Easy Weeknight Dinners with Butchery Bocs

Life gets busy, especially on weeknights. That’s why it’s essential to have quick, delicious, and nutritious meal ideas at your fingertips, and Butchery Bocs is here to help. With high-quality, locally-sourced Welsh meat, you can elevate even the simplest dishes. Here are some easy weeknight dinner ideas that are hearty, satisfying, and perfect for the whole family. From classic favourites to modern twists, these recipes are designed to get dinner on the table in no time, using Butchery Bocs meats and a handful of everyday ingredients.

Classic Beef Mince Chilli

Serves: 4-6 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

This hearty beef mince chilli is full of flavour and ideal for a quick, comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 500g Butchery Bocs minced beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 1 can (400g) kidney beans, drained
• 2 tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
2. Add Butchery Bocs minced beef, breaking it up with a spoon and cooking until browned.
3. Stir in red pepper, tomatoes, kidney beans, and spices. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
5. Serve with rice or crusty bread, garnished with fresh coriander.

2. Traditional Lasagne

Serves: 6-8 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes

A comforting lasagne with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese, using Butchery Bocs minced beef for a hearty family favourite.

Ingredients:

• 500g Butchery Bocs minced beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lasagne sheets
• 50g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 600ml milk
• 100g grated cheddar or mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook onion and garlic until soft. Add minced beef, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in tomatoes, tomato puree, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. For the béchamel sauce, melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour, cooking for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
5. In a baking dish, layer meat sauce, lasagne sheets, and béchamel, repeating layers and finishing with béchamel on top.
6. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 45 minutes until golden and bubbling.
7. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.

3. Chicken Stir-Fry with Honey and Soy

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes

Stir-fries are quick and versatile, and this sweet and savoury chicken stir-fry is sure to be a family favourite.

Ingredients:

• 500g Butchery Bocs chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 100g mangetout or green beans
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
• Cooked rice or noodles to serve

Instructions:

1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large wok or frying pan over high heat.
2. Add chicken strips and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add the remaining oil, bell peppers, carrot, and mangetout. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
4. Return chicken to the pan. Stir in soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

4. Pork and Apple Burgers

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

These juicy, flavourful pork burgers have a touch of sweetness from the apple and are great for a quick and easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 500g Butchery Bocs minced pork
• 1 apple, grated
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Burger buns, lettuce, and toppings of your choice

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine pork mince, grated apple, and onion. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Shape the mixture into 4 burger patties.
3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
4. Serve in buns with lettuce, tomato, and your favourite condiments.

5. Classic Chicken Pasta Bake

Serves: 6-8 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

This creamy pasta bake with Butchery Bocs chicken breast is packed with flavour and topped with golden cheese—perfect for cozy family dinners.

Ingredients:

• 500g Butchery Bocs chicken breast, diced
• 400g pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 400g can of chopped tomatoes
• 200ml double cream
• 100g grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
4. Add diced chicken and cook until browned. Stir in tomatoes, cream, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Combine chicken sauce with the pasta, then transfer to a baking dish. Top with grated cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.

6. Sausages and Mash with Rich Onion Gravy

Ingredients:

For the Sausages and Mash:

• 8 quality Butchery Bocs sausages
• 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 50g butter
• 100ml milk (or as needed)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Onion Gravy:

• 1 large onion, finely sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 500ml beef or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Fresh thyme or rosemary, to garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Boil the potatoes in salted water until soft (about 15-20 minutes). Drain, then return to the pan. Add the butter and milk, mashing until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside in a warm place.

2. Cook the Sausages: While the potatoes cook, grill or fry the sausages on medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Turn occasionally for even cooking, then set aside, keeping them warm.

3. Make the Onion Gravy:

   • In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
   • Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and caramelized (around 10 minutes).
   • Stir in the flour and cook for another minute, allowing the mixture to thicken.
   • Gradually add the stock, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce if desired.
   • Let the gravy simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened to your liking. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

4. Serve: Spoon the creamy mash onto plates, add two sausages per serving, and drizzle with rich onion gravy. Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary, if desired. Enjoy with a side of steamed vegetables or green peas for a balanced meal.

Weeknight dinners don’t have to be complicated, and with Butchery Bocs' quality Welsh meats, you can create hearty, delicious meals without the hassle. These easy recipes are designed to keep your family well-fed while keeping your kitchen time to a minimum. Whether you're whipping up a quick stir-fry, a cozy chilli, or a traybake, each dish is packed with flavour and nutrients. So, stock up on Butchery Bocs meats, try these recipes, and make weeknight dinners a breeze!