Slow Cooker Lamb and Pasta

Asked by Dee.g. Answered on 31st May 2014

Full question

Hi, I'd love to try out the Slow-Cooker Lamb And Pasta recipe but I don't have a slow cooker. Could I do it with an oven safe pot with a heavy lid in the oven? I also have a 'plate warmer' section in my cooker which the manual said could double as a slow cooker but I have never tried it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Our answer

Nigella's Slow-Cooker Lamb And Pasta (on the Nigella website) should be able to be adapted for conventional cooking methods and we would suggest using a cast iron casserole dish (Dutch oven) with a tightly fitting lid. It may be possible to use the warming drawer of your oven but we suggest that you follow the instructions in your handbook.

Alternatively you should be able to put the pot into an oven preheated to 160c/325F and let it cook for 2 hours. After this add the pasta, adding some extra water if the meat mixture looks too dry (remembering that the pasta will absorb some liquid), and return to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pasta is cooked. You should also be able to cook the dish on the stove, covered and at a gentle simmer, for about 1 hour. Then add the pasta, re-cover and cook for a further 20 to 25 minutes, until the pasta is cooked.