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A close up shot of cooked bolognese with a wooden spoon.
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5 from 30 votes

Easy Bolognese with Vegetables

By: Min Kwon | MJ and Hungryman
This kid-friendly veggie-loaded meat sauce with ground beef and medley of vegetables is hearty, filling, and nutritious! 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds ground Beef, (at least 90% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 carrot, , grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, , minced
  • 1 cup cremini mushrooms, , sliced then chopped
  • 1 cup zucchini, , grated
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef stock
  • 28 ounce can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh basil, parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions 

  • Heat nonstick skillet over MEDIUM heat until hot. Add Ground Beef and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add carrots and garlic. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, breaking beef into small crumbles and stirring occasionally.
  • Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
  • Turn heat to LOW, cover and cook at a slow simmer, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes. Uncover, adjust salt and pepper and simmer another 10-15 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Notes

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Loving Texans.
Storage:
  • Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • If intending to freeze, note that as with all sauces, it will expand so leave extra space at the top. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. I like to freeze in single-serving portions. This tray is really great! Once frozen, you can pop the molded sauce out and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
To reheat: thaw in the fridge overnight. Cook on the stovetop or microwave. Be sure to stir every 20-30 seconds or so until heated through.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 5mg
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