Savoury Mince

This basic mince mixture may be simply served as a Bolognese sauce, layered with sheets of pasta and ready-made white sauce to make a lasagne, or cooked with a large pinch of crushed dried chilli flakes and a can of kidney beans for a chilli con carne.

Serves 2

1 small onion, chopped, or 30 ml/2 tbsp frozen diced onion
1 small garlic clove, crushed, or 2.5 ml/½ tsp garlic purée (paste)
120 ml/4 fl oz/½ cup very hot (not boiling) beef stock
2 rashers (slices) of lean back bacon
1 carrot, diced, or 75 g/3 oz frozen diced carrots
1 celery stick, finely chopped
225 g/8 oz lean minced (ground) beef or steak
200 g/7 oz/small can of chopped tomatoes
60 ml/4 tbsp red or white wine or extra stock
5 ml/1 tsp sun-dried tomato purée (paste)
2.5 ml/½ tsp dried mixed herbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


  1. Put the onion and garlic in the ceramic cooking pot and pour the stock over. Cover with the lid and switch on the slow cooker to Auto or Low. Leave for a few minutes while measuring and preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Cut the fat and rind off the bacon with kitchen scissors and snip the bacon into small pieces. Add to the pot with the carrot and celery. Crumble the minced beef into the cooker with your fingers (this helps to stop it clumping together). Add the tomatoes, wine or extra stock, the tomato purée and herbs.
  3. Stir, then re-cover with the lid and cook on Auto for 4-5 hrs or on Low for 5-7 hours.
  4. Stir with a fork to break up the meat, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon half the savoury mince into a bowl or freezer container and allow to cool. Serve the remaining mince as a Bolognese sauce with spaghetti.


Second serving
Either cover the cooled mince and chill in the fridge for the following day, or freeze for up to a month. If frozen, allow the mince to defrost in the fridge overnight. To serve, heat gently in a saucepan and allow to bubble for about 5 minutes until piping hot.


Cook's tip
Other types of minced meat may be used as an alternative to beef, such as lamb, pork or turkey.