Parmesan-Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe (2024)

By Sam Sifton

Parmesan-Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 45 minutes
Rating
5(884)
Notes
Read community notes

Impressive in size, color and flavor, this take on an old Escoffier recipe brings salt-crunchiness to the exterior of sweet, roasted lamb. Served with Macaroni Milanaise, it makes for a show-off, dinner-party meal of little compare. (Tell no one how easy it is to pull off.)

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings.

  • 1rack of lamb, approximately 1¼ pounds, frenched
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup fresh bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley.

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

218 calories; 19 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 3 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 172 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Parmesan-Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Preheat oven to 450. Put a large frying pan over high heat until very hot. Rub lamb with 1 tablespoon of the oil, season aggressively with salt and pepper and then sear the meat in the pan until it is golden brown all over, approximately 4 minutes a side. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest for 20 or 30 minutes, until cool.

  2. Step

    2

    In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese and parsley. Rub the cooled-off lamb with the remaining olive oil, then pat the seasoned bread crumbs all over the meat in an even layer.

  3. Step

    3

    Put the lamb back on the baking sheet, and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 120 degrees, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. (Tent the lamb with foil if the crust threatens to get too dark at the end.) Remove the lamb from the oven, and allow to stand, covered loosely in foil, for 10 minutes or so. (The internal temperature will rise to 125 degrees, or medium-rare, while the lamb sits.) Carve into chops, and serve on a warmed platter.

Ratings

5

out of 5

884

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Antonia

Instead of parsley, I used rosemary. Very good

Es

Delicious. However, didn't need to roast 20 minutes in the oven despite an initial rest of about 2 hours. So use your meat thermometer if you like your lamb rare or medium rare.

Tommie V

How can you do this without garlic. Added a couple of cloves - perfection! Thanks for the great recipe.

Rich K

I used this recipe and it was excellent.I added rosemary to the dry mix and I added two cloves of crushed garlic during pan searing.I pan seared using a cast iron pan on high heat on my Wolf Range but only did it two minutes per side to get a nice brown crust all around.Also, I believe the oven temp could be lowered and just extend the roasting time with a meat temperature probe. I roasted the lamb to 130 degrees and it was medium rare. Awesome results!

Nancy Vaughns

After searing the lamb I brushed it all over with Dijon mustard before covering it in the cheese and bread crumbs. It added a wonderful zing that wasn’t overpowering at all. Overall wonderful dish.

Killer

This was shockingly easy and turned out possibly better than any rack of lamb I've ever had. Definitely going to become a weeknight dinner staple!

Stacy

Add fresh rosemary, thyme & 1 small covered garlic, minced.

Allyson

Really good. I roasted the lamb at 400 for about 25 minutes and it was a perfect medium rare. I seared and roasted the lamb in a cast iron skillet, so there was only one dish to wash. After searing, I tossed the fat and drippings with some fingerling potatoes, and roasted them in the skillet with the lamb. So good.

Lynda B

This recipe gets raves. It pleases everyone in my house from age 9 to 78!

Chef Josh

Try an egg white rub

Harvey

I liked the recipe, though I found the crust a little overly rich. I'll use less olive oil next time and will try out Chef Josh's suggestion of an egg white rub.

shoebender

First time making lamb - WOW. Made as directed, yum. Next time will try the mustard.

Changes made

Cook to max 115

Lynn L

I used my timing chart that goes by the thickness of the meat which I always use for steaks. It worked great!Beautiful crust!

John C

I use a thermo works probe that goes in the oven when I put the rack in . I take it out at 120 as directed and it continues to cook to 130 which is perfect for us but it’s not the 125 the recipes indicates.

Randy S.

This was great. I had some panko breadcrumbs that I used. I added Rosemary and minced spring garlic in addition to the parsley. Maybe add a little mint next time as well. For me I skipped the searing the outside step and cooked it fat side up on the Traeger grill at 450 until internal temp hit 130.

Naomi

I used mayonnaise mixed with minced garlic instead of the oil to keep the breadcrumbs in place. It worked beautifully. The 20 minutes of roasting time was perfect in my oven.

gwen

This was wonderful. I did three racks on one sheet pan and it worked out well. I had Thermopro probes in the meat and took the racks out of the oven at about 128-130 degrees F, a little higher than the recipe stated. Also had to use a foil tent after about five minutes as the crust started to brown pretty quickly. After resting and slicing the lamb it still was perfectly pink throughout. The Parmesan crust was absolutely beautiful. My husband isn’t a big fan of lamb and he loved this.

Debbie G

Our favorite restaurant was booked solid for New Years', so I decided to make this recipe. Wasn't disappointed -- better than any restaurant rack of lamb we could have ordered. And we didn't have to dress up!

Matt

I found cooking to 125 to be too rare. Brought it up to 130 . Also added some rosemary to the breadcrumbs and used mustard before applying. It was delicious

C D

Used rosemary instead of parsley

Peter WIlliams

Agreed with others - heat-tolerant herbs like sage and rosemary in the crust make a big difference. Other renditions use dijon as a base layer (after you've seared it, in lieu of the olive oil here) and it really is amazing. Also - parmesan is the 'glue' that holds the curst together, so a bit more doesn't hurt. I did note that 450 oven burned the crust a bit at about the 18 minute mark (conventional bake). On the second round I'll run the oven at 430 for 20-25 minutes.

Julian

Tried this with a fresh cut of NZ lamb (I'm in New Zealand) but found the meat mostly flavorless and will definitely pre-season next time. In retrospect I did know better, throwing on salt right before searing never works.The racks were on the small side and almost up to temperature after 2x4 minutes in the pan so I couldn't leave them long enough in the oven to brown the coating. I think this recipe only works with larger racks.

Laura

Why preheat the oven in step 1 when the rack does not go into the oven for at least 30 minutes until after searing and coming to room temp?

frank v

Amazing recipe, I happened to have pecorino, no Parmesan, it was great

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Parmesan-Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with a rack of lamb? ›

If you want to go the more classic route, you really can't beat serving your lamb alongside creamy potatoes au gratin, a bright bacon pea salad, and plenty of goat cheese-stuffed rolls for good measure.

What sauce goes well with lamb? ›

Lamb Chops pair extremely well with a number of sauces. Our Top 7 sauces to pair with Lamb Chops are: Garlic and Rosemary, Mustard Thyme, Tzatziki sauce, Balsamic Brown Sugar sauce, Chimichurri , Red Wine Sauce and Lemon Tahini sauce.

Do you separate rack of lamb before cooking? ›

If you are cooking multiple racks (not a crown roast which is a different matter), lay them out separately on the pan, and you may need to increase the cooking time. The cooking time depends on how big your rack of lamb is, and how rare you want it cooked.

What vegetable goes well with lamb? ›

If you're already roasting a lamb in your oven, toss some spring vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic, and thyme and slide them in alongside your protein for an easy side. Use tender new carrots, parsnips, and baby potatoes to showcase the flavors of spring.

Which of the following cooking methods is best for rack of lamb? ›

A high-heated oven (450 degrees F) is recommended for roast lamb rack. And it will take somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes to cook. This part of the lamb is typically served pink--rare (internal temperature of 125 degrees F) or medium-rare (internal temperature 135 degrees F).

What makes lamb taste better? ›

The big, bold Lamb flavor goes well with spices like coriander seeds, cumin, curry powder, harissa paste, garlic, rosemary, oregano, thyme, black pepper, chilly flakes, and mint. Spices compliment Lamb, but it also holds its flavor with just salt and pepper.

What enhances the flavor of lamb? ›

Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper. You can marinate them to add flavor. Popular choices include rosemary, garlic, and thyme.

What brings out the Flavour of lamb? ›

Fresh rosemary, fresh garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt are simple but amazing flavors that pair amazingly with the lamb! Each of these ingredients adds its unique warmth and depth to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Should you sear a lamb rack before roasting? ›

Easy Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb

Before roasting, sear the lamb fat side down in a cast iron pan to help develop a beautiful caramel color on the outside of the lamb chops.

How do you know when rack of lamb is cooked? ›

Buy and use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature. Look for about 125-130 degrees as a final internal temperate of the center of the meat. The outer edges will be done more, but the center should be medium-rare. Take it out the pan at about 120 degrees.

Is rack of lamb good for you? ›

It is a delicious and rich source of protein that has important vitamins and minerals. When consumed in moderation, it is a healthy addition to a well-balanced diet. Like other red meats, lamb can increase your chances of developing certain chronic illnesses. Experts recommend eating red meat in moderation.

Should I remove the silver skin from a rack of lamb? ›

You do have to trim any silver skin off though as it will go gristly. The key to removing silver skin on any meat - sharp knife.

What is the cap on a lamb rack? ›

“Cap on” is where the lamb rack still has a layer of fat on it, like pictured above. The extent of the layer of fat varies – the one pictured above has had most of the fat trimmed away, leaving behind just a thin layer of fat.

Do you need to remove the membrane from a rack of lamb? ›

Remove the meat and membrane

The meat and membrane should mostly come off. Repeat as needed until the bones are pretty clean. You can also use your fingers to separate the meat and membrane from the bones, gently pulling and twisting the rack until the bones are free.

Which strong herb pairs well with lamb? ›

Which herbs go with lamb (and how to grow them)
  • Rosemary and lamb. With its woody flavour, rosemary is the perfect companion for your favourite lamb dish. ...
  • Mint and lamb. Taking its roots from Middle Eastern dishes, mint is often used when cooking more complex lamb dishes. ...
  • Oregano and lamb. ...
  • Thyme and lamb.

What sides go well with lamb shanks? ›

What to Serve with Lamb Shanks (43 Sides & More)
  • Produce. • 1 Apple, Crisp. • 1 Au gratin potatoes. ...
  • Canned Goods. • 1 Potato soup. • 1 Vegetable soup.
  • Pasta & Grains. • 1 Potato gnocchi.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Apple pie. ...
  • Snacks. • 1 Brownies. ...
  • Frozen. • 1 Barley risotto. ...
  • Desserts. • 1 Baked alaska. ...
  • Deli. • 1 Lemon rosemary potato salad.

What can I eat with lamb besides mint jelly? ›

Not just mint jelly: how to make the ultimate lamb condiment...
  1. Gravy. Make the most of the lamb's natural juices by turning it into a flavour-packed gravy. ...
  2. Gremolata. This Italian condiment is most commonly used as a final flourish on rich dishes like Osso busco but adds a fresh note to your lamb dish. ...
  3. Tomato relish.

What wood goes with lamb? ›

Since lamb has a strong flavor profile, you will want to use a bold flavor of smoking chips. Traditionally, Hickory has been the leading choice for smoking lamb, but Apple wood is also a popular choice, as well as Mesquite.

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