Pork Rib Sauce

Name: Pork Rib Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 130 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Pork ribs rib tips 1.1 lbs; Tomato purée 1.7 cups; Red onions 4.6 oz; Garlic 2 cloves; White wine 0.8 cup; Rosemary 1 sprig; Sage 1 sprig; Fresh chili pepper 1; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste

it de es fr br

Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 10 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Sebastian Fitarau

Pork ribs sauce from Lazio, known locally as sugo con le spuntature, really brings that homey comfort right to your table. And listen, this traditional Italian dish kicks off with pork ribs that are slow-cooked until they're super tender—you know, really packed with deep, meaty flavor. As those ribs simmer away in a rich tomato base, the sauce becomes moist and thick, just soaking up all that goodness. It’s not just about taste; it's about those big family gatherings on Sundays, where everyone gets together for something special but really just good, simple food. Plus, in places like Campania, folks love to toss in some sausages, adding even more sweet and savory notes to the mix. The long, gentle cook—seriously good—makes this pork ribs sauce more than just a topper for pasta. It’s what fills the house with amazing smells, making people run to the kitchen.

And here's the thing, in central Italy, families know that nothing beats this kind of homemade rib sauce when paired with hearty pasta shapes like rigatoni or paccheri. The sauce clings to every bite, making each forkful rich and a little tangy from the tomatoes. Really really tasty. You might even see the ribs set aside, served as a second course, which is great. Compared to other barbecue sauce for ribs or those sweet and sticky American styles, this one dives deep into the slow-cooked pork and the simplicity of good tomatoes. It’s a dish that takes basic ingredients and makes them taste super special. Whether you’re spooning it over pasta or even polenta, you'll get why this is one of the best rib sauces in Lazio and Campania.

Honestly, it is all about the spirit of family meals, the golden sauce bubbling away on the stove, and the joy of sharing. For real, it comes through in every bite. That’s what makes sugo con le spuntature the kind of sauce that never goes out of style. Enjoying this meal feels like getting a warm Italian hug from the heart of Lazio. Pretty simple, right?

How to prepare Pork Rib Sauce

To prepare the pork rib sauce, start by cleaning 1 and thinly slicing the onion 2, then cut the chili pepper in half 3.

Crush a clove of garlic 4, then take care of the ribs: sprinkle them with salt 5 and massage to flavor the meat evenly. In a large pot, heat the oil over high heat and add the ribs 6.

Brown well for 2-3 minutes on each side 7. Once golden, remove the ribs from the pot and set them aside 8. Lower the heat and add the chili pepper, garlic, and onion to the same pot 9.

Add the rosemary and sage 10 and let them infuse for about 5 minutes before adding the browned ribs 11. Turn up the heat a bit, stirring often, and deglaze with white wine 12.

Let the alcohol evaporate completely 13, then pour in the tomato puree 14 and season with salt and pepper 15.

Cover with the lid 16 and cook on low heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally 17. At the end of cooking, the meat should be so tender it falls apart and the sauce should be nice and thick. Your pork rib sauce is ready to be enjoyed as you like 18!