Lambs have a habit of capturing our imagination. First, Mary had a little one, and then, in 1996, scientists made a second lamb from one set of cells. If you celebrate Easter, festivities probably wouldn’t seem the same without sitting down to a roast leg. In moral stories the stray lamb is never left behind; it’s the symbol of innocence and purity. Well, except in Roald Dahl’s deliciously dark tale of a woman who murders her husband with a frozen leg of lamb – and then serves it to the cops. We can’t blame Mrs Maloney in Lamb to the Slaughter: why waste a good piece of meat? No matter what your favourite cut is – chops, neck, ribs or on the bone – we have the lamb recipe for you.

Alida Ryder’s slow-cooked lamb, rosemary and roasted garlic pie

Tender, succulent lamb in a rich sauce flavoured with rosemary and sweet roasted garlic. Is there anything better? Well, yes. “Top that with a layer of crisp, buttery puff pastry and you have pie perfection,” says cookbook author, recipe developer and food stylist Alida Ryder of Simply Delicious.

Alida Ryder’s slow-cooked lamb, rosemary and roasted garlic pie

Andy Fenner’s sweet-potato gnocchi with shredded lamb

This is one of those underrated dishes that’s not particularly difficult to make. Plus, if you use sweet potato, it’s a lot healthier than most starches.

Andy Fenner’s sweet-potato gnocchi with shredded lamb

Braised lamb neck and gorgonzola pie

This rich, slow-cooked lamb pie is given depth and richness by the addition of creamy gorgonzola and sweet dried dates.

Braised lamb neck and gorgonzola pie

Dukkah spiced braised lamb neck

Chef Allistaire Lawrence (previously of Roots) likes his lamb spicy. Make this when you have time on your hands.

Dukkah spiced braised lamb neck

The Foodie’s Parmesan-crumbed lamb chops

Lamb chops are arguably best cooked on the braai, but they can just as successfully be done in the kitchen.

The Foodie’s Parmesan-crumbed lamb chops

Greek-style roast lamb

This is a delicious lamb recipe that cooks for 8 to 10 hours, leaving the rest of the day to work, play or sleep!

Greek-style roast lamb

Grilled lamb cutlets with salsa verde

Give lamb chops some zing with easy-to-make salsa verde.

Grilled lamb cutlets with salsa verde

Hearty lamb shank pot pies

With juicy lamb in rich gravy under a hat of golden flaky pastry, these are the ultimate pies. For a lighter meal, replace the spices with fresh thyme, bay leaves and chopped parsley, swap out the red wine for white and add baby carrots, pickling onions and sugar snap peas to the stew.

Hearty lamb shank pot pies

Jenny Morris’s Saharan lamb stuffed with couscous and fruit

In search of a unique Sunday roast? This fruity lamb tagine takes its cue from the flavours of Morocco.

Lamb and quinoa kofta on soft chickpeas with toasted pita bread

It’s amazing how much flavour you can shove into one little ball.

Lamb riblets with Moroccan spices

Food blogger Nina Timm says of this delicious take on ribs, “The zing of the orange and the pomegranates and the punch of the wonderful Moroccan spices really take you to an exotic destination.”

Lamb roast with mint aioli

Serve this spicy lamb with refreshing mint aioli and a glass of pinotage.

Mike Bassett’s rack of lamb with roast potatoes and vegetables

Chef and restaurateur Mike Bassett shares his rack of lamb recipe with us.

Roast leg of lamb

A beautiful roast leg of lamb is always a crowd pleaser ­– especially if it features the magic combination of garlic and rosemary.

Samp & beans with lamb

A traditional African dish that calls for little effort but lots of time. (The results will be worth it.)

Slow-cooked Sunday lamb

Roasted with garlic, sage, rosemary and sweet onions, this is a rich, fragrant dish.

Tagine of lamb knuckle with tomato

Hearty and warm, this stew is slowly cooked to perfection in a tagine.