How to make Pots for Tots Lamb Tagine at home...
Our Fruity Lamb Tagine was a much-loved meal at Pots for Tots, enjoyed by little ones for its gentle spices, comforting texture and naturally sweet flavours. Although it’s no longer on our menu, we didn’t want it to disappear completely - so from our kitchen to yours, Lizzy, our amazing Head of Product, is sharing this dairy-free, toddler-approved lamb tagine recipe so you can bring a little Pots for Tots magic to your own family mealtimes.
Packed with vegetables, tender lamb and soft apricots, this Moroccan-inspired dish is perfect for a nourishing, dairy-free meal for toddlers and the whole family. Plus, the mildly spiced flavours are a great way to introduce children to new tastes - because variety is the spice of life!
The ingredients you'll need for this family-friendly tagine...
(serves 2 adults and 2 children, plus seconds)
- Butternut squash – 200g, peeled and diced into 1cm pieces
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp
- Lamb mince – 400g
- White onion - 1 large, peeled and diced into 1cm pieces
- Carrot - 1 small, peeled and diced into 1cm pieces
- Garlic - 2 cloves, peeled and finely chopped
- Ground cumin - ½ tsp
- Ground cinnamon - ½ tsp
- Paprika - ½ tsp
- Tomato purée - 1 tbsp
- Chopped tomatoes - 400g
- Chickpeas, drained - 240g
- Dried apricots, chopped - 50g
- Water or stock - 400ml
- Your choice of bulgur wheat, couscous or rice to serve.
Here’s how to make it (serves 2 adults and 2 children, plus seconds)
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C / 180°C fan.
2. Spread the diced butternut squash onto a baking tray and drizzle with the oil. Roast for 30–40 minutes, turning halfway, until soft and golden.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the lamb mince and fry, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned.
💡 Tip: You shouldn’t need to add oil, as the lamb will release its own fat, but if your mince is very lean you may need a small drizzle.
4. Once the lamb has browned, add the chopped onion and carrot. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
5. Add the garlic, ground cumin, ground cinnamon and paprika. Cook for 1 minute, stirring well, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute.
6. Add the chopped tomatoes, chickpeas, chopped apricots and water (or stock). Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and rich.
7. Once the tagine is ready, gently stir through the roasted butternut squash.
To serve...
Serve this kid-friendly lamb tagine with bulgur wheat, couscous, or rice for a nutritious family dinner. Our Children’s Dietitian also suggests adding flatbreads for dipping, a dollop of dairy-free yoghurt, or thinly sliced veggies like peppers and cucumber for an extra boost of flavour and colour.
Why we love this recipe:
Family-friendly and toddler-approved: Gentle spices, soft vegetables, and naturally sweet apricots make it perfect for little palates, while still being hearty and tasty for grown ups!
Packed with veggies: You'll find tomatoes, butternut squash, onion and carrot in this dish - a 200g portion for your toddler provides 2 of their 5-a-day!
Dairy-free and easy to adapt: Suitable for toddlers and families with dietary needs.
Ideal for batch cooking and easy weeknight family dinners: Cook more, freeze more - perfect for busy evenings when you need a healthy, toddler‑friendly dinner fast.
Tried this simple lamb tagine recipe? We’d love to see! Tag us on Instagram @pots_for_tots.
And if you're looking for more made without dairy meals, you can find our menu here - or order yourself a pre-made bundle with a mix of our made without dairy favourites!
