Recipes

[SoCal Bred]

@DSD2 @LavernLuvsShoes 

I used to buy Prego, a few years ago someone on this forum mentioned Rao's sauce, tried it and was hooked, it is somewhat pricey, every once in awhile I will pick up a couple of the 32 oz jars when it goes on sale to keep on hand I like the Roasted Garlic sauce and doctor it up as well.

[cindyNC]

@SoCal Bred  Funny story.  I have a couple of Scilian friends in my former town of Rochester NY

Invited one of them for dinner and then realized I was serving them Italian food made with jarred sauce.  I was so embaressed.  Asked the wife how she made her sauce and she said Prego.  

[781Florist]

I know that all the "in the know" people (Ina Garten, Martha Stewart etc..) think that Rao's is the best jarred sauce, but while I like it just fine I think that Victoria marinara (I even think their low sodium is better than the regular!) is much better.

The taste is much more tomato forward and it lends itself to being customized to individual taste  better than Rao's which seems to have a lot more things in it.

I have also seen a few reviews that rave about Mutti (sp?)  but I haven't tried it yet.

[haddon9]

@PA Mom-mom @Calibeach 

I just got back from Costco and got my double pack of Rao's Marina sauce.  I also love Costco's organic Kirkland peanut butter.  Of course I got paper goods and a few items for the beach.

I always spend more than I expect at Costco so I try not to go too often.

[wagirl]

@Icegoddess --I tried their frozen lasagna and feel the same way--didn't like it. And I have made alfredo sauce before that was fine. Found an alfredo sauce at Trader Joes that is pretty good. I really dress it up tho. I can't make a red sauce no matter what, but I am a meat sauce girl too. 

[wagirl]

@jlkz --No BJs where I live and really, have never thought about using frozen ones before. I make my own, as mediocre as they are🥺. And OMG--I HATE rolling out meatballs!!! DD does that for me but I do cook them in my airfryer and they come out amazing!!! 

[SoCal Bred]

@cindyNC  

My sister-in-law married an Italian fella and has since been divorced for many years, her mother-in-law at the time showed her how to make marinara sauce from scratch which took hours just simmering.

Fast forward, she prefers using jarred Prego since she's just cooking for herself her kids are grown and out of the house, I asked her if she's tried Rao's sauce, she said she would the next time she goes grocery shopping, I'll have to remember to ask her the next time we talk.

[wifey2qt]

Honestly have never found a good froze meatball.....yet.  I make a large batch myself, and once cooked, freeze them. More economical and can't beat home made. 

[jlkz]

@wagirl 

DH likes to help with making batches of burgers and meatballs.  His trick:  he " mixes " the ingredients on a very large cookie tray and then creates a rectangle.  He creates a grid and then takes the "slice" out to quickly form it into burger or ball shape.  No rolling and rolling !

Hope it saves you time and energy !

[Boehm Collector]

@wagirl  and @wifey2qt  and @jlkz    My parents were born and raised in Italy.  So I grew up on home made sauces.  That being said, I only use Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce for turkey sandwiches I make with mozzarella and basil.  I make all my own pasta sauces.  That being said, we found some really good homemade Italian meatballs at Stew Leonard's.   When I buy them I put them in the freezer until I need them.  My SIL used to used jared pasta sauces like Prego, Ragu, etc when her girls were little.  I couldn't stand the smell.