Greek Lamb & Macaroni Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Greek lamb and macaroni bake is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Combining tender spiced lamb with creamy ricotta and pasta, it’s baked to golden perfection for a delicious meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 500g lean lamb mince
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 beef or lamb stock cube
• 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 400g macaroni
• 250g tub ricotta
• 50g parmesan, grated
• 50ml milk
• Garlic bread, to serve (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the chopped onion. Cook gently for about 10 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute, then add the lamb mince. Increase the heat and brown the lamb, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
3. Step 3: Once browned, stir in the ground cinnamon, crumbled stock cube, chopped tomatoes, and dried oregano. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and simmer for another 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes reduce.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions. Drain well.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan or gas mark 6).
6. Step 6: In a bowl, mix the ricotta, most of the grated parmesan, milk, and season well with salt and pepper. Stir this mixture into the cooked macaroni.
7. Step 7: Tip the lamb mince sauce into a large baking dish, then top evenly with the macaroni and ricotta mixture. Scatter the remaining parmesan over the top.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve hot, optionally with garlic bread.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute lamb mince with beef or turkey for a different flavor.
• Add a handful of chopped fresh spinach or kale to the macaroni mix for extra greens.
• Use crumbled feta instead of ricotta for a sharper, saltier taste.
• For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of red wine during the simmering stage.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or microwave until hot throughout. This bake also freezes well—defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this dish?

Yes, short tubular pasta like penne or rigatoni work well as they hold the sauce nicely, but macaroni is traditional for this bake.

Is it possible to make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the lamb sauce and macaroni mixture separately, then assemble and bake just before serving. This makes it ideal for a stress-free dinner.

Greek Lamb & Macaroni Bake Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 139 reviews

• Author: Luna
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This Greek lamb and macaroni bake is a comforting, hearty casserole combining tender spiced lamb mince with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and cheesy macaroni, baked to bubbly golden perfection. A delicious, family-friendly meal inspired by traditional Mediterranean flavors.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 500g lean lamb mince
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 beef or lamb stock cube, crumbled
• 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp dried oregano

Pasta & Cheese Mixture

• 400g macaroni
• 250g tub ricotta cheese
• 50g parmesan, grated (divided)
• 50ml milk

To Serve (Optional)

• Garlic bread

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the meat sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes until softened. Add the crushed garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
2. Brown the lamb mince: Add the lean lamb mince to the pan, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook until the meat is browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon to avoid lumps.
3. Add spices and liquids: Stir in the ground cinnamon and crumbled stock cube. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and sprinkle in the dried oregano. Mix everything well to combine.
4. Simmer the sauce: Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Then uncover and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes have reduced.
5. Cook the macaroni: While the sauce simmers, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
6. Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/Gas mark 6 in preparation for baking.
7. Make the macaroni cheese mix: In a bowl, combine the ricotta, most of the grated parmesan (reserve some for topping), milk, and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir this mixture thoroughly into the cooked macaroni.
8. Assemble the bake: Transfer the meat sauce into a large baking dish. Spread the macaroni and cheese mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the surface.
9. Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
10. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, optionally alongside garlic bread for an extra comforting meal.

Notes

• You can substitute beef mince if lamb is unavailable, but lamb offers the most authentic flavor.
• For a richer sauce, add a splash of red wine during the simmering stage.
• Use a good quality ricotta for creaminess and flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• To make this dish gluten-free, replace macaroni with gluten-free pasta and ensure the stock cube contains no gluten.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Keywords: Greek lamb bake, macaroni bake, casserole, lamb mince, Mediterranean recipe, baked pasta, comfort food