Discover these easy mince recipes for family dinners, including meatballs, burger patties, pasta bakes, lasagne, cottage pie, bobotie and more. Tried-and-Tested by my own fussy family members!
What can I make with a bag of mince I hear you ask! If there is one ingredient I almost always have in the freezer, it’s mince.
It is affordable, easy to cook and one of those incredibly versatile ingredients that can become just about anything—from homemade burger patties and meatballs to comforting pasta bakes, lasagne, cottage pie and bobotie.
So, if you have a packet of mince in the fridge or freezer and are wondering what on earth to make with it, here are some of my favourite easy mince recipes from Just Easy Recipes.
Quick and Easy Mince Recipes
1. One Pot Creamy Pasta and Mince
This is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner and we have this alllll the time! Beef mince, tomatoes, pasta and cream all cook together in one pot, which means maximum flavour and very little washing up. It is creamy, comforting and ready in just 30 minutes.
2. Easy Homemade Beef Burger Patties
These homemade beef burger patties are tender, tasty and incredibly easy to make – my kids love it when I make these. Oats and eggs help bind the patties together, while onion, tomato sauce, chutney, herbs and optional red wine add loads of flavour. The recipe makes approximately 14 patties, so it is brilliant for feeding a crowd or stocking the freezer.
3. Easy Homemade Meatballs
These easy homemade meatballs take only a few minutes to mix and roll – like 20 minutes you guys. Made with beef mince, oats, egg, tomato sauce, chutney and herbs, they are tender, flavourful and so much tastier than store-bought meatballs. Serve them with spaghetti, mash and gravy, or use them in the meatball pasta bake below. Or even make and eat them cold for a yummy snack!
4. Frikkadels
Frikkadels are a proper South African family favourite. These flavour-packed minced-beef meatballs include onion, garlic, breadcrumbs and a lovely mix of herbs and spices. Serve them hot with mashed potatoes and vegetables, or enjoy the leftovers cold in lunchboxes.
Mince Pasta Recipes
5. Easy Meatball Pasta Bake
This easy, cheesy meatball pasta bake is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It is a dish that makes everyone happy and there are always “thank-yous” at the end of this meal. You can use ready-made meatballs or make your own (see recipe above!!), and everything—including the dry pasta—cooks in one pan. Finish it with mozzarella and pop it under the grill until golden and bubbling.
6. Fancy Spaghetti Bolognaise
Part spaghetti bolognaise and part lazy lasagne, this cosy family dinner is topped with a creamy cheese sauce and grated cheddar, then grilled until golden. It is simple enough for a weeknight but feels a little more special than an ordinary bowl of spaghetti bolognaise.
7. Spaghetti Bolognaise
You cannot go wrong with a classic spaghetti bolognaise. This easy version combines minced beef with onion, carrots, celery, tomatoes, beef stock and basil to create a hearty meat sauce the whole family will love.
8. Tasty Lasagne Soup
All the lovely flavours of lasagne, but in a warm and hearty bowl of soup! Man, I LOVE soup! Lean mince, tomatoes, herbs, stock and pasta come together in this comforting recipe, with cheese added for that essential lasagne-style finish.
Easy Lasagne Recipes with Mince
9. How to Make Lasagne and Sauce from Scratch
If you have always wanted to make a proper homemade lasagne, start here. This step-by-step recipe shows you how to make both the rich mince sauce and creamy cheese sauce from scratch. It is simple, tomatoey, cheesy and very kid-friendly.
10. Easy Cheesy Lasagne
Short on time? This easy lasagne uses only a handful of ingredients, including mince and sundried tomato pesto, to create a delicious family dinner without a long list of ingredients or complicated steps.
Comforting Mince Dinners
11. Cottage Pie
Few dinners are more comforting than savoury mince topped with creamy mashed potato. This easy cottage pie also includes mushrooms, tomatoes and herbs, with an optional layer of grated cheese grilled until golden on top. It’s just SO good!
12. Bobotie
This South African classic combines curried beef mince with grated apple, carrot, chutney and raisins, then tops it all with a savoury egg custard. It is sweet, gently spiced and especially delicious served with yellow rice and vegetables.
13. Mutton Samoosas
These homemade samoosas are filled with spiced minced mutton or lamb, garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander, onion and garam masala. The crisp pastry and savoury filling make them perfect as a snack, starter or party treat.
Can You Freeze Mince Recipes?
Yes! Most of these mince recipes are wonderfully freezer-friendly. Cooked meatballs, burger patties, bolognaise sauce, lasagne, cottage pie and bobotie can all be cooled completely, packed into airtight freezer-safe containers and frozen for another day. For the best texture, cook fresh pasta when serving a frozen mince sauce, and always thaw frozen dishes safely in the fridge before reheating them until piping hot.
Which Mince Recipe Will You Try First?
Whether you feel like a quick one-pot pasta, a cheesy lasagne or a good old-fashioned cottage pie, I hope this list gives you plenty of easy dinner inspiration. Save it for the next time you find a packet of mince in the freezer and have absolutely no idea what to cook!
Let me know in the comments which recipe you try—or tell me your family’s favourite way to cook with mince.
More Mince Recipes coming soon:
Salisbury Steak
Keema Curry
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