Use by date on mince?

[XmasStag]

I like cooking a bolognaise once a week. I cook a big batch of it and it lasts maybe for about three or four evenings for dinner.

I cooked a bolognaise for dinner today and the mince packet had a use by date for the 11th of Dec.

Does that mean that the whole lot would have to be used by the 11th of Dec?

Or does it have to be cooked by the 11th and the whole lot eaten by the 11th of December?

Or could I cook it and then let it cool and and put in the fridge for the week ahead.

Would the bolognaise be safe to eat for the week ahead after the 11th.

I don't like freezing food and defrosting and cooking that way.

Cook by 11th and then usually once cooked food is good for a couple of days.

Yes,once cooked should be fine. When it’s still raw you can tell when it’s best not to use as it turns from red to dark brown & smells bad.

Cooked by the 11th, then treat as you usually treat cooked mince (we are like you, and happily keep in the fridge 4/5 days).

Thank you for the replies.

Once you’ve cooked and changed the state it will be good for 3 days.

More importantly, do you not get bored having the same meal so often?