Budget dinners
What to make with mince for dinner?
A pack of mince is the backbone of a lot of family dinners. Bulk it out with lentils, beans or veg and it stretches further and goes healthier.
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The Cookstuff Hero's money-saving tip: Swap a quarter of the mince for a tin of lentils. Nobody notices, and the pack feeds more people.
1. Stretchy cottage pie ⏲ 60 mins 🍽 Serves 6 ♻ Uses up leftovers
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Brown the mince in a large pan, then add the onion and carrots for 5 minutes. Stir in the purée, lentils and stock and simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile boil the potatoes for 15 minutes and mash with the milk and butter. Tip the mince into a dish, top with the mash and bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 25 minutes. 2. One-pan chilli ⏲ 35 mins 🍽 Serves 4 ♻ Uses up leftovers
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Fry the mince and onion for 8 minutes until browned. Add the spices and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes and beans and simmer for 20 minutes. Season and serve with rice or jacket potatoes.
The Cookstuff Hero says: using up what you already have is the easiest saving there is. Fewer top-up shops, less in the bin, and the whole family still gets fed well.
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Recipes on CookStuff are researched and editor-written. Check food is piping hot when you reheat it, and follow the storage advice on packs.