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Rao’s Homemade Creamy Marinara and Lemon Parmesan Sauces
- Availability: Currently available online and at select Whole Foods stores; rolling out at stores nationwide
- Why I Love It: Rao’s sauces are even better than homemade. The new Creamy Marinara uses mascarpone for a rich finish, and the Lemon Parmesan promises to be bright and tangy, perfect for summer meals.
I’ve always been the kind of home cook who swore by making my own marinara sauce. “It’s so simple,” I would tell my friends. I just chopped garlic, sautéed it in a little olive oil, added tomato puree, and stewed it for as long as I could. Then, I threw in fresh, homegrown basil at the end. But then I tried Rao’s Homemade.
I don’t remember what compelled me to first buy a jar of the high-end sauce. It was probably the historic New York City restaurant’s reputation for being almost impossible to score a reservation at. I’d always been curious about the quality of Rao’s product, given the restaurant’s notoriety.
At first bite, the Homemade Marinara—the brand’s flagship sauce—proved to be better balanced than my own tangy sauce. As I explored Rao’s offerings over the years, I found even more to love. The Roasted Garlic sauce became my go-to for its soft-edged allium funk that reminded me of my recipe. The Tomato Basil is a winner, too, with an herbaceous freshness I appreciate.
Simply Recipes / Rao’s Specialty Foods
Why I Can’t Wait To Try Rao’s New Sauces
Now, I’m excited to try the latest from my go-to for an easy pasta dinner. The pair of new sauces is available at select Whole Foods locations and online at raos.com, but will soon be sold across the United States.
Rao’s Homemade Creamy Marinara Sauce with Mascarpone Cheese uses the Italian-style cream cheese to add a light touch of dairy richness to the tomato sauce. A bit of salty Parmigiano Reggiano and sheep’s milk Pecorino Romano makes the combination even cheesier.
As an eater who craves acidic flavors, I’m even more excited about the Lemon Parmesan Sauce. Parmigiano Reggiano is a major component of the sauce, but it’s the lemon zest and lemon juice that have my mouth watering. The combination of umami and citrusy zing is sure to be a favorite for the upcoming warm months.
For cooks who appreciate a great pasta sauce, it’s worth keeping an eye on the latest launches from Rao’s Homemade. I can’t wait to get my hands on these tasty new innovations.
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