Five Easy Midweek Meals Using Beef Mince

Five Delicious Family Dinners Ready in Under an Hour

There are few ingredients as versatile as good quality beef mince. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, cooking for two or preparing meals for the week ahead, a pack of fresh mince can be transformed into countless delicious dishes.

At Prendergast Butchers, our beef mince is made from quality Welsh beef, expertly prepared by our butchers to give you fantastic flavour and just the right amount of fat for juicy, satisfying meals.

Here are five of our favourite midweek recipes.

1. Sticky Korean Beef Bowls

Ready in: 25 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 500g Prendergast Butchers Beef Mince
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
  • 250g cooked jasmine rice
  • Spring onions
  • Sesame seeds

Method

  1. Brown the mince in a hot frying pan until nicely coloured.
  2. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for one minute.
  3. Stir in the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil and chilli flakes.
  4. Simmer for five minutes until sticky and glossy.
  5. Serve over rice with spring onions and sesame seeds.

Top Tip: Add steamed broccoli or pak choi for an extra vegetable boost.

2. Loaded Mexican Beef Nachos

Ready in: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 500g beef mince
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 400g chopped tomatoes
  • Tortilla chips
  • Grated mature cheddar
  • Jalapeños
  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole

Method

  1. Fry the onion until softened.
  2. Add the mince and brown well.
  3. Stir in the spices and tomatoes.
  4. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  5. Spoon over tortilla chips, cover generously with cheese and bake at 200°C for 10 minutes.
  6. Finish with jalapeños, sour cream and guacamole.

Perfect for sharing while watching the football or a family movie night.

3. Italian Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

Ready in: 45 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 500g beef mince
  • 50g breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Fresh parsley
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 700ml tomato passata
  • Olive oil

Method

  1. Mix together the mince, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley and Parmesan.
  2. Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.
  3. Brown in olive oil.
  4. Pour over the passata.
  5. Simmer gently for 25 minutes.
  6. Serve with spaghetti or crusty garlic bread.

4. Homemade Smash Burgers

Ready in: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 600g beef mince
  • Burger buns
  • American cheese
  • Gherkins
  • Lettuce
  • Burger sauce

Method

  1. Divide the mince into eight loose balls.
  2. Place onto a screaming hot griddle.
  3. Smash flat using a burger press or spatula.
  4. Cook for around two minutes per side.
  5. Add cheese for the final minute.
  6. Stack two patties inside each bun with your favourite toppings.

The secret is not overworking the mince before cooking.

5. Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash

Ready in: 1 hour
Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 500g beef mince
  • 1 onion
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 500ml beef stock
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • 1kg potatoes
  • Butter
  • Mature cheddar cheese

Method

  1. Brown the mince with the vegetables.
  2. Add the tomato purée, stock and Worcestershire sauce.
  3. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Top with buttery mashed potato.
  5. Sprinkle generously with grated cheddar.
  6. Bake at 200°C for 25 minutes until golden brown.

Comfort food at its very best.

Why Quality Beef Mince Matters

The best meals start with the best ingredients. Freshly prepared quality beef mince has a richer flavour, better texture and cooks beautifully, giving you juicy burgers, tender meatballs and rich sauces every time.

Our butchers carefully prepare our mince from quality Welsh beef, ensuring consistent flavour and freshness every day.

Whether you’re planning a quick family dinner, a weekend treat or stocking up for batch cooking, we’re always happy to advise on the best mince for your recipe.