If you want a protein-based ingredient with versatility, it’s hard to look past mince!
Mince has come a long way over the past few decades. It’s no longer the meat created from off-cuts – we now have mince varieties made from premium lean beef, chicken, pork, turkey and lamb. Perfect for all styles of meals, from Bolognese to San Choy Bau.
I have put together a list of fabulous mince dishes for you to explore. If you are a vegetarian, all these meal ideas can be created using meat alternatives like quorn, TVP (textured vegetable protein), grated tofu (honestly works well, try it) or legumes like lentils or kidney beans.
20 Simple Meal Ideas Using Mince
Tomato-based
- Lasagne
- Shepherds Pie
- Moussaka
- Cannelloni
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Nachos
- Chilli Con Carne
Around the world
- San Choy Bau
- Spring Rolls
- Larb
- Chow Mein
- Samosas
- Quesadillas
Family favourites
- Meatballs
- Burgers
- Meatloaf
- Sausage Rolls
- Meat Pie
- One Pot Mince
- Rissoles
Now let’s explore our top five!
Lasagne
There are many ways to make lasagne, but I encourage you to nutritionally enhance yours by packing it with vegetables and adding legumes to the mince sauce.
My hot tip is to blend up a steamed cauliflower with some pesto as an alternative to béchamel sauce! Served with a side of salad, lasagne can be a light and satisfying family meal.
San Choy Bau
If you have kids who love eating with their fingers, this is a great recipe idea for them. Topping with fresh and crunchy veg will also appeal to little ones who loathe soggy vegetables! Wrapped as a lettuce parcel it is a light, low carb meal.
Chilli Con Carne
If you love the idea of a one pot meal – chilli con carne is for you! With its spicy profile it’s a winter warmer that you should incorporate to your weekly winter menu. Add a variety of diced veg to the pot and while you are at it, throw in a tin of kidney beans too!
Larb
Who would have thought that mince could work in a salad? In Laos and Thailand this is a staple. If you are a vegetarian, finely dicing up mushrooms works really well in place of the mince. A perfect dish to be shared at a dinner party, especially in the summer.
Free 12WBT Recipe: Bunless Burgers
This is one of Michelle’s favourites and its low carb and gluten free! Using large field mushrooms as your burger bun is a wonderful way to boost the plant power.
Details
- Serves 4
- 20 min prep time
- 20 min cooking time
- 315 calories per serve
Ingredients
- 250g lean beef mince
- 1 cage free eggs (59g)
- 1 tablespoons tomato sauce (20g)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (10g)
- 1g olive oil spray
- 2 onion (178g), sliced
- 4 field mushroom (480g)
- 4 leaves iceberg lettuce (40g)
- 4 slices Swiss cheese (120g)
- 2 tomatoes (334g), sliced
Method
- Combine mince, egg, sauce and mustard in a bowl and season with freshly ground black pepper. Use clean hands to mix until well combined. Divide mixture into four portions and shape into round flat patties.
- Spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil and heat over medium-low heat.
- Add onions and cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes or until soft and golden brown. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Trim mushroom stalks. Heat a chargrill pan or barbecue flat plate over medium-high heat. Lightly spray mushrooms with oil and cook for 2 minutes each side or until tender and golden. Divide between serving plates.
- Add burger patties to the chargrill and cook for 3 minutes each side or until cooked through.
- Top mushrooms with lettuce, patties, cheese, tomato and onion.
Mish tips
- Try to choose flat field mushrooms that aren’t too thick.
- Member recipes are submitted and checked to make sure they tick all the boxes in terms of health, nutrition, calories and taste.
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