Batch Bake Minced Beef Recipe

Submitted by annie2006

This is my huge batch bake recipe which I make every month without fail. It makes:  2 spag bol,  5 chilli con carne and one shepherds pie for a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 small children),  so a total of 40 portions
but only uses 1kg of mince

Ingredients (looks long but that's because you are making 8 meals!)

1kg mince
3 onions
cpl cloves of garlic
2 oxos or if you are really good the left over juices from a previous beef joint.
6 tins toms (or fresh/frozen if you have plenty)
Tube of tom puree
Any veg you need using up ie peppers,  celery,  carrots,  courgette cut up small or grated.
Couple of  handfuls of porridge (sounds rank but trust me!)
Couple of  handfuls red lentils
6 cans of beans - can use a mix of baked beans, chickpeas, kidney beans whatever you like / is on offer
Chilli powder / fresh chillies to your taste.
Some mashed potatoes

A bit of strong grated cheese (stronger it is the less you need to use)

Method:

In the biggest pan you can find,  fry your mince with onions and garlic. add the oxos and chopped veg and cook until all nicely browned.  Add the lentils and porridge and a good amount of water for them to soak up. Add the toms and cook for about 20 mins (just watch it has enough water).

Now you can split into your meals.

Put one portion into the bottom of a casserole dish and pile with your mashed potatoes and a bit of grated cheese.  Either freeze at this point or pop in oven for 40 mins at 180c.

Add the tom puree and split the remaining mixture in half.  One half should make you 2 nice sized family portions of Bolognese sauce which you can pot up and freeze.

The other half of the mixture is going to be your chilli.  Add all your beans and chilli and cook for another 15 mins until the beans are soft.  Split into 5 tubs.

I think it works out at around a £1 / £1.50 a meal.