This one-pan lamb with Hasselback potatoes is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a hearty dinner. The lamb is tender and juicy, while the potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, creating a perfect balance of textures.

FULL RECIPE

Ingredients

• 4 lamb chops
• 6 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/gas mark 6.
2. Slice the potatoes into Hasselback style by making thin cuts halfway through each potato.
3. Place the potatoes on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil, rosemary, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
4. Put the potatoes in the oven and roast for 20 minutes.
5. While the potatoes are roasting, season the lamb chops with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
6. After 20 minutes, remove the potatoes from the oven and push them to the side of the tray. Place the lamb chops on the empty side of the pan.
7. Dot the lamb chops with butter and place the lemon slices around the potatoes and lamb.
8. Return the tray to the oven and roast for another 20-25 minutes or until the lamb reaches your desired doneness.
9. Once done, remove from the oven and let the lamb rest for a few minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 480 per serving
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 350mg

Choosing the Right Lamb for the Recipe

When preparing lamb for a one-pan recipe like this, the cut of lamb you choose can make all the difference in the final dish. Lamb chops are a popular choice due to their tenderness and rich flavor. You can also opt for lamb leg steaks or rack of lamb, depending on availability and personal preference. The key to a perfect lamb chop is ensuring it’s properly seasoned and cooked to your desired level of doneness, ensuring it remains juicy and flavorful.

The Appeal of Hasselback Potatoes

Hasselback potatoes are not only visually appealing but also a fantastic way to elevate the humble potato. This technique, which involves making thin cuts across the potato, allows for maximum surface area to crisp up in the oven, resulting in a crunchy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The method also lets you get creative with fillings or seasonings between the slices. For this recipe, rosemary and garlic provide an aromatic base, but feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices.

One-Pan Cooking Convenience

One-pan recipes are a lifesaver for busy home cooks. This method of cooking minimizes cleanup, which is often the least enjoyable part of the cooking process. By roasting both the lamb and potatoes together in one pan, you not only save on washing dishes but also allow the flavors to meld. As the lamb cooks, its juices drip down and flavor the potatoes, making each bite a harmonious blend of savory goodness.

The Role of Olive Oil in Roasting

Olive oil plays an essential role in this dish, both for flavor and texture. It helps to crisp up the potatoes, ensuring they are golden brown and crunchy. Olive oil also helps to keep the lamb moist as it roasts, preventing it from drying out. It’s important to choose a good-quality olive oil for its fresh, slightly fruity flavor, which will complement the herbs and lamb beautifully.

Herbs and Spices to Enhance Flavor

The use of fresh rosemary and garlic is a classic pairing with lamb, offering earthy and aromatic flavors that perfectly balance the richness of the meat. Adding smoked paprika to the potatoes gives them a slightly smoky flavor that contrasts with the natural sweetness of the potatoes. This combination of herbs and spices elevates the dish and creates a depth of flavor that will impress your guests or family.

Resting the Lamb After Roasting

After removing the lamb from the oven, it’s crucial to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that each bite is as tender and juicy as possible. If you skip this step, the lamb may lose some of its moisture, resulting in a less satisfying meal. Resting also allows the meat to reach the optimal temperature for serving.

Adjusting Cooking Time for Different Lamb Cuts

Lamb chops cook relatively quickly, but the cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the cut and your desired level of doneness. For lamb leg steaks or a rack of lamb, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure your lamb reaches the correct internal temperature—around 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, and 145°F for medium.

Choosing the Perfect Potatoes

The type of potatoes you use for Hasselback potatoes is crucial for achieving the right texture. Waxy potatoes, such as new potatoes or Yukon Golds, are ideal for this recipe. These potatoes hold their shape well when roasted and have a creamy, smooth texture that pairs perfectly with the crispy edges. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, which can break apart when sliced thin and may not hold up as well during roasting.

The Importance of Seasoning

Seasoning is key to making this dish flavorful and satisfying. Lamb has a rich, savory taste that benefits from a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and olive oil, allowing the natural flavor of the meat to shine. The potatoes, however, require a bit more attention. Rosemary, garlic, and smoked paprika bring out the best in the potatoes, providing an aromatic base that contrasts beautifully with the rich lamb.

The Versatility of One-Pan Meals

One-pan meals are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit different preferences or dietary needs. For example, you could swap out the lamb for chicken, beef, or even a plant-based protein for a vegetarian version of the dish. The potatoes can also be seasoned differently or paired with other vegetables, such as carrots or bell peppers, to create a more colorful and diverse meal.

Creating a Balanced Meal with Vegetables

While the lamb and potatoes are the stars of this dish, adding a side of vegetables can help round out the meal. Roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, green beans, or carrots, would complement the richness of the lamb and potatoes. You can add them to the pan in the final 15 minutes of cooking, allowing them to absorb the flavors from the lamb and the seasoning while becoming tender and caramelized.

The Role of Lemon in Balancing the Dish

Lemon plays a subtle but important role in this recipe. The fresh citrus cuts through the richness of the lamb and the potatoes, providing a bright, zesty contrast. The lemon slices roasted alongside the lamb infuse the dish with a mild citrus aroma, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the dish before serving adds a final layer of brightness.

Using Smoked Paprika for Extra Flavor

Smoked paprika is a great addition to this recipe, especially for adding a depth of flavor to the potatoes. Its smoky, slightly sweet taste pairs beautifully with the savory lamb, providing a balance that enhances the overall profile of the dish. If you prefer a spicier kick, you could experiment with hot smoked paprika or even a touch of cayenne pepper for added heat.

Perfect Side Dishes for One-Pan Lamb and Potatoes

While the one-pan lamb and Hasselback potatoes are hearty on their own, you can also serve them with a variety of sides to complete the meal. A light salad with arugula, feta, and a lemon vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lamb. Alternatively, a simple grain dish, such as couscous or quinoa, would work well to soak up the delicious juices from the lamb.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the lamb and potatoes in the oven at a low temperature to prevent the meat from drying out. Alternatively, you can reheat the leftovers in a skillet with a little olive oil, which will help crisp up the potatoes again.

Wine Pairing for Lamb and Potatoes

A bold red wine pairs wonderfully with lamb, making it the perfect drink to serve with this dish. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Syrah complements the rich flavor of the lamb, while also balancing the earthy potatoes. If you prefer white wine, a full-bodied Chardonnay with a touch of oak could work, though red wines are typically the better match for lamb dishes.

Why One-Pan Recipes Are Great for Entertaining

One-pan recipes are fantastic for entertaining, especially when you need to feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen. This particular dish can be made in advance, leaving you with more time to enjoy the company of your guests. The fact that everything cooks in the same pan means there’s less to prepare and clean up afterward, making it a stress-free option for dinner parties or family gatherings.

How to Customize the Dish for Dietary Restrictions

One of the best things about one-pan meals is their adaptability. If you’re cooking for people with dietary restrictions, this recipe can easily be modified. For a gluten-free version, simply ensure that all the ingredients used are certified gluten-free. If someone is following a low-carb or keto diet, consider replacing the potatoes with cauliflower or another low-carb vegetable that will still absorb the flavors of the lamb.

The Role of Butter in Enhancing the Flavor

Butter is a key ingredient in this recipe that contributes richness and depth of flavor to the lamb. Adding small dollops of butter on top of the lamb before roasting helps keep the meat moist while also imparting a delicious, velvety texture. The butter also mingles with the juices from the lamb, creating a savory sauce that coats the potatoes and adds even more flavor.

The Joy of Simple, Comforting Meals

Sometimes, the simplest meals are the most satisfying, and this one-pan lamb and Hasselback potatoes dish is a perfect example. With just a few quality ingredients, you can create a comforting, flavorful meal that feels indulgent without being overly complicated. The crispy potatoes and tender lamb come together beautifully, offering a meal that is both delicious and satisfying.

Conclusion

This one-pan lamb with Hasselback potatoes recipe is a perfect example of how easy, flavorful, and satisfying a meal can be when prepared with minimal ingredients and effort. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this dish delivers both in taste and presentation. It’s the perfect balance of savory lamb, crispy potatoes, and aromatic herbs, making it an ideal choice for any dinner occasion.