How to get the most out of mince PLUS 20 mince recipes (that aren’t spaghetti bolognese)
Mince meat is such a family budget meal staple but sometimes it’s hard to not just make the SAME mince meals each week – like spaghetti bolognese, which is always a favourite.
In fact, you don’t just have to use beef mince in your meals. You can use lamb, chicken, turkey and even kangaroo – which is very lean and tasty.
Thankfully, we have THOUSANDS of mince recipes on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for you to jazz up your weekly meals. Below are 20 to get you started….
What’s ACTUALLY in mince, and which one is better for you?
Meat and Livestock Australia’s Corporate Chef and Business Manager for Foodservice Sam Burke told The Healthy Mummy that we’re seeing a resurgence in the popularity of mince, and with good reason.
“It’s versatile, it’s easy to cook, it’s tasty and it’s nutritious. It’s high in iron and zinc and you get protein from it too. That’s a myth that butchers are making mince just to use up leftovers.”
Nutritionist Cheree Sheldon agrees, saying our bodies really benefit from a meaty mince boost!
“The red meat is rich in iron, zinc, and B12 which helps us have more energy and concentrate. Mince from turkey provide tryptophan, which can help us feel happier!,” she told The Healthy Mummy.
In terms of the nutritional value, you may be surprised to learn which mince comes out as the winner. “If you were to look at lowest in calories and lowest in fat it is kangaroo by a long shot!,” Cheree says. “Next in line would be chicken, and the ‘loser’ would be regular beef mince.
“However, I feel the cooking methods will make a difference, as will the meats that the butcher uses.”
This all depends on what recipe you’re making – some require a little more fat, while others work well with lean mince.
“Have you noticed how sometimes it could be really dry and others it is really oily? It is due to the amount of fatty parts the butcher adds to the meat when mincing it up,” Cheree explains.
“If you use a really lean meat and need to add lots of egg to bind it together, then shallow fry it, then perhaps you are ending up with the same amount of total fat as using a regular mince, not needing to add anything to bind as it holds together by itself, and grilling it instead of frying.”
Cheree says lean mince is perfect for slow cooked meals like bolognese, and stew style dishes. While the fattier is better for patties and meat loaf.
“When cooking, you can always drain off excess fat in a sieve after you have browned the meat, use cooking methods like grilling or using spray oil instead of deep frying, and patting dry on kitchen paper to get excess fat off.”
Which mince is best?
Which mince for which recipe?
20 mince recipes from The Healthy Mummy’s Challenge app
If you’re stuck in a spaghetti bolognese rut when it comes to mince, we can help – here are some YUMMY and healthy mince recipes from our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.
Not only are they delicious and nutritious, but the whole family will love them!
1. Beef San Choy Bow
390 cal
This Bolognese mince will become a family-friendly recipe as well as one you love. It tastes as good as it looks and packs in some healthy fresh veggies too.
2. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
365 cal
Never has there been a better way to dress up leftover mince and whatever veggies are left in the bottom of the crisper.
3. Kangaroo Koftas
442 cal
The rich savoury flavours of these kofta, perfectly seasoned with herbs and complimented by the creamy Masala makes a deliciously different dinner the family will love.
You can easily switch the kangaroo mince for lamb or beef if you prefer.
4. Spicy Stuffed Capsicum 
390 cal
Filled with fibre, antioxidants, iron, vitamin c and protein, this low calorie meal delivers many nutritional benefits at the same time as being incredibly tasty!
5. Dad Friendly Beef Burgers
317 cal
Everyone loves a tasty burger, and this one is so quick and easy to prepare that the kids can help. Customise the fillings depending on your tastes.
6. Chilli Beef Dumplings 
360 cal
These healthy boiled dumplings are tender little parcels that just melt in your mouth.
7. Cheesy Chicken Meatloaf
275 cal
This mildly-flavored, tasty meatloaf recipe creates a great budget-friendly meal that is simple to make after a busy day.
8. Mini Meat Pies 
269 cal
It’s a popular one for a reason – it’s not only delicious but simple too.
Serve with some homemade wedges and salad for a hearty dinner for the whole family.
9. Eggplant boats stuffed with veggies and savoury mince
Look at all those sausage rolls!
Sausage rolls are a hit with both kids and adults and can be enjoyed all year round – and these contain ‘hidden veggies’, so they’re a great way to get little ones to eat their vegetables without them even knowing! These are 70 calories per roll.
Nachos have been a huge favourite for a long time. Unfortunately it is also one of those high salt, high fat favourite foods that can make you feel bloated and heavy post-indulgence.
Today we have a Healthy Beef Nachos recipe that does away with all that. We made them in the Healthy Mummy HQ the other day and they are AMAZING!!!
10. Slow Cooked Porcupine Meatballs Recipe
11. Deliciously healthy beef chow mein makeover
12. Healthy Hidden Veggie Sausage Rolls
13. YUMMY And Healthy Beef Nachos
14. Family Friendly Budget Moussaka $4.58 Per Serve
This moussaka recipe is a great Greek-inspired recipe that is perfect for the whole family.
Make in a larger batch if want to serve everyone, or freeze leftovers in individual portions to reheat for a quick lunch.
This recipe calls for kangaroo mince but feels free to use lamb or beef mince if you prefer.
Get the eggplant moussaka recipe here.
Want a healthy take away style dinner on the table in under half an hour? This Lamb And Potato Pizza is fantastic for a solo meal, family dinner, or even a hot lunch.
The noodles contain a fibre that comes from the root of the konjac plant hence the name. You can get konjac noodles from major supermarkets.
Here’s a great recipe for when you are getting organised and doing some meal prep. It packages up well and freezes beautifully, perfect to defrost and reheat on a busy night.
The whole family will love them!
On the side of the lasagne, you could serve a colourful salad of iceberg lettuce, diced tomato, diced red onion, diced red and yellow capsicum, grated carrot and cucumber.
15. Slow cooked lasagne soup
16. Take Away Style Lamb And Potato Pizza
17. Oven Baked Pork Meatballs
18. Protein packed turkey burrito bowl
19. Cheesy Taco Cups
Need some inspiration for Taco Tuesday? Or any other day of the week! These cute little Cheesy Taco Cups from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge are a great healthy alternative to regular taco’s using cheese as the cups.
20. Healthy Mexican Lasagne
Get more delicious recipes on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!
Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is a family-friendly, affordable and customisable program designed to help mums reach their weight loss goals and tackle their health.
Our Challenge includes:
- 28 days of at-home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
- Customisable and family-friendly and breastfeeding-friendly meal plans
- Time-efficient exercises for busy mums – under 30 mins
- Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
- Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels
- Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes!
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