Are you working with a tight grocery budget but still want to cook nutri-sarap meals for your family? Ground pork might just be the answer!

Did you know that this meat is lower in calories and packed with protein? It’s also more affordable than ground beef or lamb, making it a sulit-na-sulit choice. Plus, it’s a flavor powerhouse because of its slightly sweet and fairly fatty nature.

This ground meat is highly versatile. You can enjoy it on its own, simply flavored with Knorr Liquid Seasoning. Or, combine it with other ingredients for a quick ulam. This protein isn't partial to any spice, vegetable, or carb. You can even use it as a sub in many recipes if you need to cut costs.

Do you want to put it to the test? Try these seven international and Filipino ground pork recipes for every day of the week.

Monday: Ragù

Avoid the Monday morning blues with a hearty pasta dish that you can prep ahead over the weekend. A ragù is a broad word that refers to any Italian sauce made of meat, tomatoes, and a sofrito of vegetables, including onion, celery, and carrot. Using pork is ideal because of its rich flavor and slight sweetness. You can also cook it for long periods without the risk of drying out – perfect for a low and slow recipe like this.

Tuesday: Giniling Guisado

Guisado is a Spanish term that refers to braising meat by stewing or sauteing it with vegetables. Don’t worry, this recipe isn’t as complicated as it sounds! Giniling guisado only calls for ground pork, Knorr Pork Cube, hard-boiled eggs, and an assortment of vegetables. Go all out and add every ingredient named in “Bahay Kubo”! Enjoy as is with a bowl of rice or transform it into other dishes, like tortang giniling.

Wednesday: Pad Kra Pao Moo

Need to spice up your week? Make your Wednesday more exciting with this Thai street food. Pad kra pao is a dish of stir-fried minced meat and holy basil. Numerous variations use different proteins, but pork or “moo” is an all-time favorite. Complete the meal with steamed rice and a crispy fried egg. And make sure to use Thai basil for the most authentic flavor!

Thursday: Ginisang Pechay With Giniling

This recipe proves that a little goes a long way when it comes to giniling na baboy. One-fourth cup is all you need to make your ulam shine. Sauté pork with pechay, onion, garlic, Knorr Pork Cube, and water, and you’re done! This dish is hearty on its own, but you can also pair it with daing na bangus or crispy fried tokwa.

Friday: Arroz ala Cubana

You made it to the end of the week! As a treat, prepare yourself a plate of arroz ala cubana. The traditional Spanish version of this dish features rice, fried eggs, and tomato sauce. Filipinos made it heartier by adding fried bananas and stir-fried meat. Try cooking this with ground beef, pork, or a mix of both for maximum flavor.

Saturday: Dan Dan Noodles

Looking for a ground pork recipe to practice making on your rest day? Consider dan dan noodles, another humble street food craved worldwide. This Sichuan dish offers a habit-forming combination of spicy, savory, and nutty flavors. Its traditional version features mala-spiced minced pork, pickled vegetables, peanuts, and spring onions. These noodles are simple to prep, and you can easily adjust the spice levels depending on your fam’s preferences.

Sunday: Lumpiang Shanghai

Sunday is party day! And what’s a Filipino celebration without lumpiang shanghai? Do you know about this dish’s origin? Although it’s similar to Chinese fried spring rolls, it surprisingly takes inspiration from Spanish taquitos. The basic version uses minced pork and vegetables, but you can upgrade this by adding shrimp, corn, and mushrooms. Don’t forget to serve the rolls with a sweet and sour sauce or mayo flavored with Knorr Liquid Seasoning Chili.

Whether you decide to stick to a local ground pork recipe or experiment with something new, you’ll always be bound for success! Make ground pork your kitchen best friend. With its versatility and reasonable pricing, it'll never let you down.