Braised Lamb with Creamy Pasta is a rich and elegant dish featuring tender, slow-cooked lamb paired with silky, creamy pasta for a luxurious meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is perfect for special occasions or cozy dinners. The lamb is fall-apart tender, and the creamy pasta provides the perfect complement.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
lamb shoulder or shanks
olive oil
onion
garlic
tomato paste
red wine
beef broth
thyme
pasta (fettuccine or pappardelle)
heavy cream
Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Sear lamb in olive oil until browned; set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic. Add tomato paste and cook briefly.
- Deglaze with wine, then add broth and thyme. Return lamb to pot and braise, covered, at 325°F (160°C) for 2-3 hours.
- Cook pasta and toss with cream and Parmesan.
- Serve lamb over creamy pasta.
Servings and timing
Serves 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 2.5 hours
Variations
- Use beef short ribs instead of lamb.
- Add mushrooms or spinach to the pasta.
- Substitute white wine for red.
Storage/reheating
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat lamb in the oven; pasta gently on the stove.
FAQs
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, lamb tastes even better the next day.
What pasta is best?
Wide noodles like pappardelle or fettuccine.
Can I freeze braised lamb?
Yes, freezes well up to 3 months.
Can I skip wine?
Use more broth if preferred.
How do I make pasta sauce thicker?
Simmer to reduce or add more cheese.
What herbs work well?
Rosemary, thyme, or bay leaf.
Can I use lamb chops?
No, they are better grilled; use slow-cook cuts.
Is this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta to adapt.
What can I serve with it?
Green beans or a fresh salad.
Can I use store-bought sauce?
Homemade gives best results, but yes.
Conclusion
Braised Lamb with Creamy Pasta is a luxurious, deeply flavorful meal ideal for gatherings or a comforting dinner.
Print
Braised Lamb with Creamy Pasta
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Braised Lamb with Creamy Pasta is a rich and elegant dish featuring tender, slow-cooked lamb paired with silky, creamy pasta for a luxurious meal.
Ingredients
- lamb shoulder or shanks
- olive oil
- onion
- garlic
- tomato paste
- red wine
- beef broth
- thyme
- pasta (fettuccine or pappardelle)
- heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sear lamb in olive oil until browned; set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic. Add tomato paste and cook briefly.
- Deglaze with wine, then add broth and thyme. Return lamb to pot and braise, covered, at 325°F (160°C) for 2-3 hours.
- Cook pasta and toss with cream and Parmesan.
- Serve lamb over creamy pasta.
Notes
- For a variation, use beef short ribs instead of lamb.
- Add mushrooms or spinach to the pasta for extra flavor.
- Substitute white wine for red if preferred.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat lamb in the oven; pasta gently on the stove.
- Making this dish ahead is a great idea; the lamb tastes even better the next day.
- Wide noodles like pappardelle or fettuccine are best for this dish.
- The lamb freezes well for up to 3 months.
- If you prefer not to use wine, substitute more broth.
- To thicken the pasta sauce, simmer to reduce or add more cheese.
- Rosemary, thyme, or bay leaf work well as herbs for braising.
- Lamb chops are not ideal for this recipe as they are better grilled; use slow-cook cuts like shoulder or shanks.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Green beans or a fresh salad make great sides.
- While homemade sauce gives the best results, store-bought sauce can be used if in a pinch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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