A Mexican-Inspired Weeknight Recipe
Looking for a quick dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor? This Ground Lamb Mole Bowl combines authentic Mexican mole richness with weeknight simplicity. Ready in just 40 minutes, this nutrient-dense meal delivers complex flavors without the traditional day-long cooking process typical of classic mole preparations.
How to Create Authentic Mole Flavor in Under an Hour
Traditional Mexican mole sauce typically requires dozens of ingredients and hours of careful preparation. This recipe revolutionizes that approach by utilizing high-quality mole powder (or paste) as a flavor foundation. When combined with sautéed aromatics and rich beef broth, this shortcut creates a sauce with the characteristic depth and complexity of authentic mole—earthy, smoky, sweet and savory notes that develop in minutes rather than hours.
The recipe draws inspiration from the vibrant markets of Xochimilco, Mexico City, where vendors display mountains of house-made mole powders in various shades. This weeknight-friendly interpretation honors traditional Mexican culinary techniques while accommodating modern time constraints.
Why Ground Lamb and Sweet Potatoes Work So Well Together
Ground lamb provides the perfect protein foundation for this Mexican-inspired bowl. Its natural boldness stands up beautifully to mole’s intense complexity, browning deeply with aromatic vegetables. The addition of diced sweet potatoes introduces subtle sweetness and soft texture, playing beautifully off the smoky heat of the mole and grounding the dish with satisfying balance.
As the sauce simmers with tomato paste, oregano, thyme, and beef broth, the sweet potatoes absorb the rich flavor and become tender. The final result is a deep, comforting bowl of food that tastes like it took all day.
Finding Quality Mole Powder for Authentic Results
While the original recipe uses mole powder sourced directly from Xochimilco market vendors, quality alternatives are readily available online. Juquilita’s Mole Negro offers an excellent Oaxacan-style option with the perfect balance of roasted chiles, nuts, seeds, and subtle chocolate notes. This accessible ingredient brings authentic Mexican flavor to your kitchen without requiring international travel.
Creating Perfect Texture and Flavor Balance
Its thoughtful construction of contrasting elements elevates this bowl beyond ordinary weeknight meals. Fresh arugula and cilantro tossed with bright lime juice and extra virgin olive oil create a vibrant layer atop the warm lamb mole. This fresh component delivers necessary brightness that balances the sauce’s richness.
Toasted pepitas provide essential crunch while crumbled cotija cheese adds creamy saltiness that rounds out the bowl’s flavor profile. The nutty brown rice base absorbs the flavorful sauce while adding wholesome texture and nutritional value.
This Ground Lamb Mole Bowl demonstrates how strategic ingredient selection and simplified techniques can create restaurant-quality meals within a manageable timeframe. Whether you’re seeking a warming winter dinner or an impressive yet achievable weeknight option, this recipe delivers bold, balanced Mexican-inspired flavor in under 45 minutes.
Ground Lamb Mole Bowl
4
servings15
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minutesThis Ground Lamb Mole Bowl delivers deep, smoky flavor in under 45 minutes, thanks to rich mole powder, tender lamb, and aromatic vegetables. Topped with lime-dressed arugula and cilantro, cotija, and pepitas, it’s a bold, balanced bowl that hits every note: earthy, spicy, fresh, and savory.
Ingredients
1 pound ground lamb
1/4 cup mole powder or paste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large carrot, julienned
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon oregano, freshly chopped
1 tablespoon thyme, freshly chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 lime, juiced and zested
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
2 cups arugula
2 tablespoons toasted pepitas
1/4 cup cojita cheese
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
Directions
- Sauté the Aromatics:
Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. - Brown the Lamb:
Push the vegetables to one side and add the ground lamb. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, 5–6 minutes. - Simmer the Mole:
Stir in the tomato paste and mole. Add the sweet potatoes, beef broth, brown sugar, oregano, and thyme. Stir to combine, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. - Toss the Greens:
Combine the arugula and cilantro. Drizzle with 1 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and the juice from the lime. Season with salt and toss until coated. - Assemble the Bowls:
Scoop brown rice into bowls. Top with a generous portion of lamb mole, pile on the dressed greens, and finish with cotija, toasted pepitas, and a sprinkle of lime zest.
SUGGESTED RECIPE: Corn and Serrano Chicken Mole Skillet
This Corn and Serrano Chicken Mole Skillet features golden seared chicken thighs simmered in a mole-spiced sauce with sweet corn, fresh herbs, and a kick of serrano heat. It’s a one-pan meal that brings bold Mexican-inspired comfort to your table.
