Mince: 10 Quick Recipes for Weeknight DinnersMince (ground meat or plant-based alternatives) is one of the most versatile and time-saving ingredients for weeknight cooking. It cooks quickly, soaks up flavors easily, and can be adapted into cuisines from around the world. Below are 10 fast, flavorful mince recipes you can rotate through the week — each designed to be ready in about 20–35 minutes, using common pantry items and minimal fuss.
1 — Classic Spaghetti Bolognese (30 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 400 g mince (beef, pork, or mixed)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 200 ml beef/chicken/vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
- 350 g spaghetti
- Fresh basil or parsley to serve, grated Parmesan optional
Method
- Heat oil in a large pan; sauté onion until translucent (3–4 min). Add garlic and grated carrot; cook 1–2 min.
- Add mince; brown, breaking up with a spoon (5–6 min).
- Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, stock, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer 10–12 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Meanwhile cook spaghetti according to packet instructions. Drain and toss with sauce or serve sauce on top. Garnish and serve.
Tips: Use a splash of milk or a small pinch of sugar to balance acidity if needed.
2 — Asian-Style Mince Lettuce Cups (20 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
- 350 g mince (pork, chicken, or turkey)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin or oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 carrot, julienned or grated
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- A few leaves of iceberg or butter lettuce
- Optional: crushed peanuts, chili flakes, lime wedges
Method
- Heat oil in a skillet; cook garlic and ginger briefly. Add mince and brown (5–6 min).
- Add soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, carrot and spring onion; stir until combined and heated through.
- Spoon into lettuce leaves, top with peanuts or chili, squeeze lime and serve.
3 — Quick Mexican Mince Tacos (25 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 400 g mince (beef or turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 8 small tortillas
- Toppings: shredded lettuce, grated cheese, salsa, sour cream, cilantro
Method
- Sauté onion in oil until soft. Add mince and brown.
- Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water; simmer 3–5 minutes. Add diced tomato.
- Warm tortillas, fill and top as desired.
4 — Mince and Potato Skillet (Shepherd’s-Style, 30 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 400 g mince (lamb or beef)
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 300 ml stock
- 2 tbsp oil, salt, pepper, rosemary or thyme
Method
- Brown mince with onion; stir in tomato paste.
- Add potatoes in a single layer, pour stock to almost cover, season, simmer covered 12–15 min until potatoes tender.
- Stir in peas, cook 2–3 min more. Finish with herbs.
5 — Mince Fried Rice (20 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
- 300 g mince (pork, chicken, or plant-based)
- 3 cups cooked and cooled rice (day-old works best)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce or hoisin (optional)
- 2 spring onions, chopped
- 1–2 tbsp oil
Method
- Fry eggs in a wok, scramble, remove.
- Sear mince until cooked; add vegetables, then rice. Toss with soy sauce and oyster sauce.
- Return eggs, mix, add spring onions and serve.
6 — Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers with Mince (35 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 400 g mince (beef or lamb)
- 4 bell peppers, tops removed and seeded
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 400 g canned tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin, salt, pepper, olive oil
Method
- Sauté onion and garlic in oil; add mince and brown. Stir in tomatoes, cooked rice, parsley and seasoning — simmer 5 min.
- Stuff mixture into peppers, place in a baking dish, add a little water to the base, cover and bake 20–25 min at 190°C (375°F) until peppers tender.
7 — One-Pot Mince Chili (30 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 500 g mince (beef or turkey)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 400 g canned kidney beans, drained
- 400 g canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chili powder or to taste
- 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp oil, salt, pepper
Method
- Sauté onion and pepper; add garlic and mince, brown.
- Stir in spices, tomatoes and beans; simmer 15–20 min. Adjust seasoning. Serve with rice or corn chips.
8 — Mince-Stuffed Flatbreads (Lahmacun-Style, 25 minutes)
Ingredients (makes 6)
- 350 g mince (lamb or beef)
- 1 small onion, very finely chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika, ⁄2 tsp chili flakes
- 6 small flatbreads or pita rounds
- Fresh parsley, lemon wedges, yogurt to serve
Method
- Combine mince with onion, tomato paste and spices. Cook quickly in a skillet until just done (6–8 min).
- Top warmed flatbreads, garnish with parsley, squeeze lemon and serve with yogurt.
9 — Quick Mince Stroganoff (30 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 400 g mince (beef or turkey)
- 1 onion, sliced
- 200 g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 150 ml sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp oil, salt, pepper, paprika
- Egg noodles or rice to serve
Method
- Sauté onion and mushrooms until golden. Add mince and garlic; brown.
- Stir in mustard and sour cream, heat gently until warmed through. Serve over noodles or rice.
10 — Asian Noodle Soup with Mince (30 minutes)
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
- 300 g mince (pork or chicken)
- 1 liter chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ginger, sliced mushrooms, bok choy or spinach
- 200 g ramen or egg noodles
- 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional)
- Spring onions, chili oil, sesame seeds to finish
Method
- Brown mince briefly with garlic and ginger. Add stock and bring to a simmer.
- Add mushrooms and greens, cook 3–4 min. Add noodles and soy/fish sauce; cook per noodle instructions. Finish with spring onions and sesame.
Tips for Faster Weeknight Mince Cooking
- Brown mince in a hot pan in batches to avoid steaming — this improves flavor.
- Keep cooked rice/noodles in the fridge to make fried rice or noodle dishes in minutes.
- Use pre-chopped or frozen aromatics and vegetables to cut prep time.
- Swap meat for plant-based mince one or two nights a week to reduce cost and vary nutrients without changing techniques.
- Season progressively: taste as you go and adjust salt, acid (lemon or vinegar), and heat.
These recipes are deliberately flexible — swap proteins, adjust spices, and add vegetables you have on hand. Each dish can be scaled or adapted for dietary needs (gluten-free, low-carb, vegetarian) with simple substitutions.
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