Rich and tender lamb in velvety red tomato sauce coated over beautiful pappardelle pasta. Instant Pot Lamb Ragu is simple to make and full of bold, comfort food flavors!
Break out the house pants my friends, we be gettin' cozy. It's comfort food time, and in this house that means pasta. Instant Pot Lamb Ragu with Pappardelle is about to go down.
If you and I are the same - which I think maybe there are some things that we are the same on because, well hello, you're here. (And I love you for it). But anyways, if we're the same then pasta is a soul food. Like you feel it's goodness in your heart first and then your belly.
In my mind, pasta could solve world peace. Good pasta. The kind that when you take a bite you have to close your eyes because there is just SO. MUCH. GOOD.
Well, pasta would be solving the world peace problem if it wasn't in a food coma laying on the couch because it was lathered up with rich, full flavored lamb ragu. Guess we will have to work on that world peace thing ourselves.
Go change your pants
But first, go change your pants. No really. We're talking, stretchy waist bands, cozy material, where-are-my-slippers kind of outfit change.
Not only is this Instant Pot Lamb Ragu the epitome of cold weather comfort food, it's also superbly easy.
My sister once compared her feelings for the Instant Pot to how people must have felt when the dishwasher was invented. Like, 'where have you been all my life? I can now do the 5,000 other things on my to do list.'
Whether that's laundry, errands, or sitting on the couch binging Netflix - I'll take option number 3 please. We all have different priorities depending on the day. The I.P. is here to help you prioritize....prioritize this Lamb Ragu right in your belly.
Why should you make Instant Pot Lamb Ragu? In case you need convincing here are the major points:
- Normally tough cuts of meat, the pressure of the instant pot seriously tenderizes the lamb chops making it fall right off the bone. The same falling off goodness can happen on the stove top, dutch oven style over a longer period of time.
- One pan sauce - braise, cook and just add pasta
- Rich flavors laced throughout the sauce
- Lamb adds great flavor but not a ton of fat
Just assemble and cook
You like things that are easy right? Of course its nice to make a fancy pants meal that requires a day in the kitchen and all that, but since we're already in our sweat pants we're not jumping on that train. We're all aboard the easy meal train.
The best cut for this dish is the lamb loin chop. These beauts right here.
Use the sauté setting to brown the chops then remove them to a plate. Since we've got all those delicious drippings in there we'll sauté the onions and garlic to trap the goodness.
If there's brown bits on the bottom from the lamb, no sweat. Thats what the wine is for. Pour that in and scrape them off as it bubbles.
You guys, you're almost done. ALREADY. The hard part is over.
Just add the lamb and any drippings back to the pan, the remaining ingredients, and let the instant pot do its magic. After cooking remove the bones and gently shred the meat.
Looking for more delicious red sauce pasta recipes? Try these!
- Cheesy Sausage and Peppers Pasta Bake
- Mozzarella Meatballs with Fresh Linguine
- Fresh Herb Lasagna Bolognese
- Garlicky Diced Tomato Sauce with Black Bean Pasta
Instant Pot Lamb Ragu with Pappardelle
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 ½ pounds lamb loin chops
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ⅓ cup dry red wine
- 1 24-ounce jar tomato basil sauce (the Raos brand is my favorite)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon double concentrate tomato paste (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound pappardelle pasta
- additional salt and pepper for seasoning
- romano cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Season + Sear: Remove the lamb from the packaging and pat with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in the instant pot on normal 'Sauté'. Once the oil is shimmering, sear the lamb on both sides until brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the pot to a plate while you build the sauce.
- Sauté + Combine: Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the onions are soften and shiny. Deglaze the pot with the red wine and scrape any bits of meat that might have stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the jarred tomato sauce to the pot then add the water to the jar. With the lid on the jar, shake to get any remaining sauce out of the jar and pour into the pot. Add tomato paste, salt, peppers to the pot and stir to combine. Return the lamb and any drippings on the plate back to the pot.
- Cook: Seal the pot with the lid and set the steam valve to 'sealing' position. Using the 'meat/stew' option cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. After cooking, let the instant pot naturally decrease pressure for 10 minutes before venting. Once vented remove the lid. Towards the end of the cooking process bring a large pot of salted water to boil on the stove top. Cook pappardelle pasta to the package instructions for 'al dente' pasta.
- Toss + Plate: Using tongs, remove the lamb from the sauce and pull the meat apart into small bite sized pieces. Discard the bones and return the meat and any drippings back to the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Plate and serve with fresh grated romano cheese.
Notes
- Use 2 tablespoons if the tomato paste is not double concentrate.
Nutrition
Houston James says
If you double this recipe do you still only cook for 35 minutes or do you have to add time? Thanks!
Lauren says
Hi James! I think we conversed via email, but just incase....you do not need to increase the time. The Instant Pot will take longer to reach pressure though. As always, just don't exceed the 2/3 max of whichever IP model you're using. Thanks!
Ruchi says
Lovely warming and comforting dish, for a cold winter evening and suitable for any pasta and meat lover!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
This looks like the perfect comfort food on a cold night like tonight! I need to get an instant pot asap!
Jackie @ The Seaside Baker says
OMG my mouth is watering! This looks like the PERFECT meal and it's made in the IP!?!? Cant wait to make this for our next date night. I'll let my husband believe I slaved over this all day.
Lauren says
your secret is safe with me!!
Nicole says
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe! Last week I shared a Pasta Bolognese recipe and I absolutely think pappardelle would go well with that. But I have to try this recipe o yours. Your photos are awesome!
Lauren says
thank you! Pappardelle is my faaaavorite pasta shape!
Michele says
Wowza! This is getting pinned and made ASAP! Perfection on a plate in my book. I don't usually make lamb, but this is making my mouth water!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
I finally got an instant pot a few months ago and am always looking for new things to make it in. This sounds like one I need to try!
Karyl Henry says
My mouth is absolutely watering looking at this dish! I don't cook with lamb often enough, even though I do love it. And I just happen to have some lamb in the freezer! I'm seriously making this dish ASAP
Tammy says
Now this is total comfort food! What a beautiful plate...hearty and delicious for the coming fall/winter months. I'd love to dig right in!
Kiki Johnson says
We had a similar dish in Tuscany made with wild boar meat and as we love it, I am pretty sure this version with lamb would go down a treat as well! I will defs bookmark it! It looks too good!
Lauren says
yum boar sounds like it would be fantastic!
prasanna hede says
This loooks soooo good! loved the clicks and I am getting pappardelle now!Will save this.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
This looks like the coziest meal! I love the texture of this ragu and I love that it is made with lamb. It sounds just amazing!
Aleta says
Yes please! Wow, this pasta dish looks absolutely incredible. I love your choice ingredients and your photography is absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Emily Leary says
I'm with you - I love home made or fresh, shop bought pappardelle pasta and this dish looks utterly delicious!
Sherri says
LOL! I think I feel that way your sister does about my food processor! I recently got an instant pot (given to me by my mother-in-law because she couldn't figure out how to use it) and I have yet to try it out! Guess I better get on that! Anyway, this dish is absolutely stunning! Yum!
Lauren says
the food processor is clutch too!!!