Italian lamb lasagna.
Lasagne al forno con agnello.
When it comes to lamb with pasta dishes I have a number of favourites that I have already posted here on The Pasta Project. Recipes like pasta with lamb and artichokes or lamb ragu with Sardinian gnocchi or fusilli with lamb ragu from Molise are all incredibly delicious. This was the first time I made a lamb lasagna and I have to say it takes the lamb and pasta combo to another level of deliciousness!
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Lamb for Easter
With Easter on the horizon, I’ve been thinking about what to cook for family and friends over the holiday weekend. Lamb is a must for Easter here in Northern Italy. Well, throughout Italy actually! The rest of the year, it isn’t eaten so much in Veneto where I live, so not so easily available. Although it’s popular year round in other regions. This is a great pity in my book because I love lamb.! However, I’ve learnt to compromise and make good use of what I can find.
Lamb in Italy.
Luckily, one of the easiest ways for me to serve the cuts of lamb I can find is with pasta. Lamb with pasta may sound unusual to some. But it’s not only traditional in a number of Italian regions such as Sardinia, Molise and Abruzzo, it’s also really delicious. I usually buy large meaty chops like neck chops and cut the meat off the bone. I use the bones to make stock and the meat in the pasta sauce.
What goes into this lamb lasagna.
The sauce for this lamb lasagna is pretty similar to other lamb ragu recipes. But putting the ragu together with the lasagne sheets and béchamel and baking it all in the oven makes a dish that is much richer in taste than other lamb and pasta recipes.
For the pasta, I used fresh pasta sheets from Giovanni Rana, not homemade but very good. Of course you can make your own lasagne sheets or use dried lasagne. If using dried pasta you will need to semi-cook the sheets in boiling water before putting the dish together.
Perfect for Easter!
This lamb lasagna recipe is not my invention. Although not a traditional lasagne al forno, there are many Italian recipes for this dish. Lasagne al forno is a popular choice in Italy for family lunches and when feeding large numbers. Making a lamb lasagna at Easter combines two culinary traditions and has become very popular.
Some recipes for lamb lasagna involve making quite a complicated ragu with lots of ingredients, including different meats and vegetables. I decided on a simpler sauce. Lamb that’s been cut into small pieces doesn’t need to be cooked for very long. However, if you add other meats then the ragu will need to simmer for longer.
As I mentioned before, this was the first time I had made a lamb lasagna. It definitely won’t be the last. In fact, I think this will most probably be my lamb pasta recipe for Easter. What will you be making?
Buon appetito!
(go to next page for recipe. Just scroll down and click 2)
Tess says
Hi love to try this!
can I use minced lamb meat?
Can I substitute tomato Passata with tomato purée or tomato paste?
Thank you
Jacqui says
Hi Tess, thank you for your comment. I think lamb mince would work very well but not sure about substituting the passata. I don’t know where you live but what Italians call passata is purée in USA. Whereas purée or paste is tomato concentrate in UK. Confusing right? Passata is basically fresh tomatoes that have been peeled and blended. Sometimes it’s quite chunky, sometimes quite liquid. You could also use canned peeled tomatoes. Hope that helps. This lasagna is really good. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Tess says
Hi Jacqui
Had tried this today. My family loves it! Thank u for your lovely recipe.
Eva says
I love the sound of this recipe and I have had lamb lasagna before which I LOVED, however I have dinner party with someone who doesn’t ear red meat, so I was thinking to sub the lamb with mince turkey breast, do you think it would work please?
Jacqui says
Hi Eva, thanks for your comment. I’m sure minced turkey would work well too. I’d just be careful not to let the meat cook too much as turkey has no fat and tends to dry out quickly! If you make it, do let me know how it turns out. All the best from Verona!
Martina OReilly says
I’ve used Turkey, pork, chicken, beef and lamb. Sometimes one and other times a combo of 2 or 3. Always gorgeous
Daniel says
Hi
Just wondering where the cherry tomatoes come in to play?
Jacqui says
Hi Daniel, the cherry tomatoes are optional but I’ve edited the recipe instructions to include them. Thanks for pointing out this missing info! Enjoy your lamb lasagna!
Kathy says
Does your website have a way to convert the recipe amounts to cups or ounces? TIA, looking forward to making your lamb lasagna!
Jacqui says
Hi Kathy, thank you for your comment. Until now I haven’t installed a weight converter but I have been doing it myself with new recipes. I’ve also started adding ounces & cup measurements to old recipes but it takes some time to get through them all! Anyway I’ve just done it for the lamb lasagna for you. If you need to convert weight measurements you can also do it on Google.
Diane Taylor says
Sounds good as I’ve left over slow cooked lamb I’ll use that. I’ll let you know results. Lamb is our best meat in Australia.
Jacqui says
I’m sure it will be delicious with your slow cooked lamb Diane! You are lucky that you have such great lamb in Australia!
Andrea Metlika says
This sounds wonderful! I’ve never tried lamb in lasagna.
Jacqui says
Lamb lasagna is so good Andrea! If you like lamb, you’ll love it!
Noelle says
This will be great for Easter, I can’t wait to make this! I had been looking for a perfect recipe 🙂
Jacqui says
Thanks Noelle! Yes this is a great Easter recipe, especially if you traditionally eat lamb. We do, so I love making this!
Pam Greer says
This lamb lasagna looks so good! We usually have ham for Easter around here, but I think Lamb would be perfect!
Jacqui says
Thanks Pam! Lamb is traditional in Italy at Easter, in UK too. Of course this lamb lasagna can be enjoyed all year round. Def worth trying!
Natalie says
I think I never had lamb lasagna before. And I absolutely love lamb meat. I must give this recipe a try. Looks so delicious. And it’s super easy to make. Saving!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Natalie! If you love lamb you’ll devour this lasagna! It’s so so good!
Tayler Ross says
This was SO delicious! I am definitely making this again for Easter Sunday!
Jacqui says
So happy you liked this lamb lasagna Tayler! Yes, perfect for Easter Sunday lunch!
Annissa says
An Italian recipe with an Easter twist!I think this is an interesting treat at the dinner table for any occasions and gatherings any time of the year!
Jacqui says
Thank you dear Annissa! Lamb is traditional in Italy at Easter, especially here in the North But, yes this is a fab dish to serve at any time!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is absolutely amazing!! A sure hit in my house!
Jacqui says
Thanks Toni! We love this lasagna! It’s so full of flavour and pretty easy to make!
Tristin Rieken says
Yum!! That fresh pasta looks divine and I love the use of white sauce with the lamb. Delish!
Jacqui says
Grazie Tristin!! I love using fresh pasta when I make lasagna. It tastes better and doesn’t need to be precooked so win win!
Melissa says
I love this twist on the classic Italian Lasagne. Looks delicious.
Jacqui says
Thank you Melissa! This is a fabulous alternative lasagna recipe, especially for lamb lovers!
Taylor Kiser says
So cozy and delicious! This is an impressive dinner!
Jacqui says
Aww thanks a lot Taylor! Yes this is a fabulous dish to serve for lunch or dinner, especially on special occasions or holidays!