Mini Pasta with Beef and Carrot Ragù
Small pasta shapes tossed with a slow-cooked minced beef, tomato and carrot sauce. A mild, hearty dinner for toddlers.
- prep
- 15 min
- cook
- 50 min
- total
- 1 h 5 min
- serves
- 4
- level
- medium
A proper ragù takes time, and that time is exactly what makes it toddler-friendly: a long, slow simmer breaks the beef down soft and mellows the tomato, without needing anything added for flavor beyond a little herb and grated carrot.
Grate the carrot rather than dicing it this time. It should disappear into the sauce entirely, there for sweetness and nutrition, not as a piece to chew around.
If your little one is still earlier in the journey, start with our Baby's First Foods guide.
Part of our 20 toddler meal ideas list.
method
Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it up well with a spoon, for 5 to 6 minutes.
Add the grated carrot and celery if using, and cook for 5 minutes, until softened.
Add the crushed tomatoes, stock and herbs. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and simmer on low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and the beef is very tender.
Cook the pasta separately according to the package until fully tender, a little softer than you might serve an adult.
Toss the pasta through the sauce, mashing any larger pieces of beef lightly with a fork if needed for your toddler's chewing ability.
Cool to a safe warm temperature before serving.
chef's tips
- Grating the carrot rather than dicing it means it fully disappears into the sauce, adding sweetness and nutrition without a texture to manage.
- A long, slow simmer breaks the beef down into much more manageable small pieces than a quick-cooked sauce would give you.
- Small pasta shapes are easier for a toddler to scoop and chew evenly than long strands like spaghetti, which can be swallowed in awkward lengths.
- This freezes very well as a sauce on its own, separate from the pasta, which you can then cook fresh whenever you serve it.