Microwave beef mince and lentil hotpot
This simple hotpot is made in the microwave but tastes just as delicious as if it’s been baked. If you are new to cooking, it’s a great way of making an economical meal with very little bother.
This recipe is part of a Budget family microwave meal plan. In March 2023 it was costed at an average of £4.36 when checking prices at four UK supermarkets. It is designed to be made in conjunction with a low-cost store-cupboard.
Ingredients
- 600g/1lb 5oz potatoes, each about 150g/5½oz, well scrubbed (see Tip below)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, about 200g/7oz, peeled and diced
- 250g/9oz lean beef mince
- 400g tin lentils (any variety), drained and rinsed
- 15²µ/½´Ç³ú plain flour
- 250ml/9fl oz hot beef stock, made with 1 stock cube
- 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
- ½ tsp dried mixed herbs
- 25g/1oz cheddar, finely grated
- pinch paprika (optional)
- 250g/9oz frozen peas
- ½ head broccoli, about 200g/7oz, cut into small florets and halved
- freshly ground black pepper
- chopped fresh flatleaf parsley, to garnish (optional)
Method
Prick each potato 5–6 times all over with a fork. Place the potatoes on a large microwaveable plate, spread well apart in a circle. Cook uncovered on HIGH for 3 minutes (1000W) or 3 minutes 40 seconds (800W). Turn over and cook on HIGH for a further 3 minutes (1000W) or 3 minutes 40 seconds (800W), or until just cooked. A knife inserted into the centre should slide in easily. (Add an extra minute or so if they are still a little hard.) Set aside. They will continue to cook as they rest.
Mix the onion and carrots in a large, wide-based microwaveable pie dish or casserole (see Tip below). Cover with a microwaveable lid or dinner plate and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes (1000W) or 6 minutes 30 seconds (800W), or until just softened. Add the mince and lentils and mix well with the vegetables. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W), stirring and breaking up the mince halfway. Stir in the flour then add the stock, ketchup and dried herbs. Season well with a little salt and lots of black pepper.
Slice the potatoes and place on top of the mince. Sprinkle with the cheese, some black pepper and the paprika, if using. Cook uncovered on HIGH for 4 minutes 30 seconds (1000W) or 6 minutes (800W), or until the filling is bubbling and the cheese has melted. Leave to stand for 5 minutes.
Place the peas and broccoli in a microwaveable bowl, cover and cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W), or until tender and hot, stirring halfway.
Serve the hotpot with the vegetables, sprinkled with a little freshly chopped parsley if preferred.
Recipe Tips
Potatoes can vary in size a lot. Four medium potatoes will cook in the time given above, but if they are much smaller or larger than 150g/5½oz each, or you need more of them, be prepared to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
A microwaveable, wide-based pie dish works well for this recipe and means there is plenty of room for the potato topping. Look for one that’s around 23cm/9in in diameter or will hold about 2 litres/3½ pints.
For extra colour, and if the dish is flameproof, pop the hotpot under a hot grill to brown the cheese at the end of the cooking time.
For a flavour boost, stir 1–2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce into the mince mixture at the same time as the ketchup.