Weeks are super busy. We all work, we have kids, some of us have school runs or kindy on top of all that. Mince meals are perfect for weekday dinners as they are cheap and quick!
The biggest problem I have personally is getting a decent meal on the table at the end of the day cause dammit – I’m tired. And they want dinner every single night!!!! Gahhhhh
As many of you know I’ve been a huge fan of Freezer Cooking forever now – in fact, I wrote a whole book on the subject (Once a Month Cooking).
Yes, it takes time on a weekend to do, but it does give you your life back during the week. Here are more than 30 make-ahead mince meals for busy families – meals that freeze well and are delicious, simple and budget-friendly. Enjoy!
More Reading:
- 98 Frugal Meal Ideas Using Pantry Staples
- 100 Chicken Mince Dinner Ideas That are Easy on the Hip Pocket
- 30-Day Winter Meal Plan: Frugal Dinner Recipes
1. Mince and Noodle Stir Fry
A super cheap, easy and filling recipe that the whole family will really love. You can use any sort of mince for this recipe, chicken mince, beef mince or pork mince.
Grab the Recipe for Mince and Noodle Stir Fry
2. Hidden Veggie Porcupine Meatballs
You can add any combination of grated veggies you like – just substitute them for the same amount as below in the recipe.
Grab the Recipe for Hidden Veggie Porcupine Meatballs
3. Homemade Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls are the best – kids love them and you can make this homemade sausage rolls recipe and freeze them so you can have freshly baked sausage rolls on hand, whenever the need arises.
Grab the Recipe for Homemade Sausage Rolls
4. Frugal Old Fashioned Pastie Slab
Super cheap and tasty to make and full of delicious winter vegetables and sausage meat with pastry!
Grab the Recipe for Frugal Old Fashioned Pastie Slab
5. Glazed Meatloaf
It’s tender, sweet and tangy – flavours playing on your tongue in each bite.
Grab the recipe for Glazed Meatloaf!
6. Veggie Filled Bolognaise Sauce
Like all Mums, I’m always trying to get my kids to eat more veggies, this is my secret weapon to get them to gobble them up without the whinge factor.
See Recipe for Veggie Filled Bolognaise Sauce
7. Chicken Pot Pie
You can freeze the chicken mixture in advance, and it can be turned not just into a pie, but add some pasta and you have a fancy pasta dish!
Grab the Recipe for Chicken Pot Pie
8. Slow Cooker Lasagna
Come on, make some and dig in! This recipe serves up to 8, so it’s enough for a family of 4-5.
See Recipe for Slow Cooker Lasagna
9. Mexican Cannelloni
It is instant gourmet food that you can serve at any time to your loved ones and make each meal more memorable.
See Recipe for Mexican Cannelloni
10. Indian Rice Pilaf with Spiced Beef
It is simply an explosion of flavours in your mouth and even my children love it!
Gra b the Recipe for Indian Rice Pilaf with Spiced Beef
11. Warming Mexican Beef Chilli
Using an economical cut of beef and cheap beans, it’s packed with flavour and energy for busy families.
See recipe for Warming Mexican Beef Chilli
12. Golden Bake
When you get bored with Shepherd’s pie, try this one out!
See the recipe for Golden Bake
13. Pastry Free Beef Cheese Pie
Whether you are on a gluten-free dietor just don’thave the time to make pie pastry,there’s a pie for you!
See recipe for Pastry Free Beef Cheese Pie
14. Beef N Bean Nachos
Add a dollop of sour cream, and diced avocados after removing nachos from the oven for a fresh twist.
See the Recipe for Beef N Bean Nachos
15. Mince Scrolls
Mince Scrolls are hearty and delicious and are perfect for a yummy after school or school holiday snack or lunch idea.
See the Recipe for Mince Scrolls
16. Chicken Rissoles
Cook in the pan or out on theBBQ, you are going to love these!
Grab the Recipe for Chicken Rissoles Here
17. Cottage Pie
Even the pickiest of kids will be coming back for a second serving!!
See Recipe for Cottage Pie
18. Chicken and Spinach Meatloaf
This doesn’t have the guilt of traditional meatloaf, add a dollop of Greek yoghurt, a garden salad and you have a delicious healthy meal for the family.
See Recipe for Chicken and Spinach Meatloaf
19. Savoury Mince
Savoury Mince can be used as a main dish or as a filling for pastries, on toast or Shepherds Pie…..the list is endless!
See Recipe for Savoury Mince
20. Beef Chow Mein
This is a terrific and easy weeknight dinner – and the kids just love it! I know some beef recipes can be expensive, but this one is not!
See Recipe for Beef Chow Mein
21. Cheesy Beef Puffs
These are great little parcels of deliciousness – I make them for my boys all the time. I usedMexicanmince (with onion and spices) and the whole family absolutely gobbled them up!
Grab the Recipe for Cheesy Beef Puffs
22. Chicken Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy
There’s something cosy and satisfying about easy meatballs and rich flavoured mushroom gravy sauce.
See Recipe for Chicken Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy
23. Chicken and Vegetable Sausage Rolls
This is one of the most popular recipes on our website – and once you make it – you will know why! Chicken and Vegetable Sausage Rolls are the perfect finger food, and they are nice and easy for entertaining!
24. Mince Wellington
Mince Wellington is like a cross between a big sausage roll and a meatloaf, it looks, smells and tastes great! It’s like a meatloaf but a bit fancier. Great for an easy weeknight dinner that the kids will love – and you can pop any leftovers in the lunch box the next day!
See Recipe for Mince Wellington
25. Slow Cooker Beef Ragu
Slow Cooker Beef Regu is a little more hearty than our traditional bolognaise sauce – and freezes just beautifully!
See Recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Ragu
26. Asian Chicken Rissoles
Bored of boring meatballs? Well, you don’t have to go to the takeaway shop and pay a small fortune, these meatballs are tangy and delicious!
See Recipe for Asian Chicken Rissoles
27. Homemade Chicken and Apple Croquettes
This is also a very adaptable recipe, if you like, add a little garlic and onion and make larger ‘patties’ so that you can have chicken and apple rissoles.
Get the recipe for Homemade Chicken and Apple Croquettes
28. Greek Chicken Meatballs
Greek Chicken Meatballs are so much lighter than beef or lamb meatballs, but just as easy to put together.
See Recipe for Greek Chicken Meatballs
29. Grilled Gooey Cheesy Chicken Rissoles
These delicious Grilled Gooey Cheesy Chicken Rissoles don’t last a week no matter how many I make!
Get recipe for Grilled Gooey Cheesy Chicken Rissoles
30. Chicken San Choy Bau
This recipe could also make use of either chicken or pork mince, also chicken breast is a good option.
Get recipe for Chicken San Choy Bau
Don’t discount turkey mince, it is significantly leaner than chicken and you can’t tell the difference when it is cooked.
We love the way the lamb and rosemary work together in this recipe, and the resulting sausage rolls are super easy, but so good.
33. Potato Gem Casserole
Soooooo…tater tots, potato royals, whatever you call them, these little balls of fluffy mash with a crispy golden coating are not only pretty cheap to buy, but fantastically versatile!
Get recipe for Potato Gem Casserole
34. Chicken Mince Puff Pastry Bites
These are delicious little morsels that are easy to throw together and will be gobbled up on Christmas Day!
Get recipe for Chicken Mince Puff Pastry Bites
35. Lamb Kofta Meatballs
Meatballs are so versatile and the kids LOVE them!!! These lamb meatballs are tasty but not over powering so the kids will eat them!
Grab recipe for Lamb Kofta Meatballs
36. French Onion Soup Flavoured Rissoles
This is how my Mum makes rissoles – they are so delicious I thought I’d share the recipe with you!
Grab recipe for French Onion Soup Flavoured Rissoles
