Rainbow Veg Chilli Con Carne with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 500g minced beef
• 1 carrot
• 1-2 capsicums
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 1 onion
• 1 zucchini
• 1 can of corn kernels or 1 cup frozen kernels
• 1 bag of frozen spinach
• 1 can of tomatoes
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 1 can of kidney beans (or other legumes like lentils or cannellini beans which are nice and soft for little gums)
• 1-2 tbsp paprika (smoky and Hungarian if you have both), 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, cracked pepper
• 1 tsp garlic or 1-2 cloves if fresh
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1.5 cups of water
• Sweet potatoes (enough for 1 per family member depending on their size)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees.
2. Heat a pan that is also oven friendly on the stove top.
3. Add in olive oil, garlic, onion and carrot.
4. Once softening add in the spices and cook until fragrant. Then add in the beef, other vegetables, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, water and beans.
5. Transfer to the oven and cook for 2-3 hours or until vegetables are nice and soft.
6. Wrap the sweet potatoes in foil and pop them into the oven alongside the pot. They should be ready in about an hour. Cooking them this way makes the skin really soft — so it's a great way to get fibre in when little gums often struggle with the tough skins of fruit and veg when they start solids.

Hack time — the quicker way if you need to make a meal in a hurry!

• If you have an older bub that is ready to tackle a firmer texture when it comes to vegetables, you could skip the oven and just cook this dish on the stove top until you're happy the veg are soft enough.
• You can also skip putting the sweet potato in the oven and instead wrap them in damp paper towel and microwave them for about 10 mins.

This dish is great served with some guacamole — avocado is a great source of healthy fats for babies too! Just add salt to your own meal after you serve it up to keep that salt intake low for your little one.

Storage Instructions

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir well and check the temperature before serving to bub.

Nutrition Notes

Beef and legumes are both great sources of iron and protein for babies, while the rainbow of veggies adds fibre, vitamins and variety. Baked sweet potatoes with their soft skins are an easy fibre boost. Keep bub's portion salt free and season adult serves at the table.

Parent Tip

Pop everything in the pot during nap time and let the oven do the work. Portion out bub's serve before adding any salt or extra chilli for the grown-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

From what age can I serve this?

From around 6 months with texture tweaks — blend or mash for new eaters, and keep everything soft and salt free. Always supervise bub while eating.

Are kidney beans safe for babies?

Yes, when cooked until soft. For 6–9 month olds, gently flatten beans between your fingers before serving to reduce the choking risk. Softer legumes like lentils or cannellini beans are also lovely options.

Can I make it faster?

Yes — cook it on the stovetop until the veg is soft, and microwave the sweet potatoes wrapped in damp paper towel for about 10 minutes.

Can I freeze it?

Absolutely. Freeze cooled portions for up to 3 months — it's a brilliant freezer-stash meal for busy weeks.