Ok so this is not the real name of this delicious red, tomato sauce. But it is what we call it as it has some ribs in it!

This is a sauce from Zach and Josh’s great grandmother on their Dad’s side (Italian). Her name was NonaPina and she taught Ama how to make the sauce. Ama, in turn passed the recipe on to me.

It is such a tasty sauce, that everyone enjoys, and it is the sauce I use to make lasagna too:

Rib Pasta

1 can crushed tomatoes
3 small cans tomatoe paste
1 lb ground beef ( I often use a mix of beef and pork)
1 pkg pork spare ribs
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp crushed chillies
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Chopped parsley
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Prepare meatballs: Mix meat, parsley, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and egg together and roll into meatballs. Place on baking sheet and bake until brown. Alternatively, saute in oil to brown, then set aside.

Saute spare ribs in hot oil until brown and set aside.

In large saucepan, add crushed tomatoes and paste and stir. Add 3-5 cups of water until saucy consistency. Add bay leaves, salt and pepper and crushed chillies and bring to slow boil. Add meatballs and spare ribs. Continue to a slow boil. Reduce to low, simmer for 1.5 hours.

Serve over pasta with lots of parmesan, meatballs and ribs.

To make lasagna, put layer of sauce on bottom of pan. Layer with cooked lasagna noodles, then layer with ricotta cheese and grated cheese. Then another layer of sauce, noddles, ricotta, grated cheese, etc. Bake until bubbly!