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Rustic Slow-Pulled Lamb Ragù with Spicy ‘Nduja, Pecorino, and Fresh Mint

A hearty, slow-cooked lamb ragù with a spicy kick from ‘nduja, finished with pecorino and fresh mint.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 lbs lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 oz 'nduja sausage
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • For serving: cooked pasta, grated pecorino cheese, fresh mint leaves

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add lamb chunks in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Add 'nduja sausage and break it up with a spoon, cooking for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in red wine and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until wine reduces by half, about 5 minutes.
  5. Return lamb to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 2–3 hours, until lamb is fork-tender.
  6. Remove lid and shred lamb with two forks directly in the pot. Discard bay leaf. Cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes to thicken the sauce if desired.
  7. Serve over cooked pasta, topped with grated pecorino and fresh mint.

Notes

This ragù can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; flavors deepen overnight.

  • Author: Chef Stella
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Method: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Protein: 48 g