Angela's Italian Recipe for Rigatoni with Braised Lamb Ragu

Rigatoni with Braised Lamb Ragu'
(Rigatoni con Ragu di Agnello Brasati)


Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 6 lamb shanks (each about 3/4 lb) 2 cups chopped onions 1 lb small button mushrooms, halved 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper 1/2 cup dry white wine 3 cups beef stock or beef broth 1 and 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in puree 1 and 1/4 lbs rigatoni pasta Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325° F. Heat olive oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over high heat. Sprinkle lamb shanks with salt and pepper. Add to pot and brown on all sides, about 12 minutes. Transfer lamb shanks to platter. Add onions, mushrooms, garlic, basil, rosemary and crushed red pepper to pot and saute until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Return lamb to pot. Add wine and boil until liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Add 3 cups beef stock and tomatoes to pot; return to boil. Cover pot, transfer to oven and bake until lamb is tender, about 1 and 1/2 hours. Using tongs, transfer lamb to large bowl. Cool 10 minutes. Cut meat off bones into generous 1/2-inch pieces (discard bones). Return meat to sauce.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold; cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm over medium-low heat before continuing.) Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until 'al dente'. Drain well. Transfer pasta to large serving bowl. Spoon sauce over pasta. Serve, passing Parmigiano cheese separately. Serves 6.

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