Beef mince to use but no carrots

[ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse]

Does anyone have any ideas? I was going to make bolognese but have realised I've no carrots, celery or pancetta/bacon so that seems a lost cause 😅

I have onions, garlic, leeks, courgettes, spinach, frozen butternut squash, but nothing red like peppers or carrots to sweeten anything.

Also have potatoes, rice, pasta, couscous

Any ideas gratefully received...

Another one who doesn’t use carrots as standard in bolognaise, and usually just throw in whatever is in the fridge. I’m making it tonight actually as I need to use stuff up and it will have onions, mushrooms, half a courgette and a red pepper in. Think I have some celery too that’s probably close to death!

Beef tacos are nice if you have some kind of spicy seasoning, and the tacos themselves? Or shepherds pie, although I do actually normally put carrots and celery in that! You could make your own burgers

I must admit that all of the ingredients OP lists are things I'd add to a bolognese, along with mushrooms, garlic, onions, tomatoes and red wine. What do people put in their bolognese as standard? Just tomato and onion with the mince?

With the ingredients you've listed OP I'd be minded to make meatballs.

Never heard of babotie before but just looked it up and definitely going to give that a try some time!

@TheTurn0fTheScrew Thanks for the Pilaff idea. It sounds appealing and not too long to cook which a good thing in this hot weather!

Meatloaf/meatballs

Another saying keema curry and rice yum

I also don't put carrots, celery or bacon In my spag bol

Tacos

super simple

https://houseofyumm.com/best-ever-taco-meat/

This

None of these belong in a decent bolognaise

My question was about the need to sweeten food @ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse There is no sugar in an Oxo cube - as you've proved by posting the list of ingredients!

Bolognese means many things to many people (and I think it's fab that we all have our own comforting 'home' version) but tbf I'm pretty sure in Bologna they do traditionally put carrot, celery and bacon (or pancetta or equivalent) in their ragu. But often no garlic!! Seems crazy but is delicious.

Make a cottage pie OP

In my house:
Mince
onion
garlic
(stock) sometimes depending what I've got
red wine
passata (and or tinned/fresh tomatoes)
salt
pepper
Dash of chilli powder
Mixed dried Italian herbs (or fresh oregano, basil etc)
Grated cheese to serve (should be parmesan but cheddar is good)

another one for cottage pie - garlic , onions , tin of tomatoes if you have that with roast leeks on the side or added at the end of slow cooking of mince in some stock ( I use chicken stock if I don't have beef and it's fine ) . Also a dollop of tomato sauce whisked up in the stock will sweeten it a little if you don't have or don't normally added tinned tomatoes to your Cottage pie. I reckon that would be fine.

do you have any frozen peas and or sweetcorn?

I'd always put celery and carrots in a Bolognese too - and Googling suggests that is the 'authentic' Italian recipe (but as pp mentioned omitting garlic and possibly adding milk).

Basilicious Meatball Sub With Fries https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/beef-recipes/basilicious-meatball-sub-with-fries

Beef Meatball Melt With Basil Oil https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/beef-recipes/beef-meatball-melt-with-basil-oil

These are both delicious 😋 the second one might feel a little too comforting for the sunny weather but the first one should be just right if you've got the other ingredients to hand.

Or if you fancy something totally different look up recipes for Dan Dan noodles, we follow a recipe from a Pippa Middlehurst book and normally use pork mince but I've heard it's just as good with beef

Just one more, this is also delicious and feels quite summery BBQ kofte with whipped feta and tahini slaw
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/bbq-kofte-with-whipped-feta-and-tahini-slaw/

It has carrot in the slaw but I'm sure that could be adapted

Bibimbap is another option

There is... it's v low down but it's in the ingredients

Chilli
Lasagne
Beef tacos

long list of ideas
https://www.recipetineats.com/category/beef-mince-recipes/

I’ve been meaning to try the beef fried rice for a while

The beef and lentil soup also looks good but more wintry

I agree with you OP about bolognese. And Oxo.

Not the point of the thread, but as an aside, I think putting mushrooms in bolognaise is a crime against humanity. Culprits should be tried at the ICC.

I don't put carrots or celery in my spag bol and have been known to make it without pancetta (if it's just for a weekday supper for the kids).

Anyway, I made the Hairy Bikers chilli recently and it was really good.

Mushroom in anything is a crime for sure.

Pmsl at people telling OP that carrots and celery aren’t standard. Best recipe I’ve used is this one- it’s where I learned about adding milk and it makes a huge difference.

https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2020/sep/28/marcella-hazans-bolognese-meat-sauce

(You can make it without the carrots and celery if you want and it’s still good- the sweetness comes from the onions- but with is better. No mushrooms or courgettes or whatever though!)