Italian Braised Pork Ribs and Pasta

Today we’re preparing a thick red sauce with country style pork ribs, and we’re setting that over hardy rigatoni noodles. Perfect for dinner parties, warming weekend meals, and family gatherings, this is one sauce recipe you should definitely have in your repertoire.

What Goes Great With Today’s Rib Sauce

1. Homemade Breadsticks. At the risk of being old fashioned, I’m going to suggest breadsticks to pair with today’s sauce, and these are much easier to prepare than you might think. Paired with some olive oil for dipping, or even some herbed butter or black coffee, these are super versatile and keep great. As a nice bonus, they never fail to impress the guests.
2. Homemade Pasta. If you’re feeling adventurous, making your own pasta would add an extra layer of ‘gourmet’ to today’s recipe – and to any other pasta recipe in your repertoire.
3. Pignoli and Raisin Meatballs. Adding in some meatballs to today’s sauce would really take this to the next level. That said, this is possibly my favorite way to prepare meatballs. These have a subdued ‘buttery’ sweetness courtesy of the pine nut and raisin combination, set against a backdrop of moist, meaty juices of the fluffy meatballs.

Italian Braised Pork Ribs and PastaPhoto byLiving the Gourmet

Ingredients

• 6 country style ribs

Seasonings:

• 2 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne

For the Sauce:

• 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
• 4 - 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 onion
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 2 - 3 tbs. olive oil
• Handful of fresh basil
• 1 lb. of your favorite pasta - cooked in well-salted water
• Fresh Romano or Parmesan cheese for grating

Instructions

For the ribs:

1. In a small bowl, combine all spices for the seasonings. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture on one side.
2. Place the seasoned side on the pan and allow the ribs to become slightly charred and crispy.
3. Turn the ribs over and sprinkle the other half of the seasoning mixture on the ribs and again let freshly seasoned side of the ribs become slightly charred and crispy.

For the sauce:

1. Place the sliced onion and garlic in the pan with the ribs and let sauté for a few minutes with the ribs.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, seasonings, fresh basil and olive oil.
3. Allow the sauce to simmer on a gentle heat with the pan loosely covered.
4. Allow the sauce to cook for at least two hours or more on a gentle heat.
5. The ribs will be tender.
6. Cook the pasta as directed.
7. Add two or three tablespoons of the salted pasta water to the sauce.
8. Place the ribs in a bowl and add the cooked pasta to the sauce, drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil, a few dashes of red pepper flakes, fresh grated cheese and toss.

**If you enjoyed today's recipe, visit Living the Gourmet for more comforting and delicious meals!