Five Easy Family Meals Using Beef Mince

If your household is anything like ours, the biggest daily question is "What's for dinner?"

Between work, school runs and everything else going in, it's easy to fall into the same couple of meals on repeat, or stare into the fridge before opting for the convenience of grabbing something ready made from the shop.

That's why we always make sure we've got mince in the freezer...

1. Spag Bol

There's a reason that this is a classic. It's loved by kids and grown ups, can hide loads of veg for any pick little ones, can be bulked out with red lentils if you want to make your beef go further, and (the holy grail) can be batch cooked and put in the freezer.

Our top tip: Let it simmer for as long as you can. The flavour only gets better.

2. Chilli Con Carne

We personally make our chilli mild so the kids eat it and then spice it up with a bit of chilli oil for the grown ups. An easy-easy mid-week dinner, or serve with nachos, guac, and all the trimmings for a weekend treat or when entertaining.

Our top tip: Always double up and chuck the rest in the freezer. Future you will thank you.

3. Cottage Pie

Is there anything better than a hearty Cottage Pie in the winter, especially if it's been topped with cheese before going in the oven? The ultimate 'make in advance and chuck it in the oven when you get back from the school run' meal (and cheap as chips too).

Our top tip: Let the mince mixture reduce properly before adding the mash. No one want a sloppy pie.

4. Homemade burgers

The sun had some heat to it over the weekend and so we had our first BBQ of 2026 (and hopefully the first of many). And what is a BBQ without burgers. We're about to take receipt and so will be offering Longbrook burgers, but they're a doddle to make in the meantime (and so much tastier than ones from the supermarket).

Our top tip: Keep it simple and don't add breadcrumbs/rusk. Beef like this only needs a spot of seasoning.

5. Keema or Mince Curry

This is one of those meals that makes it look like you've put lots of effort in, but it actually comes together really easily. We go fragrant rather than hot with our spicing when feeding the kids, and it's a great way for using up those odds and ends from the fridge (like the slightly shrivelled mushrooms lurking in the salad drawer).

Our top tip: If you're always in a hurry, just keep some jars of curry sauce in the cupboard rather than making your own spice mix.

And is haven't even included koftas... or meatballs! And this is why we always have plenty of mince in the freezer, and why we have had so much interest in our new beef mince boxes. It just makes life easier.

We offer 2kg, 4kg and 6kg options which, like all our boxes, work out 10% cheaper than buying individual cuts. We also offer the option to subscribe (and save yourself a further 5%).

You can find more details and buy here www.longbrookfarm.com/shop

Or drop us a message is you've got any questions.