delivered by DPD next-day on the day you choose. Free delivery over £85.
Extra strong boxWhite double-walled corrugated cardboard
Thermal linerAir-infused, padded and sealed
Gel ice packsRecyclable film, non-toxic food-grade gel
DPD deliveryOn the day you choose
Frequently asked questions
What can I make with beef mince?
Bolognese, cottage pie, chilli, lasagne, burgers, meatballs, keema curry and tacos are the easiest.
Should I drain beef mince?
Lean (5%) mince rarely needs draining; with fattier mince, spoon off excess fat after browning.
