Costine di Maiale al Pomodoro (Pork Ribs Braised in Tomato Sauce)
Pork ribs slowly braised in wine and tomato sauce until the meat slides off the bone, with sauce for mopping up.
Made with Basic tomato sauce and Soffritto. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.14 a head
- Oven160°C (140°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Season the ribs all over with the salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole over a medium high heat. Brown the ribs in 2 batches for 6 minutes each until deep golden, then lift out.
12 min - 3
Add your ready made soffritto (see the base recipe) to the pot and cook for 3 minutes. Pour in the wine, scrape up the sticky bits and let it bubble for 3 minutes.
6 min - 4
Stir in the basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe), water, rosemary and bay leaves. Return the ribs and spoon sauce over them.
- 5
Cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, turning the ribs once halfway, until the meat is very tender and pulling from the bone.
90 min - 6
Skim any fat from the surface of the sauce, remove the herbs and serve the ribs with soft polenta, mashed potato or crusty bread.
Tips
- Brown the ribs properly. The browned bits dissolve into the sauce and give it depth.
- If the sauce is too thin at the end, lift out the ribs and boil it hard for 5 minutes.
- Cook it a day ahead. The fat sets on top in the fridge and is easy to lift off before reheating.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I cook the ribs in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown them first, then cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. The sauce may need reducing on the hob at the end as slow cookers lose little water.
Which ribs are best?
Pork spare ribs or belly ribs both work. Baby back ribs are leaner, so shorten the braise to about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Is this dish gluten free?
Yes. It contains no wheat, dairy, egg or nuts, so it is naturally gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Sheikh el Mahshi (Lebanese Lamb Stuffed Aubergines with Tahini)
DFEFSpaghetti alla Chitarra al Pomodoro e Basilico (Abruzzo Guitar Spaghetti with Tomato)
VDFNFMaiale alla Pizzaiola (Pork Chops in Tomato and Oregano)
DFEFNFPollo all'Arrabbiata con Penne (Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata Pasta)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
