Beef Mince Recipes

Minced beef is one of the most common, and often affordable, buys at a supermarket. While many dishes make use of this and other like cupboard and frozen staples (like a Shepherd’s Pie featuring frozen peas and a few tatties). While you probably have a favourite already, here’s a few options you might not have tried before.

Meatloaf

The US equivalent to a Shepherd’s Pie (in so much that even the most acclaimed chef will always rely on the mum or dads recipe), this makes use of some ingredients you should have in the cupboard, as well as being a sneaky way to get rid of left over breadcrumbs.

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 450g beef mince
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 70g day-old breadcrumbs (made out of leftover bread)
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
• 1 tsp tomato puree, from a tube
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 tbsp of Tomato Ketchup (or a Mild Chili Sauce)
• Salt & Pepper

To serve

Mashed Potatoes

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C
2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, breadcrumbs, garlic, chilli flakes, tomato puree and season well with salt & pepper
3. Add the egg and mix with your large spoon until well combined, shape the mix into a loosely formed ball
4. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and transfer the meatball onto it. Using your hands, mould it into a rectangular-ish loaf
5. Top with the Ketchup (or chili sauce if using) evenly, and bake for 1 hour (a good time to peel and boil your potatoes for mashing as a side dish)
6. Slice the loaf with a serrated knife and serve hot with mash. Leftovers make great sandwich fillings and can even be fried up in a pan to have with a cooked breakfast.

Bloody Mary Burgers

Burgers are a family favourite and there’s plenty of recipes out there to use mince in. This is one that might be new to you and doesn’t rely on buying in cheese or other meats to make special.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 ½ tsp horseradish sauce (if you have it)
• 4-8 dashes of Tabasco or any other hot sauce you have that isn’t insanely hot
• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 600-750g beef mince
• A little oil for frying

To serve:

Burger Buns

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix the tomato puree, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt and a generously grinding of black pepper
2. Add the beef and mix thoroughly, making sure the seasonings are spread throughout the meat. Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for at least an hour to marinade and develop the flavour
3. Shape the meat into 4 patties or to be slightly larger than your buns.
4. Heat a griddle or frying pan over a high heat, and rub a little oil onto the burger patties before adding to the hot pan
5. Depending how thick your patties are, fry for 4-5 minutes a side, turning once. Leave to rest for a few minutes after cooking on a plate to let the juices settle
6. Take the opportunity to toast your burger buns in the pan, splitting them in half and placing the cut side onto the hot surface.
7. Make us with whatever you have to hand, such as leftover lettuce, pickles or tomato ketchup

Easy Meatballs with Spaghetti

There’s lots of recipes out there for Spaghetti and Meatballs, and debate rages online about whether you should bake or fry your meatballs before serving over pasta. This is just a very simple recipe to save you from buy pre-made balls.

Meatball Ingredients:

• 250g beef mince
• 1 medium free-range egg
• 2 tbsp fresh or dried breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• salt and pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 1 garlic clove, crushed

To serve:

150g Spaghetti, based on portion size above

Method:

1. Put the beef, egg, breadcrumbs, herbs and garlic in a bowl. Work the mixture together with your hands until thoroughly mixed.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Roll the mixture into 10 equal-sized balls.
4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs in batches for 8 minutes until golden-brown all over.
5. Return all of the meatballs to the pan then pour over the chopped tomatoes, mixed herbs, garlic and sugar, cook over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
6. While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 10-12 minutes or according to the packet instructions.
7. Just before the spaghetti is ready, add a ladle-ful of the pasta water to the tomato sauce to thin it down.
8. Drain the spaghetti and add to the pan with the meatballs. Toss to combine then divide between two serving bowls.

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