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Home » Italy's Regions » Molise » Pasta with Lamb Ragu Molisano

March 25, 2018

Pasta with Lamb Ragu Molisano

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Rigatoni Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano.

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano in white bowl

Rigatoni con Ragu Molisano.

This tasty and hearty lamb ragu Molisano is actually made with three kinds of meat, lamb, sausage and veal. These types of ragu are very popular in the Southern Italian regions, especially Abruzzo, Calabria, Puglia and Molise, where this recipe originates. Of course, there are many versions of mixed meat ragu. Not all have lamb and not all contain sausage or veal. And some of these mixed meat pasta sauces have 4 kinds of meat in them.

(Click to go straight to recipe and leave feedback)

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano close up in white bowl

When I first moved to Northern Italy I was pretty disappointed to find that lamb isn’t a big thing here. (I know I say this every time I post a lamb pasta recipe). Anyway, apart from the fact that I really missed my Sunday roast lamb and lamb curry, I guess I got used to my practically lamb-less diet. (except for the occasional lamb chops on the grill).

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano ingredients

After I started this blog in 2016, I decided that I HAD to make some pasta with lamb recipes as these are very traditional in Sardinia and the Southern Italian regions. I discovered that most lamb ragu recipes don’t use minced lamb but lamb meat cut into small pieces. I experimented by cutting the meat off large chops and was thrilled that the results were really good! Plus, I use the bones to make a stock which adds real flavour to the ragu! So, if lamb is hard to find where you live this solution could work for you. If you’re lucky enough to find lamb easily, then boneless shoulder is the best cut for ragu.

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano chopped vegetables in white bowl

Different lamb ragu recipes.

There are a number of lamb ragu recipes that only include lamb and no other meat, like my other recipe from Molise for fusilli with lamb. If the meat is only lamb, the ragu takes less time to cook. However, mixed meat sauces, like in this recipe for lamb ragu Molisano, need to be simmered for longer so that all the meat gets really soft and tender and the flavours really come out.

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano meat cooking in frying pan

This lamb ragu Molisano needs to be cooked for at least 2 hours so, it’s not a quick throw together meal. In Italy, mixed meat pasta sauces are often referred to as ‘sugo alla domenica’, meaning Sunday sauce. This is not only because of the time needed to prepare the sauce, but also because these are rich and heavy sauces best eaten at lunch rather than in the evening!

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano sauce in frying pan

The pasta.

In Molise, lamb ragu Molisano would normally be served with a homemade cavatelli pasta or crioli which is similar to spaghetti alla chitarra from neighbouring Abruzzo, or perhaps with fusilli. I served it with rigatoni. However, you can use most short pastas or thicker long pasta.

Pasta with Lamb ragu Molisano rigatoni pasta and sauce in frying pan

Sunday sauce!

In many parts of Italy ‘Sunday sauce’ was, and still is, served with homemade pasta. Consequently, the tradition of preparing Sunday lunch involves quite a lot of work, but it is a job that many Italian families enjoy and do together. Not only do they all sit down to eat together but they often prepare the meal as a group , which is how older generations pass recipes and cooking skills on to the younger members of the family! I so love these traditions, don’t you? However, you can also make this ragu a day or two before and keep it in the fridge. Then you only have to reheat it and cook the pasta shortly before serving. That way you’ll have more time to enjoy an aperitif with your guests!

Buon appetito!

(go to the next page to see the recipe. Just scroll down and click 2)

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

Filed Under: Meat Pasta Dishes, Molise, Rigatoni Tagged With: lamb, meat pasta, Molise, rigatoni

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Scott Mabrito says

    September 24, 2019 at 3:20 pm

    Hi-is the pork sausage a basic seasoned sausage or an Italian sausage? I’m writing from the U.S. so am hoping you know what we would use here. Thank you,Scott

    Reply
    • Jacqui says

      September 24, 2019 at 9:11 pm

      Hi Scott! Thank you for your comment. Yes normally we would use Italian sausages for this recipe. However, if you can’t find those you can use basic seasoned pork sausages. Do let me know how the recipe turns out if you make it. All the best from Verona!

      Reply
  2. Amy Nash says

    March 28, 2018 at 9:12 pm

    I love, love, love lamb but have never had it in a ragu! This sounds absolutely wonderful and totally my kind of cooking on a weekend when I’m not rushed and can just enjoy the process, especially if my family is around hanging out. I think it’s so special that this is how so many families learned to cook and it’s getting lost! I hope I can pass it on to my girls.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 03, 2018 at 3:08 pm

      Hi Amy, hope you had a lovely Easter. If you love lamb, you’ll definitely love it as a ragu with pasta! I agree different generations cooking together is what keeps traditions alive and how recipes and cooking skills get passed down. It’s also such a lovely way to spend time with ones family!

      Reply
  3. Aleka says

    March 28, 2018 at 8:19 pm

    How can you go wrong with THREE kinds of meat?! This sounds amazing and I Love lamb so it’s def a winner!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 03, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you Aleka, yes the combination of meats make this a really rich and tasty ragu. I love these kinds of pasta sauces, especially for special occasions! All the best from Verona. Jacqui

      Reply
  4. Melve says

    March 28, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    I Love Your Pasta recipes! They are amazing and delicious!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 03, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you so much Melve. I’m really thrilled you like my recipes so much! Love from Verona! Jacqui

      Reply

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Buon giorno and welcome to my pasta project! My name is Jacqui. I’m originally a Londoner but in 2003 life’s journey brought me to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy where… Read More

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