Veggie Packed Beef Bolognese (Meal Prep)

Veggie Packed Beef Bolognese (Meal Prep)

Rich slow simmered beef sauce packed with finely diced vegetables, perfect for pasta or meal prep

Prep

20 mins

Cook

60 mins

Serves

6 to 8

Difficulty

Easy

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Ingredients

Vegetables

• 2 zucchini, about 300 to 320 g, finely diced
• 2 carrots, about 240 g, finely diced
• 130 g celery, finely diced
• 1 large red capsicum, about 260 to 280 g, finely diced
• 150 to 160 g button mushrooms, finely diced
• 2 to 3 small onions, about 350 g, finely diced

Beef and seasonings

• 1 kg beef mince, 90 percent meat 10 percent fat
• 1 and one half tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 and one half tablespoons kosher salt
• One half tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 can tomato puree
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 3 chicken stock cubes dissolved in 3 cups of water

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the beef mince and cook until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Stir in the zucchini, carrots, celery, capsicum, and mushrooms. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, tomato paste, tomato puree, diced tomatoes, and dissolved chicken stock. Stir well.
5. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for 40 minutes.
6. Remove the lid and continue to simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking.
7. Serve immediately or portion into containers for meal prep.

Tips

• Finely dicing the vegetables helps them melt into the sauce
• Simmer longer for a richer, deeper flavour
• Great for freezing and batch cooking

Storage

• Store airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Freeze in portions for up to 3 months
• Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave