Whipping up a lovely roast dinner doesn’t have to be only for the weekend, you can also make it a weekday tradition. I love a roast dinner on a Sunday and really enjoy cooking all the different sides to go with the meat (either chicken or lamb) and then face planting myself and feasting on it later. This is normally followed by either a family walk a few hours later or a lazy afternoon on the sofa watching DVDs.
During the week, cooking a massive roast for the family can be a bit much, especially during a busy working week. Mini roasts are delicious joints of beef or lamb that are just smaller, so easy and quick to cook which makes them perfect for a mid-week roast dinner. They are a lovely size for 2 to share, but we found that we managed to stretch our mini lamb joint between the 3 of us with a bit left over.
- 1 x 400-450g/14oz-1lb lean lamb mini roast
- Salt and freshly milled black pepper
- 15-30 ml /1-2tbsp prepared red pesto
- 175 g /6oz pasta shapes
- 30 ml /2tbsp prepared red pesto
- 100 g /4oz cherry tomatoes halved
- Handful baby spinach leaves
- 25 g /1oz pine nuts toasted
- Freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley to garnish
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Preheat the oven to Gas mark 5, 190°C, 375°F.
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Place the mini roast joint on a chopping board and make several slits over the surface and season. Spread with the prepared pesto.
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Transfer to a foil-lined metal rack in a roasting tin and roast and roast for 35-40 minutes. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
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Transfer the lamb to a warm plate; lightly cover with foil and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes, 20 minutes if time allows.
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Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, drain and return the pasta to the pan. Add the remaining pasta ingredients.
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Slice the lamb and serve with the pasta.
Alternatively, why not spread the pesto over a whole or half leg of lamb? Half way during cooking, simply brush the pesto mixture over the joint and continue to roast to your preference.
When shopping for meat, the one thing that I find really helpful is a quality mark like the Red Tractor logo, which means that the meat is traceable from farm to shop. I think it’s always important that to know where your food is coming from and I’m always cautious when buying either beef or lamb.
What I love about mini roasts and as this recipe shows, they’re incredibly versatile and can be sliced and cut to be used in a huge variety of recipes like my Moroccan Lamb Tagine. I couldn’t believe how quick and easy this pasta dish was to make, it’s amazing how simple and good quality ingredients taste so well together. Sometimes, I think we get overwhelmed and throw too many ingredients into one dish, less is definitely more with this one.
For everything you need to know about beef and lamb, more recipe ideas and information about Red Tractor beef and lamb, please visit www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk for more details.
Are roast dinners a weekend only thing for you? Could you be inspired to cook up a mini roast dish like this one?
*Recipe commissioned by Red Tractor, but all opinions are my own.
I loke the odea of mini roasts and I love pesto! During the week I don’t have lots of free time so being able to enjoy a roast that goes quickly is great.
I love mini roasts! We made one last weekend and it was sooo good. Love the idea of serving it with pasta and red pesto.
What a great idea to add a roast dinner to a pasta dish. I love lamb and pesto together!
This sounds like a great idea. Although I’m not a fan of lamb so I’d substitute for chicken or beef, but the overall recipe sounds lovely. Jo x
I love lamb! It’s the deep, intense flavor of lamb that makes this sauce apart from other classic meat sauces.
How cute! Roast and pasta – not seen that before, fab twist!
This looks so delicious. I like the small roast idea. Decreases wastage too. I love love lamb too. Pinning this for later
Oh I could just eat this right now, sounds and looks delicious. Lamb is a huge favourite in our house x
Okay this just made my mouth water! I’m book marking this post and I’m making this for Sunday dinner!!
Looks delicious, I do like how you do your portions look fulfilling but not overwhelming x
I love mini roasts, but with a vegan meat (as I am vegan) – I really fancy one now!
I love lamb roasts – I tend to buy the butterflied leg as it it is quite small and cooks quickly which makes it a perfect weekday option. This dish is making me super hungry right now – can’t beat a hearty pasta recipe!
This sounds like a really nice way to use lamb mini roast. I’d be happy to have this any night of the week!
Oh lamb with pasta sounds really good, love the look of this for dinner x
If i could do mini roasts during the week I would so love to cook one up. I am starting to like lamb so this could be the next lamb recipe i try
I’m really liking the sound of a red pesto and lamb combo – must try this out!
I don’t lamb but seems like a recipe I could use but swap for something like chicken 🙂
My dad would love this so I might have to make it for him x
Oh wow! This looks so delicious. I’m definitely making it soon 🙂
I tend to wait for the weekends for roast dinners but I#m tempted to do one mid week now – thanks for sharing x
There is only me and one other person living in my home so mini roasts are perfect for us! This dish looks great!
I used to think I didn’t like lamb but I’m choosing more and more often now in restaurants. So tasty. This looks like a really hearty healthy recipe!
Oh yummy! I love red pesto, it’s so good.
Mmmm this looks so good! We’re big fans of locally grown lamb in our house (in fact, I have two whole ones in my freezer for the winter!)
This is seriously delicious! I love the look of this and will be making this. xx
Lamb is my favourite meat so I’ll have to try this out xx
This sounds delicious! We’re big fans of green pesto buy have yet to try red pesto flavours. Yummy
Its just made me hungry, very delicious. Can I come your home to taste it? Good combination pasta with lamb. Too good.
This looks lovely, will have to make it one day for a nice change then the usuals
Oh wow this looks absolutely delicious. Lamb is super tasting and definitely a home comfort food xxx
I am definetly going to try this as I love lamb and pesto. Would never have thought to combine it with the pasta!
Yummy as always! I love the idea of a pesto with the roast meat!
Hey Jemma,
Lamb and pesto isn’t a combination that I have thought of before, but it sounds delicious. It looks cry comforting too.
Just did a post myself on this. We created a beef pie with a mini joint – so tasty! Not a fan of lamb but it looks delicious.
Ooh yes, this is definitely going to be made in the next couple of weeks x
Oh my… this looks delicious… although I don’t eat lamb, so I guess I could do the same with chicken! I love the idea of a mini roast.