Slow Cooked Lamb and Goat’s Cheese Ragu – 12sp
I get lots of requests for slow cooker recipes so, with Autumn in full swing and winter on its way, I thought it was about time I got another on the go. I love a good ragu….rich, meaty and divine smelling, it makes the most wonderful dinner when added to a good pasta. This week, having spotted some extra lean diced lamb in Sainsbury’s, I thought I would create a nice healthy lamb ragu dish. I add some goat’s cheese at the end for a creamy, indulgent twist however if you want to keep the points lower you can omit the goat’s cheese and it would be 10sp per serving. Alternatively you can replace it with 120g light feta cheese and the dish would remain 12sp.
It may seem a bit strange to sprinkle the dish with mint at the end, and don’t worry too much if you don’t have any but it does add the most lovely fresh end to the dish. And who doesn’t love a good lamb and mint combo!!
Lamb and Goat’s Cheese Ragu
Serves 4 = 12sp per person (Flex)
Ingredients
2 onions, peeled and chopped
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
3 red peppers, deseeded and diced
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
450g extra lean diced lamb (I got mine in Sainsbury’s as this is the leanest one I could find)
1 tsp each cumin and oregano
½ tsp each cinnamon and crushed chillies
125ml glass of red wine
2 tbsp tomato puree
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 chicken (or veggie) stock cube (made up with 500ml boiling water)
1 bay leaf
Large bag of spinach, roughly shredded
200g pasta of your choice, dried
80g goats cheese, roughly torn up/chopped
Tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
Method
Take a large saucepan, spray with 1kal and add the onions, garlic, pepper and carrot, frying on a medium heat until they start to soften (around 10 minutes – add a little water if the pan gets too dry). Remove the veggies from the pan and pop onto a plate to one side.
Next, spray the pan with a little more 1kal and then add the diced lamb with the cumin, cinnamon and oregano and fry the lamb until browned (this should take 10-12 minutes). Add the veggies back to the pan and then add the wine and simmer for another few minutes (until the alcohol has burned off and the liquid has almost evaporated).
Add the tomato puree, stir and simmer for another 2 minutes and then add the chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, stock, bay leaf and crushed chillies.
Season to taste, bring to a boil and then cover with a lid and then either:
- pop in the oven on 150c for 2 hours (the lamb should soften nicely and the sauce will thicken and smell divine) or;
- pop in the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Cook the pasta for the last ten minutes of the lamb simmering.
Once the lamb is nice and soft and the sauce is reduced, remove the bay leaf from the pan and throw in the spinach. Let it wilt for a few minutes. Drain the pasta and toss through the sauce. Top with the roughly torn goats cheese and a sprinkle of mint leaves.
Enjoy!
Just made this for tea tonight was super tasty! Can’t wait to have the rest tomorrow mmmm!
That was truly a fantastic dish as always you are truly a great cook .The whole family love your recipes thank you
Pleased everyone liked it Christine!
Hi I have just made the ragu. It was delicious. Tastiest dinner I’ve had in ages
Glad you liked it Carol!!!
I don’t like lamb, so could I make this with beef?
Hi Adele, yes of course!! It would work just as well ?
Due to the current climate, every piece of food counts so I made this with left over lamb and fresh tomatoes, as tinned are like gold dust. Cooked it all on the stove . It was lovely. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Sally! Xx
With the current energy crisis I’ve re-found my slow cooker. So I was pleased to find this delicious recipe! Any further ones would be appreciated.
Made this many times but I put a bit of mint sauce in with the spinach before serving up…..delicious