If you love pasta, you know that sauce is the key to a great dish. When it comes to marinara sauce, there are so many options available: canned, bottled, fresh, homemade. But which one is the best? To find out, I decided to blind taste test three popular marinara sauces: Rao’s, Carbone, and my own homemade version. Here’s what I found.
The Contenders
Rao’s is a classic Italian-American brand that has been beloved since 1896. The brand claims to use only natural ingredients, including whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, onions, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. It has a loyal fan base and is renowned for being one of the best canned sauces on the market. A 24-ounce jar of sauce costs approximately $8.
Carbone is a newer brand launched in 2019 by the owner of the renowned New York restaurant of the same name. The brand promises the same authentic flavor and quality as the restaurant’s signature sauce, made with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. A 24-ounce jar of sauce costs approximately $10.
Homemade sauce, as the name suggests, is made from scratch. I followed a simple recipe from Bon Appétit magazine, which requires canned whole tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and basil. The preparation takes approximately 45 minutes and yields about four cups of sauce. The total cost of all ingredients is approximately $5.
The Method
I cooked one pound of pasta and divided it into three bowls. I heated each sauce separately and poured it over the pasta, ensuring the sauce was evenly distributed. I labeled the three bowls A, B, and C, then mixed them up.
I invited two friends to join me for a taste test. Each of us tasted a bite of each bowl of pasta without knowing which sauce corresponded to which bowl. We rated each sauce on a scale of 1 to 5 for taste, texture, and overall impression, and wrote down our comments. We then revealed the true identities of the sauces and compared the scores and opinions.
The Results
Here are the average scores and some of the comments for each sauce:
Sauce A: Rao’s
- Taste: 4.3
- Texture: 4
- Overall: 4.3
- Comments:
- Rich, balanced, and smooth
- Savory, sweet, and slightly tangy
- A bit oily, but not in a bad way
- Classic and comforting
Sauce B: Carbone
- Taste: 3.7
- Texture: 3.3
- Overall: 3.7
- Comments:
- Spicy, herbaceous, and complex
- Chunky, fresh, and vibrant
- A bit acidic and bitter
- Bold and exciting
Sauce C: Homemade
- Taste: 4
- Texture: 3.7
- Overall: 4
- Comments:
- Simple, clean, and bright
- Light, smooth, and velvety
- A bit bland and watery
- Easy and satisfying
The Winner
This was a closely contested battle, but the champion of the marinara sauce showdown is… Rao’s! It scored the highest marks in all categories and received the most positive feedback. This sauce is the most versatile and versatile, with a rich, layered flavor and smooth texture. Additionally, it is the easiest sauce to use, as it can be used straight from the jar.
Carbone came in second place, offering the most unique and flavorful sauce. It is bold and spicy, with a taste that closely resembles restaurant-style sauce. However, it is also the most polarizing sauce, with some finding its flavor too intense for their taste buds.
Homemade sauce ranks third, being the most natural and healthiest option. It has a simple, fresh taste that best reflects the characteristics of homemade cooking. However, it is also the most time-consuming and labor-intensive sauce, lacking the rich layers and complex flavors of other sauces.
There is no one right way to make marinara sauce. It all depends on your personal preferences, mood, and budget. Sometimes, you might want a quick and easy sauce that you can heat up and serve. Other times, you might want something more adventurous and complex to add flavor to your pasta. Occasionally, you might want to make your own sauce from scratch and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
But no matter which sauce you choose, a bowl of pasta paired with a glass of wine is always a winning combination. That’s the ultimate comfort food, and that’s what matters most. Enjoy your meal!
Related posts:
Best Store Bought Pasta Sauce: Rao’s vs Carbone Showdown – Cheapism
The Best Store-Bought Marinara Isn’t the One You’re Thinking Of
You shared your favorite marinara sauces. We tested them against … – MSN
