lamb ragu with gnocchi and herbs
Recipes

Lamb Ragu with Gnocchi and Herbs
Try cooking this recipe on the slow cooker option: simply add lamb to slow cooker after browning. Follow recipe until Step 5: pour over sauce lamb necks and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours.
Ingredients
- 1kg lamb necks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 2 cups (500mls) salt reduced vegetable stock
- 400g can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup (125mls) red wine
- 2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley, extra to garnish
- 20g butter
- 500g packet potato gnocchi
- 40g grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 175◦C. Rub oil into the lamb, season lamb well and dust with flour. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook lamb, turning occasionally, for 5-7 minutes. Place lamb in an ovenproof casserole dish.
- Heat remaining oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion cook for 3-5 minutes or until soft and golden. Add celery, carrots, oregano and basil. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are golden.
- Add stock to the pan. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, cook for 5 minutes. Add to the casserole dish.
- Cover with baking paper and foil. Cook in oven for 3 hours. or until lamb is tender and falling off the bone. Meanwhile, cook gnocchi according to packet directions. Drain well.
- Transfer lamb to a heatproof bowl and coarsely shred, discarding bones. Return lamb to sauce. Season, add parsley and stir to combine.
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add butter, cook for 3 minutes or until melted. Add gnocchi and cook, tossing, for 3-5 minutes or until golden and heated through.
- Serve ragu on gnocchi with extra parsley and parmesan cheese.