This pork chops in tomato sauce is a Sicilian-style pork chops recipe that will definitely please everyone. These pork chops are cooked in a slow cooker for hours with tomatoes, dry vermouth, and seasonings and it is so easy to make. Make it for Sunday dinner or any time you want a delicious and simple slow-cooked meal.
This pork chops in tomato sauce (which I call Sicilian gravy) consists of bone-in pork chops that cook for hours in the slow cooker with a delicious tomato sauce until tender and juicy. It is a big pot of deliciousness!
This recipe was given to me by family friends who are Sicilian which is why I call it Sicilian gravy. This was their version of Sunday gravy and what they made every week. You can call these Sicilian pork chops, slow cooker pork chops, or whatever you want, just make sure to make them because they are delicious.
These delicious flavorful bone-in pork chops are so easy to make and definitely worth the wait. In our house growing up, Sunday suppers were always made at my grandmother's house every single week
Ingredients
These slow-cooked Sicilian pork chops are cooked with Italian spices, vermouth, tomatoes, and pork chops until the pork is tender and the red sauce is smooth and infused with all the great flavors of the meat.
Here is what you will need:
- Whole Italian Tomatoes and Crushed Italian Tomatoes: You can use canned versions of both of these ingredients for easier prep.
- Large Bone-in Pork Chops: The bone is important because it keeps the pork chops tender and adds flavor to the tomato sauce.
- Fresh Basil: For an aromatic and herbal flavor.
- Onion: Yellow onion and red onion will both work well here.
- Fresh Garlic: Jarred garlic can be used in a pinch, but I recommend using the freshest garlic possible!
- Pasta: I prefer rigatoni or ziti since this is more traditional and better for scooping up the meat and sauce together.
- Kosher Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper
Ingredient Notes
For this recipe, I used tomahawk pork chops (which you will see in the pictures as they are extra long) but regular bone-in pork chops will be fine.
Do make sure that you buy nice thick pork chops.
How to Make Pork Chops In Tomato Sauce
- Sear the meat: First, you want to sear the pork chops then add the aromatics. This will be the base of flavor for the tomato sauce.
- make the tomato sauce: Once you have seared the pork chops and sauteed the onions and garlic, add the tomatoes and crush them down. I like to use a potato masher for this part but you could use the back of a spoon if you prefer.
- Reduce: The searing of the meat along with the onions, garlic, and alcohol from the vermouth will really give the tomato sauce so much flavor.
- Add To The Slow Cooker: The rest of the flavor in the sauce comes from slow-cooking the pork in the tomato sauce.
- Now that you have put together all the ingredients for the Italian gravy, add that to the slow cooker along with the pork chops and cover it. If you have tried my brisket recipe, this recipe is as easy as that one.
- Cook for 6- 7 hours on low until the sauce is smooth and the pork is falling off the bone.
In an Italian home, it is normal to wake up early and start an all-day sauce that you will smell cooking all day long but cannot eat until dinner! 🙂
FAQs
These pork chops in gravy pair well with a wide variety of side dishes. Serve them over pasta or polenta, next to your favorite roast veggies, or with a loaf of fresh bread. See below for more specific pairing suggestions as well!
Using bone-in pork chops is a great way to ensure the final result will be juicy and tender. Because this recipe slowly cooks all day, the chops don't dry out and the final result is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Storing And Reheating
These pork chops store really well. Allow the pork and tomato sauce to cool then place in a container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To reheat the pork chops, I like to remove the pork chops from the sauce and wrap them in aluminum foil and heat them in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes.
The sauce I like to reheat on the stovetop on low for about 15 minutes as well. When the pork chops are heated up, just serve them with the sauce over the top.
Pairing Ideas
If you are looking for ideas of what to serve with these slow cooker pork chops with tomato sauce, here are some ideas:
Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce (Slow Cooker Recipe)
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 bone in pork chops large, about 1 inch thick
- 28 ounces whole Italian tomatoes canned. Preferably San Marzano.
- 14 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
- 1 small Spanish onion diced fine
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ounces dry Vermouth or you can substitute with Sake or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 2 fresh basil leaves
- 1 dried bay leaf
Instructions
Starting the Italian gravy on the stovetop first
- In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sprinkle a little kosher salt over the pork chops the add them to the hot pan.2 bone in pork chops
- Cook on both sides for about 3 minutes or until a light brown color appears.
- Remove the pork from the pan and set aside.
- In the same sauté pan over medium heat, add your onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.1 small Spanish onion
- Now add your garlic and cook for another minute.3 cloves garlic
- Add the Vermouth and stir around in the pan and let the alcohol cook off, about 2 minutes.2 ounces dry Vermouth
- Now add your canned whole tomatoes and crushed tomatoes to the pan.28 ounces whole Italian tomatoes, 14 ounce crushed tomatoes
- Gently press down the whole tomatoes with a potato masher or bottom of a mug until there are no more whole tomatoes left.
- Add your kosher salt and pepper and stir well.1 teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Adding ingredients to the slow cooker
- Place the seared pork chops in your slow cooker and turn the heat to low.
- Now pour your sauce over the pork chops in the slow cooker.
- Add the fresh basil and dried bay leaf.2 fresh basil leaves, 1 dried bay leaf
- Cover and cook for 6 hours or until the sauce is smooth and the pork is falling off the bone.
To Serve
- Make a full package of rigatoni or ziti and cook according to manufacturers instructions for al dente.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and place back into the pot.
- Add a ladle of pasta sauce to the pasta and mix well to keep the pasta from sticking.
- Pour your pasta on to a large plate.
- Gently remove the pork from the slow cooker and place on top of the pasta.
- Scoop out the remaining sauce in the slow cooker into a bowl and serve on the side of the pasta and pork.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer hereTried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
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