Family-friendly mince dishes for the winter months

Don’t you just love a meal that’s easy to make, won’t break the bank, and fills up even the hungriest tummies?

That’s why mince is a lifesaver, especially in winter! Using New Zealand beef or lamb to make a big batch of Bolognese to freeze for later or a hearty mince and vegetable pie, there’s something so comforting about a home-cooked mince dish. So, if you’re stuck for dinner ideas, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with some proper, family-friendly favourites!

there is a plate of peas and a pan of meatballs on the table .

Peter Gordon’s baked meatballs

We can’t talk mince without highlighting that family favourite – meatballs. Food legend, Peter Gordon uses chickpeas to stretch out the mince and balance the meal in a tasty and hearty way.

Extra easy lasagna

This is the lazy mans lasagna, in that it uses six ingredients but doesn’t skimp on flavour. Load in extra vegetables if you’re feeling like it.

Stuffed Aubergine

If you can find them, these make the most welcome dinner. We make double batches of the mince and freeze so these are a cinch to make. A green winters salad makes the ideal companion.

Tex-Mex Soup

Using Angel bay meatballs makes this an easy and quick dinner. Load in your favourite tex-mex vegetables such as canned tomatoes and frozen corn.

Beef chow mein

This is way better than the takeaway shop and just as easy to pull together. We use the frozen vegetable mixes to shortcut fresh and delicious vegetables without compromising on budget or nutrition.

a close up of stuffed eggplant with meat and cheese on a table .

Shepherds Pie

Kathy’s shepherd pie is a thing of beauty and we love nothing more than the kumara topping, yielding to a rich and flavourful mince filling.

Lasagna soup

All the flavours of lasagna but without the lengthy cooking time and in a comforting spoonable form. So delicious, you’ll be making this all winter long, it has been trending on social media for a reason…

Beef and bean shakshuka

This is a bowl of comfort, made easy by using small hacks like beans in a chilli sauce to help bring plenty of flavour. We love the ways the eggs poach in the sauce adding an extra protein punch.

a group of people are sitting at a table eating hamburgers .

Beef and bacon burgers

Burgers aren’t just for summery months – they’re the perfect mid week meal in winter too. Load them up with dark green leaves and a good dollop of relish and you’ve got an easy dinner at hand.

Mince and vegetable pie

This is the ‘ultimate use up what you have’ dish and we love it for helping clear out the vegetable drawer in the fridge. Plus it’s great to make a double batch of filling so you can whip up this pie anytime.