Satisfy Your Cravings with Wild Weaning

Lamb Bolognese

Serving: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This is a weekly staple in our home—it’s quick, easy, and so adaptable to whatever’s in the fridge! You can swap the veggies or even the meat; beef, chicken, lamb, or Quorn all work perfectly. There’s no salt in the recipe, and honestly, you don’t really need it for adults either. I just add a sprinkle of chilli flakes to my own serving. It’s packed with flavour for the kids and absolutely delicious for everyone! I serve it with spaghetti for a classic spag bol or pair it with roti for a fun twist.

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb mince

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp minced ginger

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 carrot, finely diced

• 3 whole cloves

• 3-4 fresh tomatoes, chopped (or 1 tin of chopped tomatoes)

• 1 low-sodium vegetable or lamb stock cube

• 1 tbsp paprika

• 1 tbsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp tomato purée

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion, ginger, and garlic, and sauté until fragrant and the onion is softened.

2. Add the diced carrot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the lamb mince and the whole cloves, cooking until the meat is browned and some of the water has evaporated.

4. Add the chopped tomatoes (or tinned tomatoes), vegetable stock cube, paprika, black pepper, and tomato purée. Mix well.

5. Cover the pan with a lid and let the bolognese simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the cloves before serving.

Serving Tips:

• Serve over spaghetti for a classic spaghetti Bolognese.

• Pair with roti or naan for a delicious twist.

• Use as a topping for baked potatoes or serve with mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

Babies 6-9 months:

• Ensure the bolognese is well-cooked, soft, and not too chunky.

• Serve with soft-cooked pasta shapes (like fusilli or penne) or spread onto strips of soft roti for easy grabbing.

• Always remove whole cloves before serving to avoid choking hazards.

Babies 9-12 months:

• Serve the bolognese sauce on slightly larger pieces of pasta or as a dip with soft roti or steamed vegetable sticks.

• Let your baby explore the textures while continuing to remove whole cloves.

Babies 12 months+:

• Serve the bolognese over spaghetti, cut into manageable lengths, or with roti.

• Add a sprinkle of grated cheese or a dash of mild spices to introduce new flavours.

Notes:

This Lamb Bolognese is incredibly versatile and can be served with all sorts of different sides. It’s perfect over classic spaghetti for a traditional meal, or you can pair it with roti, naan, or even crusty bread for a fun twist. For a lighter option, serve it on top of roasted vegetables or courgetti (spiralised courgette). You can also use it as a topping for baked potatoes or mashed potatoes for a hearty, comforting meal. Whatever you choose, this bolognese is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 4 servings):

• Calories: ~350 kcal

• Protein: ~20g

• Fat: ~20g (saturated ~8g)

• Carbohydrates: ~12g (sugars ~5g)

• Fibre: ~3g

• Sodium: ~150 mg (depending on the stock cube used)

Allergen Advice:

• Ensure the stock cube is free of allergens, such as gluten or dairy, if necessary.

• Always remove the whole cloves before serving to babies and young children.