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    Home » Meat » Lamb Recipes » Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin

    Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin

    Mar 13, 2016 · by Valentina · 18 Comments

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    Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin is a one-pan meal that's hearty and rich. Packed with warm flavors, it's comfort food at its finest. This is definitely one of the best ground lamb and mushroom recipes ever!Spiced Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin -- This one-pan meal is rich, hearty, packed with warm flavors and is comfort food at its finest!

    Imagine, if you will, the most scrumptious macaroni and cheese ever . . .

    Now imagine, adding to it tender ground lamb with delicious warming spices, onions and mushrooms caramelized to perfection -- all simmered first in a tomato-wine sauce.

    Keep the scenario going, and now picture all of this deliciousness beneath a crispy bread and cheese crust.

    One Pan Meal

    All made in one pan, you can share this comforting, cozy meal with 8 guests!

    Every bite includes a variety of textures; mushroom and ground lamb recipes always offer up a ton of hearty flavor.

    caramelized mushrooms in a saute pan

    Gratin refers to a technique in which ingredients are topped with a browned crust, typically made of breadcrumbs, grated cheese, and butter, or a combination thereof.

    This Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin recipe is topped with a mixture of cheeses, breadcrumbs and a drizzle of olive oil.

    What's in this recipe?

    • olive oil
    • onion
    • garlic
    • Crimini mushrooms
    • ground lamb
    • cinnamon, oregano, allspice and cloves
    • fresh thyme
    • tomatoes
    • red wine
    • penne pasta
    • Asiago and Fontina cheeses
    • breadcrumbs

    How hungry does reading that list make you!? 😉 

    Recipe Tips

    • Gluten-free? You can make this dish gluten-free using brown rice gluten-free Penne and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
    • You can also use any pasta shape you like.

    Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin is a true comfort food.

    What makes a comfort food a comfort food?  Find out here and get more of my favorite comforting recipes (pictured below).

    Photo grid of top 20 Comfort Food dishes

    I hope you enjoy this delicious Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin as much as my family and I do. 

    Spiced Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin -- This one-pan meal is rich, hearty, packed with warm flavors and is comfort food at its finest!

    Spiced Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    Ground Lamb and Mushroom Penne Gratin is a one-pan meal that's hearty and rich. Packed with warm flavors, it's comfort food at its finest. This is definitely one of the best ground lamb and mushroom recipes ever!
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 1 hr
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 470 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • olive oil for the pan and for drizzling
    • 2 cups yellow onion, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
    • 3 cups Crimini mushrooms washed and dried, roughly chopped
    • 1¼ pound ground lamb
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon allspice
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in tomato juice
    • ½ cup dry red wine (Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel)
    • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, washed and dried, finely chopped
    • 3¾ cups cooked Penne pasta (about 2 cups dry)
    • 1 cup grated Asiago cheese, divided
    • 1 cup grated Fontina cheese, divided
    • 1 cup breadcrumbs
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
    • Coat the bottom of a large (approximately 12-inch) oven-safe sauté pan with olive oil. (A cast iron pan is perfect.) Place it over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Cook until the onions are caramelized and soft, about 15 minutes.
    • Add a bit more oil, turn the heat to medium-high and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until they're golden brown, about 15 minutes.
    • Turn the heat back to medium and add the ground lamb, breaking it up into smaller pieces. Cook, stirring from time to time just until it's cooked through, about 7 minutes.
    • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add the cinnamon, oregano, all spice, and cloves. Mix and let this simmer until it's very aromatic, about 30 seconds.
    • Add the tomatoes and wine and stir to blend. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Mix in the fresh thyme and season generously to taste with salt and pepper. (Here's How to Season to Taste.)
    • Add the cooked Penne and ½ cup of each of the two cheeses. Mix so that all of the ingredients are evenly blended together.
    • Combine the remaining ½ cup of each cheese with the bread crumbs and sprinkle this mixture on top. Drizzle the entire surface lightly with olive oil.
    • Place the pan in the preheated 375°F oven for 30 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and serve.
    Keywords unique pasta recipes, comfort food recipes for fall and winter, main courses with lamb
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

     

    Save

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ari Eats

      March 13, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      This looks like a staple to try out as winter is quickly approaching. I'm getting carb cravings already!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 13, 2016 at 6:38 pm

        Awesome. Hope you try it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Mahy

      March 13, 2016 at 6:20 pm

      I love lamb and pasta combined and your recipe looks absolutely scrumptious! It's calling my name! I can't wait to try this, thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 13, 2016 at 6:38 pm

        Thank you! Hope you love it as much as I do! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Elizabeth

      March 14, 2016 at 12:25 am

      Oh my goodness this sounds like utter perfection! I am a big fan of mac and cheese and this takes it to a whole new level. Gorgeous!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 15, 2016 at 8:21 pm

        Thanks so much, Elizabeth. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Diana

      March 14, 2016 at 12:46 am

      Such a gorgeous dish! I will definitely try this sometime soon, I was meant to make a gratin for a while now but never got to it. But adding lamb and mushrooms sounds very delicious

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 15, 2016 at 8:23 pm

        Thanks Diana. Yes, I love lamb and mushrooms together! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sarah

      March 14, 2016 at 3:48 am

      What a gorgeous looking dish!! I'll definitely have to save this recipe and try it out ASAP! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 15, 2016 at 8:24 pm

        Hope you do. Thanks, Sarah!

        Reply
    6. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

      March 14, 2016 at 7:41 am

      With all these rainy days we have been craving comfort food. I'm thinking this would be a great make ahead recipe. Having this flavorful dinner ready to pop in the oven would make for a wonderful day!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 15, 2016 at 8:24 pm

        Deb, I love things like this on a rainy day. You are so right! Enjoy. 🙂

        Reply
    7. David

      March 15, 2016 at 5:35 pm

      Lamb, as you know, is a favorite of mine! And Mark's too. Can't waut to try this - have some ground lamb from a local gardener!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 15, 2016 at 8:26 pm

        How great that you can get lamb from someone you know! Hope you and Mark both love this. (I did!) 😉

        Reply
        • David

          March 19, 2016 at 7:14 am

          This is on tomorrow night's menu! Can't wait!

          Reply
          • valentina

            March 20, 2016 at 12:07 am

            Hope you love it, David! And thank you! 🙂

            Reply
            • David

              December 11, 2016 at 8:10 am

              I meant to get back to you and tell you that this was fantastic, Valentina! Perfect comfort for the soul and chilled desert temperatures! Hope you have a great Christmas!

            • valentina

              December 11, 2016 at 6:03 pm

              Thanks so much for reporting back about this recipe, David. SO HAPPY you enjoyed it! I love this one. 🙂 Happy Holiday's to you & Mark! Cheers! XOXO

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