From Ragu to Rao's: The Evolution of Jarred Pasta Sauces
With gourmet sauces galore, today's home cook has plenty of options.
Growing up as a first-generation Italian American, meals held a special significance beyond mere sustenance; they were also a way to express love and honor culture and tradition. The centerpiece of this culinary tradition was the sauce simmering on the stove, meticulously crafted from scratch, sometimes for hours.
Back then, store-bought options were limited to brands like Prego and Ragu, which many Italian-American families shunned as they represented shortcuts not taken in the kitchen. Had anyone suggested we have jarred sauce while we were growing up, my Nonna would have rolled her eyes and said they were “pazzo.”
Fast forward to today, and the world of jarred pasta sauces has undergone a remarkable transformation. What was once seen as a compromise in authenticity has now evolved into a category filled with high-quality, gourmet products. Let’s explore the evolution of jarred pasta sauces and the brands driving this culinary revolution.
The Prego and Ragu Era
During the 1960s and 1970s, Prego and Ragu dominated grocery store shelves, offering quick and easy solutions for American families. These options fell short for Italians accustomed to rich, slow-cooked sauces made with fresh ingredients. Loaded with sugar and preservatives, they lacked the depth of flavor characteristic of a homemade sauce simmering on the stove for hours.
Prego, known for its thicker, sweeter sauce, and Ragu, recognized for its smooth texture, appealed to the masses but failed to capture the complexity of true Italian sugo. For many Italian American families, jarred sauce was an unnecessary convenience that didn’t meet their standards for home-cooked meals.
The Gourmet Shift: From Mass-Produced to Artisanal
As the American palate became more sophisticated in the 1980s and 1990s, there was a growing demand for higher-quality, convenient food products. The rise of gourmet food culture and a renewed interest in authenticity led to a shift in the production and consumption of ready-to-use jarred sauces. Home cooks were no longer satisfied with overly processed options, prompting brands to respond with products that used real ingredients, better sourcing, and more traditional recipes.
Rao’s and the Rise of Premium Brands
One of the pioneers of this shift was Rao’s, who in 1992 began selling their signature sauce outside of the restaurant. Renowned for its authentic taste and high-quality ingredients, Rao’s restored the authenticity of jarred sauces that had been missing for decades. Made with simple ingredients like Italian tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh herbs, it quickly became a favorite among home cooks seeking a homemade sauce.
Rao’s success opened the door for other premium brands to enter the market. This new wave of brands prioritized quality over convenience and focused on using natural ingredients, real tomatoes, and authentic recipes.
Other Notable Brands
Following Rao’s lead, several brands have emerged, offering sauces that bring gourmet flavors into your kitchen. Some of the top sellers that have helped elevate jarred sauces include:
Victoria: Known for its slow kettle-cooked process, Victoria chooses clean ingredients. Its sauces are free from preservatives and additives, focusing instead on the natural flavors of tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
Bertolli: A longstanding brand, Bertolli has recently refined its offerings to include sauces with better ingredients and more regional Italian flavors. Their “Organic” and “Reserve” lines enhance their offerings, bringing the tastes of Italy to a broader audience.
Mezzetta: Renowned for its bold and unique flavors, Mezzetta offers a variety of pasta sauces that go beyond traditional marinara or tomato basil. Their sauces incorporate ingredients like roasted garlic and truffle, adding depth and richness to elevate simple pasta dishes.
La San Marzano: This brand uses high-quality, authentic San Marzano tomatoes, known for their sweetness and low acidity. The result is a fresher, cleaner-tasting sauce that rivals homemade in flavor and texture.
Michael’s of Brooklyn: A family-run business that captures the home-cooked flavors familiar to many Italian American families, Michael’s sauces are made in small batches using time-honored recipes. This brand exemplifies how the sauce aisle has evolved beyond convenience to celebrate authentic Italian food traditions.
Why Today’s Home Cook Has It Better
In contrast to sugary, mass-produced sauces of the past, today’s jarred pasta sauces prioritize quality. Many top-selling brands are transparent about their ingredients, using only fresh tomatoes, herbs, and quality oils. They eschew artificial additives, allowing real flavor to take center stage. For those raised on the authentic taste of homemade sauce, these new jarred options come remarkably close to the versions we know and love.
Today’s home cooks no longer have to sacrifice flavor or authenticity for the convenience of jarred sauce. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or something special for guests, the jarred pasta sauce offerings available today cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences, providing a delightful shortcut to homemade goodness.
My Pick
The appearance of a large pot of simmering sauce on our stove is few and far between. I don’t have that much energy anymore. However, like many people, I will pay more for convenience, but I refuse to sacrifice quality and flavor. I grew up with the real stuff remember? That made me picky about jarred sauce.
I have tried them all and only one brand consistently delivers on flavor: Rao’s. We keep one jar of sauce in the pantry at all times for quick weeknight meals and more labor-intensive dishes (I’m looking at you, lasagne!). With around 20 varieties of pasta sauces, you can’t go wrong with Rao’s.
Pro Tip:
Try baking chicken breasts covered in Rao’s jarred pasta sauce and topped with cheese for an easy weeknight dinner.
Rao’s also makes a jarred pizza sauce, perfect for homemade pizza night with the kids.
What are your favorite jarred pasta sauce brands? Did I miss any? Let me know!