This lamb and rosemary mac with pecorino and feta crumb topping recipe combines tender lamb, fragrant rosemary, creamy pasta, and a golden pecorino and feta crumb topping for the ultimate comfort food.
It's a Delia Smith recipe from the October 2019 UK Delicious magazine…there was a special feature ‘Delia Celebrates 50 Years’. Unfortunately, the recipe isn’t coming up on the website, so I can’t share the link – sorry!
We LOVE mac and cheese (who doesn’t…!?!) and also lamb, so when I saw this recipe combining the two, it was definitely one I needed to make, and we really weren’t disappointed. It's absolutely delicious and so very much worth the time and effort.
Go on...give it a try!
Tips
- Vegetarian option - replace the lamb with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or roasted aubergine for a rich, meat-free version.
- Gluten-free option - use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Cheese options - mix parmesan or gruyere with the pecorino and feta for added depth.
- This lamb and rosemary mac with pecorino and feta crumb topping recipe is easily halved if you're cooking for less people.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes - assemble the dish without baking, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving for the best results.
Absolutely - freeze the assembled dish (without the crumb topping) for up to 3 months. Add the topping just before baking.
Short pasta shapes like macaroni, penne, or rigatoni work best as they hold the sauce and bake evenly.
Keep an eye on the dish during the last few minutes of baking. Cover with foil if it starts to brown too quickly.
Yes - beef, turkey, or chicken can replace lamb. Adjust the seasoning to match the flavour profile.
Serve with roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, or a side of garlic bread for a complete meal.
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How to make this Lamb and Rosemary Mac with Pecorino and Feta Crumb Topping
Ingredients
For the lamb and rosemary ragu:
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1kg boneless lamb shoulder, diced
- 900ml tomato passata
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 0.5 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 anchovy fillets in oil, drained
- 2 red chillies, finely chopped (I leave the seeds in!)
For the macaroni and cheese:
- 250g macaroni pasta
- 50g unsalted butter
- 35g plain flour
- 600ml milk (I use semi-skimmed)
- 100g pecorino, finely grated
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 100g feta, crumbled
- 30g panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Make the ragu first - heat the oil in a flameproof casserole over a high heat. Season the lamb and add it to the casserole. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning until browned all over. Then add the passata, 3 of the rosemary sprigs, fennel seeds, garlic, anchovies and chopped chilli. Season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 2 hours or until lamb is tender.
- Once the lamb is cooked, turn off the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
- Cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the packet, drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce for the macaroni - melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, then gradually add the milk and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the macaroni and 50g of the pecorino. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste.
- Top the ragu in the casserole with the macaroni and cheese (starting in the centre and working your way out to the edges), then scatter over the feta, panko breadcrumbs, the leaves from the remaining rosemary sprig and the remaining 50g of pecorino.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy with some authentic focaccia…and look forward to the leftovers, if there are any!!
Serving Suggestions
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Lamb and Rosemary Mac with Pecorino and Feta Crumb Topping
Ingredients
For the lamb and rosemary ragu:
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) boneless lamb shoulder diced
- 900 ml (4 cups) tomato passata
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 0.5 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 4 anchovy fillets in oil drained
- 2 red chillies finely chopped (I leave the seeds in!)
For the macaroni and cheese:
- 250 g (2 ⅓ cups) macaroni pasta
- 50 g (3 ½ tbsp) unsalted butter
- 35 g (⅓ cup) plain flour
- 600 ml (2 ½ cups) milk (I use semi-skimmed)
- 100 g (1 cups) pecorino finely grated
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 100 g (¾ cups) feta crumbled
- 30 g (2 tbsp) panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Make the ragu first - heat the oil in a flameproof casserole over a high heat. Season the lamb and add it to the casserole. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning until browned all over. Then add the passata, 3 of the rosemary sprigs, fennel seeds, garlic, anchovies and chopped chilli. Season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 2 hours or until lamb is tender.
- Once lamb is cooked, turn off the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
- Cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the packet, drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce for the macaroni - melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, then gradually add the milk and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the macaroni and 50g of the pecorino. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste.
- Top the ragu in the casserole with the macaroni and cheese (starting in the centre and working your way out to the edges), then scatter over the feta, panko breadcrumbs, the leaves from the remaining rosemary sprig and the remaining 50g of pecorino.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy with some authentic focaccia…and look forward to the leftovers, if there are any!!
Notes
- Vegetarian option - replace the lamb with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or roasted aubergine for a rich, meat-free version.
- Gluten-free option - use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Cheese options - mix parmesan or gruyere with the pecorino and feta for added depth.
- This lamb and rosemary mac with pecorino and feta crumb topping recipe is easily halved if you're cooking for less people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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