Lamb ragu
An Italian dish where lamb is slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce with herbs and served over pasta or polenta.
- 2 lbs 900g ground lamb
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 carrots finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Pasta of your choice
Cook the Lamb:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground lamb and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, remove the lamb from the pot and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
Cook the Vegetables:
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add Tomatoes and Broth:
Return the browned lamb to the pot. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth. Add the dried oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer the Ragu:
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.
Combine and Serve:
If the ragu is too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Toss the cooked pasta with the lamb ragu until well coated. Serve the ragu over the pasta, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.