Dinner

Greek Lamb & Macaroni Bake Recipe

Name: Greek Lamb & Macaroni Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 500g lean lamb mince; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 beef or lamb stock cube, crumbled; 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 400g macaroni; 250g tub ricotta; 50g Parmesan, grated (divided); 50ml milk; Garlic bread, to serve

ByNoah Steele November 22, 2025November 22, 2025

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Introduction

This Greek lamb and macaroni bake is a comforting, hearty dish combining rich spiced lamb with creamy ricotta pasta. It’s perfect for a family dinner or when you want something filling and flavorful that’s easy to prepare.

The image shows a white square baking dish filled with a golden brown baked macaroni and cheese casserole, with small browned spots on the top layer of melted cheese and crispy pasta. Next to the dish, there is a stack of white plates, one plate served with a scoop of the macaroni and cheese casserole topped with a layer of reddish-brown meat sauce, accompanied by a lightly browned slice of bread. In front of the plates, there is a white folded cloth napkin holding four silver forks. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed
500g lean lamb mince

1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 beef or lamb stock cube

2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp dried oregano
400g macaroni

250g tub ricotta
50g parmesan, grated
50ml milk

Garlic bread, to serve (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 2: Add the lamb mince to the pan, increase the heat, and brown it thoroughly while breaking it up with a wooden spoon.

Step 3: Stir in the ground cinnamon, crumbled stock cube, chopped tomatoes, and dried oregano. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, then uncover and cook for another 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes reduce.
Step 4: Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain well once cooked.
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6).

Step 6: In a bowl, combine the ricotta, most of the grated parmesan, milk, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix this into the cooked macaroni.
Step 7: Transfer the lamb mixture to a large baking dish. Spoon the macaroni and ricotta mixture over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Serve hot, optionally with garlic bread.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine to the lamb sauce while it simmers.
Swap lamb for beef mince if preferred, though the cinnamon gives the lamb version its distinct taste.
Try mixing in some chopped spinach or zucchini with the macaroni for added vegetables.

Use a mix of parmesan and pecorino cheese for a sharper topping.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C until warmed through to retain the crispy topping, or microwave for quicker reheating. This bake can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A white square baking dish filled with a layered pasta casserole topped with a golden, slightly crispy macaroni and cheese layer. Next to it, stacked white plates each hold a serving of the casserole, showing a bottom layer of thick tomato meat sauce visible under the creamy yellow macaroni. A piece of light brown bread is placed on the top plate. In front of the plates, there are four silver forks laid on a white cloth napkin, all on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the lamb sauce and macaroni mixture separately, then assemble and bake just before serving. Assembling everything and refrigerating overnight allows the flavors to meld well.