Agnello alla Cacciatora (Italian Lamb Stew with Tomato, Wine and Rosemary)

In agnello alla cacciatora, lamb is treated in the Italian “hunter-style” tradition: well browned, then gently braised with wine, tomato, garlic and herbs until the meat turns tender and the sauce becomes savoury and glossy. Rosemary gives the stew its recognisable aromatic edge, while passata and dry white wine create a pan sauce with enough depth to coat each piece of lamb without feeling heavy. It is a practical, rustic dinner for cooler days, best served hot with crusty bread or soft polenta to catch the rich tomato-wine juices.
Cuisine style Rustic Italian home cooking
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Slow-cooked • Make-ahead friendly
Time commitment Slow-cooked

Why this recipe works

  • Deep savoury base: Browning the lamb first creates caramelised flavour that carries through the tomato and wine sauce.
  • Gentle braising: A low simmer tenderises the lamb gradually while keeping the sauce rich rather than watery.
  • Sauce-led serving: The passata, wine and rosemary cook down into a generous sauce suited to bread, polenta or simple sides.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Most of the time is hands-off: Once the lamb is browned and the sauce is assembled, the stew mainly needs a gentle simmer with occasional stirring.
  • Serve when the sauce coats the lamb: The stew is ready when the meat is tender and the tomato-wine sauce has reduced enough to cling to a spoon.

Common mistakes

  • Do not crowd the lamb: Brown the meat in batches so it takes on colour instead of steaming, which gives the finished sauce more depth.
  • Keep the simmer gentle: Too much heat can toughen the lamb and make the sauce catch before the meat has softened.

Make-ahead tips

  • Good for cooking ahead: The stew keeps well in the fridge and the flavours settle nicely after resting overnight.
  • Reheat gently: Warm on the hob over low heat, adding a small splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
  • Freezer-friendly: Cool completely before freezing, then defrost in the fridge and reheat until piping hot.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose lamb for braising: Stew cuts work well here because the slow simmer turns tougher pieces tender and flavours the sauce.
  • Use fresh rosemary if possible: Fresh rosemary gives the sauce a clean, resinous aroma that suits lamb especially well.
  • Balance the tomato and wine: Taste at the end and adjust the seasoning so the sauce feels savoury and rounded rather than sharp.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Finely slice the onion. Lightly crush the garlic cloves with the side of a knife and strip the rosemary leaves from the sprigs.
  2. Season the lamb all over with the salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown the lamb in batches until well coloured, 6 to 8 minutes per batch.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion to the pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring and scraping up the browned bits, until softened and lightly golden.
  4. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the wine and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in the passata, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low for 55 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. The lamb should be tender and the sauce thickened enough to coat a spoon.
  6. Uncover and simmer for 8 to 12 minutes to reduce the sauce to a rich consistency. Taste and adjust with a little more salt and pepper if needed, then serve hot with the sauce spooned over.

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Recipe notes

Serving suggestions

This recipe pairs well with:

Crusty bread Polenta

Tips

  • Brown the lamb in batches and avoid crowding the pot; good colour at this stage is what makes the finished sauce taste deep and savoury.
  • Keep the simmer very gentle so the lamb turns tender without the sauce catching; if it looks too thick before the lamb is ready, add a small splash of water and continue cooking.
  • For a more pronounced rosemary note, add one extra sprig for the simmer, then remove it before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Dry White Wine with red wine for a deeper, more robust sauce.
  • Replace Fresh rosemary with fresh thyme for a softer, more floral herb profile.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the hob until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 35min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Italian
With serving suggestions One pot Freezer friendly

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