Italian-Style Braised Ribs in Tomato Sauce
Italian-Style Braised Ribs in Tomato Sauce is a hearty, slow-cooked dish where pork ribs are simmered until tender in a rich, aromatic tomato-based sauce. Originating from Italian home cooking, it typically features pork ribs, tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs like rosemary and thyme, and often a splash of red wine. The method of braising allows the meat to absorb the deep flavors of the sauce, creating a comforting and flavorful meal.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein from the ribs and contains a moderate amount of fat, with carbs coming primarily from the tomatoes and any added wine or sugar. It provides key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins from the meat, along with lycopene from the tomatoes. A typical serving of ribs with sauce contains roughly 400-600 calories, depending on the cut of ribs and sauce richness.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Zinc | 5.2 mg |
| Potassium | 520 mg |
| Phosphorus | 240 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.8 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg |
| Selenium | 22 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, braising is a traditional Italian technique that transforms tougher cuts of meat into tender, flavorful dishes, reflecting the resourceful 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking) heritage. Nutritionally, the slow-cooking process helps break down collagen in the ribs, making the protein more digestible while the tomato sauce adds antioxidants like lycopene, which becomes more bioavailable when cooked with fats.
