Lamb Ragu Pappardelle for the table

This hearty Lamb Ragu Pappardelle recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Thick, wide pappardelle noodles are coated with a rich, savory ground lamb ragu sauce.

When we're in the thick of comfort food season, there's nothing more We love than a big huge pot of pasta with a thick, hearty, stick-to-your-ribs sauce.

Enter Lamb Ragu Pappardelle.

A rich, savory sauce is tossed with wide ribbons of pappardelle pasta that perfectly soaks up all the tasty flavors. The deep flavors of lamb, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs create a meal that feels cozy and indulgent.

This dish is a great option for fall and winter family dinners because it's comforting, flavorful, and simple enough to make at home. At the same time, it's elegant enough to serve at dinner parties and gatherings if you're entertaining guests.

If you're looking for the ultimate cozy and comforting pasta dish, this Lamb Ragu Pappardelle recipe is it!

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🌟 Why this recipe works

This Lamb Ragu Pappardelle is a must-try for fall and winter dinners. It's hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make!

You'll love this recipe because it's:

Simple yet impressive: While it sounds gourmet, lamb ragu is relatively simple to prepare. So it's a great choice for home cooks looking to impress without a lot of fuss.
Warm and comforting: The combination of ground lamb, hearty tomatoes, and slow-simmered herbs creates a rich sauce that's perfect for chilly fall and winter nights.
Make-ahead option: This dish only gets better with time, so you can prepare the ragu ahead of time, making dinner even easier to serve.
Flexible serving options: Pair with pappardelle or your favorite pasta. Use other ground meats or cuts of lamb instead of ground lamb.

🛒 Ingredient notes

Pappardelle: This wide, long pasta shape holds the rich sauce so well. But you can also use other long pasta shapes, such as fettuccine or linguini.
Ground lamb: This is the star of the dish, offering a rich meaty flavor that pairs beautifully with the tomatoes and herbs. Ground lamb is easier to work with than traditional cuts and allows for quicker cooking while still delivering deep flavor.
Tomatoes: Use a combination of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste for a well-rounded sauce. The crushed tomatoes give body, while the paste adds richness.
Mirepoix: The classic mirepoix trio of ingredients – carrots, celery, onions – are the flavor base of this dish. Plus, of course, lots of garlic!
Broth: Use beef broth (either homemade or store-bought) as the flavorful liquid that infuses the lamg ragu with big, rich, depth of flavor.
Herbs: Thyme and bay leaves are essential for enhancing the earthy flavors of the lamb. Don't skip these!
Red wine: A splash of red wine adds depth to the sauce, balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the lamb.
Olive oil: Use a high quality extra-virgin olive oil to sauté the mirepoix + garlic, and to brown the lamb.
Salt & pepper: Use kosher salt and ground black pepper to season to taste.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

You'll find more detailed instructions as well as the full list of ingredients with measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here are some step-by-step photos for the fellow visual learners out there!

Heat oil in a large skillet, cast iron pan, or non-stick pan. Add the carrots, celery, and onions. Saute until the veggies are soft.
Add the garlic and sauté, stirring, for 1 more minute.
Add the tomato paste, stir.

Add the ground lamb and cook, using the wooden spoon to break apart the meat as it cooks.

Add the beef broth, then the crushed tomatoes. Stir.
Add in the bay leaves and thyme leaves. We like to tie these into a little bundle using kitchen twine. This makes it easier to fish them out before serving.

While the ragu sauce is cooking, cook the pappardelle pasta in a large pot filled with boiling water.
When the ragu sauce has thickened, remove the bundle of herbs.

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce.
Stir in the noodles to fully coat them with the sauce and cook all together for simply a few minutes. Serve.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

Can We use a different pasta other than pappardelle?

Yes! While pappardelle's wide noodles are perfect for soaking up the sauce, you can substitute it with other pasta like tagliatelle or fettuccine. Even rigatoni works well for a different texture.

Can We make this lamb ragu ahead of time?

Absolutely. In fact, the flavors improve when the ragu sits for a day or two. Simply refrigerate and reheat on the stovetop when ready to serve. We LOVE leftovers of this dish!

What can We use instead of ground lamb?

While lamb gives the ragu its distinct, rich flavor, you can substitute ground beef, pork, or even a mixture of the two. Keep in mind, the flavor profile will be slightly different.

Can We freeze this dish?

Yes! Store in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bags in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.

🍽 Serving ideas

This is such a wonderful hearty meal in the fall or winter, but we truly enjoy it year-round. Here are some of the favorite ways to serve this yummy pasta dish:

With a fresh salad: Serve your Lamb Ragu Pappardelle with a simple arugula salad to balance the richness of the dish.
Add some garlic bread: Crispy garlic bread is a perfect accompaniment for soaking up any extra sauce.
With roasted vegetables: Add some roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots for a seasonal vegetable side.

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

You will most definitely want to pair this lamb ragu pappardelle with a big, bold, dry red wine. The two wine pairing picks:

Chianti: The earthy and slightly tart notes of a Chianti are the perfect match for the savory lamb and tomato-based ragu.

Syrah: For something a bit bolder, a Syrah's dark fruit and peppery undertones complement the richness of the lamb, enhancing the overall flavors of the dish.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

Large pot for pasta
Cast iron enameled pan for the sauce
Wooden spoon

More pasta recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!