A tasty twist on a family classic, this Easy Lamb Bolognese can be made with lamb mince or leftover roast lamb for a speedy midweek dinner.
Regular readers of EPF will know I love lamb. Lamb is tasty, nutritious and much cheaper and easier to cook than it’s often given credit for. Need a little extra convincing? Take a look at my collection of lamb recipes and be inspired!
If you’ve cooked up a lamb roast for your Sunday lunch and are wondering what to make with the leftovers, then wonder no more! This quick and easy Lamb Bolognese is a great way to use up leftover roast lamb!
Alternatively, you can use lamb mince, which is usually about the same price as beef mince in British supermarkets and just as tasty. It works so well as an alternative to beef in this easy spaghetti bolognese.
If you’d rather use beef mince, or if you have some leftover beef, then that’s OK too – this recipe works equally well with beef or lamb.
The quantity I give below makes enough bolognese sauce for two meals for a family of 4. Eat half now and stash the rest in the fridge or freezer for a super quick meal at a later date. If you’d rather just cook one batch, simply halve the ingredients.
My top wine pick for this delicious Lamb Bolognese would be a Chianti, or a Sangiovese from elsewhere in Italy (or indeed from elsewhere in the world!).
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Easy Lamb Bolognese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive or rapeseed oil
- 2 large onions finely chopped
- 2 large carrots peeled and finely chopped
- 2 sticks celery finely chopped
- 1 kg lean lamb mince (or leftover roast lamb)
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 800 ml lamb or beef stock - from cubes is fine (I use 2 Kallo organic beef stock cubes)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
To Serve
- Spaghetti or any other shape of pasta you prefer
- Freshly grated parmesan or cheddar
Instructions
- Put the olive oil in a wide, deep saucepan and add the chopped onion, carrots and celery. Cook with the lid on over a gentle heat for about 5 minutes, until softened but not coloured.
- Turn the heat up to medium/high and add the mince. Fry for 5-10 minutes until the mince has browned all over and is flecked with darker brown. (If using leftovers, simply add in the leftovers and skip the rest of this step.)
- Tip in the chopped tomatoes, stock and bay leaves, plus salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Serve with spaghetti (or any other shape of pasta you wish) and grated cheese.
Notes
Pin Easy Lamb Bolognese for later
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Monika Dabrowski says
Looks super appetizing, delicious and easy to make is my idea of the perfect meal! #CookBlogShare
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Monika! It certainly is all of those things 😀 Eb x
Candace says
This sounds lovely. I’ve never used lamb mince to make anything other than lamb and mint burgers. Sounds a great way to eat up left over roast lamb
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Candice! Lamb mince is so versatile – it’s great in burgers, for sure! But also curries, lasagne, chilli con carne and more! Pretty much anything you do with beef mince, you can do with lamb mince too – which makes such a nice change! Eb x
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
I think swapping beef for lamb in bolognese is a brilliant idea and will have to give it a go. I do like lamb mince as it’s so versatile and delicious but perhaps not appreciated enough. Your ragu sounds like a winner Eb! 🙂 x
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Jo! Totally agree that lamb isn’t appreciated enough – I’d love to know how you get on with it in bolognese! Eb x
Corina Blum says
It sounds delicious and such a good change from a typical beef bolognese. I haven’t made any lamb recipes for ages and this is making me quite hungry. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice! x
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Corina. Love it when my recipes make people hungry! I feel I’ve done my job properly then 😉 Eb x
Mandy says
Another great recipe idea Eb – do you think there’s a blog out there that has more lamb recipes than yours? I can’t imagine there is!
Eb Gargano says
Hahaha – you made me curious so I tried searching for ‘best blog for lamb recipes’ I come in half way down the first page! 😀 I certainly haven’t come across a blog with more lamb recipes than mine. I think in general it’s a bit underrated as a meat. Which is a shame as it’s so versatile and totally delicious (IMHO)! Eb x
Janice says
I love lamb and everyone loves bolognese!
Eb Gargano says
Couldn’t have said it better myself!! 😀 Eb x
Louise Fairweather says
This looks lovely Eb. I don’t know why I have never thought of using lamb mince in bolognase before!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Louise! You should try it – it works so well!! Eb x
Irene says
A nice option to regular Bolognese, looks delicious!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Irene!
Carol says
Very nice. What a nice change from beef. I roasted green beans drizzled with olive oil and salt and it was the perfect accompaniment.
Eb Gargano says
Thanks so much for this lovely comment – I am delighted that you liked it so much. Love the idea of serving it with green beans with olive oil and salt = YUM! Eb ?
Lauren says
Does the calorie amount exclude the pasta/spaghetti? Looking forward to trying this! x
Eb Gargano says
Yes it does, as this depends how much pasta you make to serve with it. It also excludes parmesan for the same reason. Let me know how you get on! Eb 🙂