Mince quantity question (stretching and portion s...

[valk_scot]

The recommended portion size of red meat for the average adult is 4oz/113g, so 750g would give you six full portions. Of course if you padded it out you could get more in terms of portions. But you do need to keep an eye on protein intake and either compensate for smaller meat portions by either adding more protein in other ways (lentils, cheese on the top, yoghurt for pudding) or having other proteins at other meals.

There's no advantage of having excessively large portions of meat btw, unless you're into weight training. You just use the excess for fuel or lay it down as fat.

[quintwins]

I split my 750g in 2, and then i can get 2 meals for 5 of us from half, so i'd say 16 portions (kids eat about the same as 2 adults)

If i really need to make meat stretch i mix the mince threw the pasta for sag bol (it's easier if you use pasta shapes) and use very little. If i was using mince i'd do half for mince and taties or sheperds pie, and the rest in a huge pie.

[lushlifesaver]

I get three portions out of 250g mince but to do that I split the mince and sauce in half (OH doesn't have anything other than mince and sauce) and then add veggies to my half to bulk it out and make 2 portions (I then freeze one for when he's away :P)

[agreenmess]

Golly I'd say out of 750g that will make 6 meals, based on 125g per adult portion which is in line with what most nutritional people say HTH

[downshifted]

Thanks for all your contributions. I've gone with 3 x 2 portions - one for tonight and freeze two. We don't eat pasta or rice - we will be having it as a topping for Roast vegetables, or baked sweet potato. It looks generous - I will post again after dinner!

[downshifted]

Well, just for us for future reference, I think 750g mince cooked with onions, carrots peppers and tomoatoes (or dolmio) will make 8 adult portions if it is being served with vegetables (or pasta or rice if that's what you eat). We are both quite stuffed! We don't need to worry about protein intake as we have protein breakfast (sausages today) and lunch (cheese salad)

Thanks for your input everyone :-)

[winniepooh]

I've just finished writing my freezer list and I have 250g of beef mince. I don't think there is enough for a main meal for the four of us and I'm not sure what else to do with it. Any ideas?

[Jennie]

I would make a mini bolognese or chili and serve it on top of big jacket potatoes with salad.

Or, I would make a bolognese or savoury mince and mix it with cooked pasta. Sprinkle cheese on top, bung under the grill.... perfect!

[anniemf2508]

i'd make meatballs

[quintwins]

I would make spag bol with it but instead of putting it on top mix it threw the pasta like you would a bake and top with cheese, i split 750g packs into 2 for the 5 of us so 325g a meal, but if i make spag bol i always do this and get 2 meals

[peachyprice]

250g of mince will easily make enough bolognaise for 4, I get 6 large portions out of 500g that would easily stretch to 8.

250g mince
1 large onion
4 mushrooms
1-2 tins chopped toms
tube tom puree
Paprika, salt & pepper

[trolleyrun]

If you have a slow cooker, make bolognaise sauce. Just add lentils with your mince, whatever veggies you want, herbs/spices and chopped tinned tomatoes or passata. I do this quite a lot and you can't even taste the lentils

[THIRZAH]

You could mix it with the same amount of sausage meat for meatballs or meatloaf

[cutestkids]

250g is the amount that I would normally use for a bolognese, chilli or shepherds pie for the 4 of us as i would be adding lots of veg and beans to the chilli etc.

[Fruball]

Definately enough for bolognese but as others have said, stir it through the spaghetti before serving and top with cheese.

Yum

[JackieO]

Lasagne with a lot of chunky veg and a handful of red lentils will streeetch it to a decent size with maybe even a small left over to go into the freezer

[JIL]

chilli con carne with a tin of red beans and a tin of chick peas, mushrooms and peppers.

[bossymoo]

Or do you have tortillas? You could make chilli and stack with tortillas like lasagne and top with cheese. A sort of fajita stack...

[krlyr]

I made this the other month and the amount of meat you need is very little, it was very filling - we had far less than the serving size (yet were absolutely stuffed), I halved the whole recipe for the two of us and there was still enough leftovers for two generous lunch portions for 2 people the next day.
http://www.itv.com/food/recipes/chun...inned-potatoes

[winniepooh]

Thank you to all of you. Loads of fab ideas