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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cook the macaroni: While the sauce simmers, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/Gas mark 6 in preparation for baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- 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
