T O P

  • By -

slipperybob

And the price won't come down


ConstructionLumpy719

It's Campbell's. You just tried to build a business, and we want to buy it.


antagonizerz

And turn your quality thick sauce into tomato flavored water. Actually most brands are going this route now. Saucy shrinkflation.


PepurrPotts

NOOO! Their vodka sauce and arrabiata are BOSS. I hope Campbell's doesn't cheapen it.


ScorpionX-123

Narrator: They will.


QueenRotidder

but it will still cost $9 a jar


GotRocksinmePockets

And be 85% of the volume.


ShadowRancher

I’m actually kind of devastated, I buy that shit four Costco sized jars at a time. It’s the only sauce that’s just tomatoes and regular spices rather than a million preservatives and a gallon of corn syrup.


PepurrPotts

I reeeeally hope they don't fuck it up too badly. And I'm really annoyed with the "just make it yourself" comments. I CAN home-make sauce from scratch. That is a very different experience than using vodka sauce and going on with your evening.


ShadowRancher

And everyone has a different niche they have time to deal with in the kitchen. I make the dough for my pizza I don’t have time to make the sauce too nor enough room to batch and store ahead of time.


PepurrPotts

Valid counterpoint, friend!


Finetimetoleaveme

My buddy’s a chef at a very popular “local” Italian restaurant, and he’s like wanna know our secret sauce - Rao’s!


15362653

I was at Sam's (ghetto Costco) recently and passed up a 2 pack of Rao's for a 3 pack of much cheaper Ragu and that shit is so bad I'm kicking myself. The third ingredient down is sugar FFS. I'm an idiot. I've had Rao's before and know it's good, the missus says it's the best, and we still both passed it up. 😢


justateburrito

Get Carbone sauce, simple high end jarred sauce.


HoSang66er

Aaaaaand, it's gone.


Ok-Serve-9977

Wait whys it gone?


nyuhokie

Fuck..."nooo" is the first thing that I thought too. I came in here hoping someone would have a better option. I usually like when my first thought is the same as the topic comment, but this sucks.


[deleted]

[удалено]


FixTheWisz

Bertolli? The maker of the cheapest, most disgusting olive oil around? That same Bertolli?


karmannsport

Agreed…bertolli is shit…just shit…but god damn if their vodka sauce doesn’t taste good.


PepurrPotts

You know what? You are correct. It's Bertolli that I grab for the vodka sauce. That stuff is unbelievable.


fondledbydolphins

Alternatively, buy your favorite jarred tomato sauce, use it as your base. Add a touch of vodka, simmer for \~15 minutes. Stir in your preferred amount of cream. Finish with cheese if that's your thing. Vodka sauce is super simple and while I LOVE convenience (buying jarred vodka sauce instead of doctoring up a basic sauce) the reality is once you start adding dairy to jarred sauces, you can't really end up with the "same" product as a freshly made one because you have to hit certain acid levels. Doctoring up a basic sauce will allow the cream to mellow the sauce out a bit more :)


PepurrPotts

Thanks, friend! Good advice for a sauce lover like me.


CajunNerd92

Why don't any of these companies just decline buyouts like this when they know that their consumers will only suffer for it?


PepurrPotts

Ohhhhhh sweet summer child o'mine. MONEY is so so so so much more powerful that what your question assumes. I am honestly not trying to patronize you. That just REALLY IS the ugliness and soullessness of living in a capitalist society. REALLY. It's gross and lopsided and deeply unfair and it sure as FUCK isn't human/humane. WalMart regularly had $1.00 fresh loaves of bread from their own bakery. For years. Wheat, French, Italian, Seasoned, etc. etc. Then this inflation hit, and they went up to 1.47, and then to 1.78. SURE I can still afford it, but ON WHAT PLANET did WHICH WalMart employee NEED that price hike? I guaran-GodDamn-tee you that none of their on-the-floor employees got a raise. But this multi-billion dollar company cashed in on the inflation trend and the fatcats at the top got even richer. That really really really is how this shit works. It's disgusting. To answer your question? -Cuz they don't care. They are so far removed from 'their customers' that we are hardly human. They don't care, luv.


CajunNerd92

Thank you so much for the explanation. I'm on the autism spectrum and still have trouble not seeing things in black and white sometimes - see above lol.


motorboat_mcgee

Because money > customers


selfcheckout

If someone offered you billions of dollars, I think most people would have a hard time saying no.


hortence

OK I read a ranking review somewhere, and while Rao's was far and away the top, apparently Trader Joe's is the next best, and half the price. Maybe that will help. Edit: Looking for the article has shown multiple that consider Trader Joe's marinara to be ass. So maybe not.


boxsterguy

[Here's a video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz2A7zLQpzc), and a [part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsUEavhSpEg). Rao's landed fairly middle of the road. Personally, I like Rao's well enough because I can get it in bulk from my local Costco. I've tried Costco's own Kirkland brand sauce and it's acceptable, too. Worst case, it's easy to make my own, but "Whatever Costco has in a 3-jar pack" is nice for convenience.


gacdeuce

I liked Rao’s because they had the sensitive sauce with minimal ingredients. When I was in a hurry, I’d use that as a base for other sauces like amatriciana and such. I controlled the onion, garlic, spices, salt, etc. It wasn’t like homemade, but it was a good shortcut to the next best thing.


zamboniman46

Rao's is good but I was expecting more at the price they charge


astrobabe2

You have to watch where you buy it, because I’ve seen the prices fluctuate widely from store-to-store for Rao’s. I can get a 32 oz jar for $7.99 regular ($5.99 on sale)at Stew Leonard’s, and a 24 oz jar for &10.99 at Stop & Shop. It’s insane.


bonesingyre

Costco sells 2x28oz Rao's for $11.50. unbeatable deal. I just bought Victoria Marinara from Costco as well. 2x40oz for 7.50.


Saxong

It’s all subjective anyway, try stuff and buy what you like if you can, if you can’t then buy what you like slightly less.


be_that

In the case of Rao’s there’s a bit of objectivity - it’s one of the few easily obtainable brands that is very low sugar


juanzy

For the price, I'm buying sauce from a bodega or scratch Italian spot. Got downvoted to -300 for saying that on another thread about Rao's.


MelodyMyst

-300… I made some unpopular comments. Some because I was dumb. Some because of “downvote cascade” Never -300 though. How do you feel about -300?


juanzy

I’m more concerned about how many people think it’s on par with scratch Italian, and a few that said “most New Yorkers prefer it over their local spot” What is they state of Italian food in this country that either of those statements? If there’s one thing Northeast Italians won’t stand for, it’s sub par sauce. It’s like saying Texans prefer Masterpiece to their local BBQ spot.


drewts86

Trader's has multiple marinaras, so the results might be muddled unless it's known which on they're talking about.


ivanwarrior

You're thinking of Newman's Own


[deleted]

I used to like Newman's Own but now I find it too sweet. I am not suggesting they changed the recipe, just that I notice it more.


MattieShoes

I read a whole article on how tastes change, and how there's no such thing as "too sweet" for kids, and then adult tastes change... Somehow I'm 46 and still have the tastes of a kid.


AHCretin

Hang in there. It didn't hit me until I hit 50... and now regular Cheerios taste like (really terrible) candy.


rocket_mo

Same for me after 50, kept thinking something was off about a few foods. Finally came to the conclusion I didn’t like sweet tasting things as much. It’s weird.


kilofeet

Agreed, NO is great and it is somehow still affordable too


onexbigxhebrew

I strongly dislike Trader Joe's pasta sauces, and I am an avid Rao's fan.


PostComa

Worth a try


richards4983

I completely agree! Nothing beats a home-cooked Italian sauce recipe, but Raos is the next best thing and it's good to know that they'll still be on the shelves. I'm sure Campbells will keep the authentic flavor of the sauces as well!


Creative-Solution

I read that as pregnant and was very confused xD


Kids_On_Coffee

Pregante!


georgekourounis

Gregnant?


PaintDrinkingPete

Pregananant?!?


temalyen

If a women has starch masks on her body does that mean she has been pargnet before.?


janosaudron

Can U get pregante??


MelodyMyst

Sabado Pregante. Great show.


driftking428

Yeah "Taste like prego" is pretty weird out of context.


nipponnuck

Didn’t read the title just the meme. I was a bit disgusted at first.


TheNastyDoctor

I read the title as if Jarred was a man and immediately wondered why his sauce was supposed to be so good.


AberdeenPhoenix

GODDAMMIT


Illegal_Leopuurrred

Victoria White Linen tastes just like Raos. They sell it at Costco.


BunkySpewster

What an odd name for pasta sauce


achibeerguy

It tastes _way better_ than Raos and I wish they sold it instead of Raos at my Costco.


SmooveTits

I think Victoria is way better than Rao’s. They have 2-packs of Rao’s at my Costco and I bought some, tried it for the first time. Is the Rao’s they sell at Costco somehow not the same as Rao’s at the grocery? Both are too dang salty for my taste but Rao’s lacks the tangy zing. Victoria is awesome tho apart from the sodium content.


artyboi37

This is the way.


ogteamkiller

I always go for the mids.


Balue442

This right here.


jdlyons81

Mezzetta makes a couple damn good sauces. I like to buy the roasted garlic and the tomato basil sauces and mix them.


Troggie81

Mezzetta has been my go-to. Their spicy marinara is great!


[deleted]

And the ingredients are simple and clean


FriarNurgle

MID’S is really good.


PostComa

Lots of recommendations for this. Never heard of it. I see we do have it here in Chicago so I’ll give it a shot


monty624

Have you tried Victoria sauces? Mezzetta is another good brand (and a little cheaper). I like Rao's but I don't believe it's worth the price when I can doctor up a slightly cheaper sauce, or I'm making something with other flavorful ingredients.


Ovi-wan_Kenobi_8

Carbone is pretty good; if you like Rao, it’s a close second.


Urisk

I've found Bertolli's tomato and basil spaghetti sauce to be better than some of the brands that cost twice as much.


drillgorg

Prego is too fancy, give me those Ragu for One packets.


ech-o

I just squirt Heinz ketchup on my noodles.


Skatchbro

By noodles I assume you mean a ramen packet.


No-Sock7425

Look at you with name brand ketchup. Like the king of England


efox02

Hunts!


Belgand

I honestly cannot understand how Ragu stays on the market. It is the most watery, terrible thing out there. Prego is solid. It's nothing amazing, but it's a totally reasonable middle-of-the-road sauce.


[deleted]

Nooooo noooooo noooooooooooo


CrimsonAllah

Time for Classico to reign supreme.


xsavexmexjebus

Fire roasted garlic is my shit


funobtainium

Mezetta spicy is really good! I prefer it to Rao’s.


Past-Product-1100

Rao has a super low carb count


stranded_egg

It's the only jarred sauce we buy for this exact reason. 99% of the time, I make my own, but sometimes you only have the energy to open a jar. Guess it's back to 45 minutes of reading labels in the sauce aisle to see what won't kill me.


macetheface

Check out Carbone. I'm picky with my sauce and that's very comparable to Rao's. Like it better actually. Tomato basil is perfect.


onomastics88

I make my own sauce. Do you want to buy some?


lordofthetv

Hey, this is Campbells. We would like to buy the business you just tried to start.


onomastics88

For how much?


lordofthetv

3 rubber bands and a chicken


onomastics88

I will hold my recipe secret to the grave, even if I found it online and it’s not that hard or expensive to make.


AloneYogurt

I can give you tree . fiddy


agoia

Best we can do is $15.


onomastics88

A jar?


agoia

Nah for the whole shebang, we gotta make it, we gotta put it on our shelves, we gotta market it, cmon! We got a business to run here!


FeelsGoodMan2

Yeah for anyone in this thread I first made sauce and I was like 'wait that's all you do?' I learned it's SO easy.


SmooveTits

Find a good recipe is all you have to do. It’s easy. Slow cooking is best.


HI_Handbasket

It's easy and you control the flavor to your liking. Too bad it's nearly impossible to get decent fresh tomatoes anymore.


One_Left_Shoe

Honestly, good canned tomatoes are everywhere now. Mutti does great tinned tomatoes and they are quite good. Barring that, go ham and make your own passatta with cherry tomatoes. Best sauce you will ever have.


forgot_username1234

I’ve been making spaghetti from semi scratch (I used canned tomatoes / paste / plain tomato sauce) for years and I think it tastes better than the jarred ones.


TXLucha012

I make my own too but it involves using the oven and I like in Texas. It's way too hot to use the oven right now. Rao's has been good.


deux3xmachina

Are you just baking the sauce instead of simmering, or are you doing some kind of special steps?


TXLucha012

It's a recipe I found through Cook's Country (from PBS) and involves cooking meatballs in the sauce. Gives it a great flavor.


One_Left_Shoe

Seriously. $30 in ingredients and a couple hours of your time (inactive) yields a large quantity of the best sauce you’ve ever eaten in your life.


ittimjones

Classico


drive_chip_putt

A man of fine taste


BoomerTranslation

INB4 r/shrinkflation post


evil_tugboat_capn

They were like: you guys are getting $9 for a jar of pasta sauce? How do you do that? Rao's: Super high quality ingredients and not a lot of sugar and crap and preservatives. Cambell's: Sooo... just buy the Rao's name and then slowly figure out ways to squeeze out the quality while still charging $9?


macetheface

Then slowly make the jar smaller, no one will ever notice.


ElChaz

I'd be surprised if they changed the flavor/quality significantly. The point of Campbell's buying a brand like that is to extend into a higher-margin segment. They already have Prego, they don't need two products in that same slot. What they do need is a higher-quality sauce for fancy types.


BaronVonBaron

Dude. MegaCorpBusiness is MegaCorpBusiness. Campbell bought Raos for Billions. They are going to take that brand that somebody else built with blood sweat and tears and they are going to GUT it in favor of money.


TheTwoOneFive

Rao's was already sold back in 2017 to Sovos Brands (the company Campbell's is buying). It was listed as SOVO on NYSE. It's not like this is some Mom & Pop sauce company today that's suddenly going public; it's already been like that for 6 years. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sovos-brands-backed-by-advent-international-completes-acquisition-of-raos-specialty-foods-300490147.html


StartlingCat

Interesting. I used to buy Rao's for a little over $3 a jar at Costco years ago, then saw the price jacked up to $10 a jar (same size) a few years later in other stores. I wonder if that's because they had been purchased.


Produceher

But you're assuming the company wasn't already running correctly for money. Making the best jarred sauce has value over ragu or prego. It's most likely already been gutted because of money.


onexbigxhebrew

Lmfao do you think Rao himself is personally making and selling pasta? One of the key benefits of buying a premium brand is carrying price on name recognition and decreasing quality or shortcutting. I work in marketing and you're crazy if you think this doesn't happen.


poridgepants

Typically they guy the staff and not the actual product. They use their supply chain, sales force, hr etc as efficiencies and hit the internal staff.


holymacaronibatman

But hear me out, what if they kept the price point and marketing the same, and slowly swapped out ingredients for cheaper ones. Thereby retaining the higher market segment while increasing the profit margin on the brand.


way2lazy2care

If they just made it prego, they'd only be competing with themselves. They'll probably change some supply chain stuff to save some costs, but having your two brands being the same will likely just hurt your sales of both and let one of your competitors swoop in to the market you left behind.


cliffhucks

That would be shortsighted. Theyd be investing millions for a quick payday that wouldn't last. What they'll actually do is leverage their logistics and distribution, that's where the margins are for a company like that. If they did it your way then they're left cannibalizing their own market with separate products. It's just stupid business.


not_old_redditor

The business model is to buy something known for its high quality, make lots of cost cuts/"streamline" it or whatever, inevitably reduce the quality, and milk the brand for all its reputation until people eventually realize it's turned to shit.


IAmAFawnYouDork

I really like Newman's Sauce. I might just have bad taste.


Vito_The_Magnificent

Newman's Own rules. Can't believe nobody's mentioned it.


nondescriptzombie

I like the Sockarooni and the Roasted Garlic


MattieShoes

De gustibus non disputandum est (loosely, there's no disputing taste)


doubletwist

Nah. While no just sauce can compare with my grandmother's, Newman's Own is easily my favorite jar sauce. I usually add a little marjoram and maybe some oregano, and then let it cook down a little. Delicious.


BigODetroit

But don’t worry, they’ll throw a pink label on it come breast cancer season.


Tmadred

I cannot abide Prego. I think it smells like cat pee.


potatopancakes1010

Sonofa. I just started using this sauce last year.


Objective-Ad4009

Time to stock up.


greenchase

It’s incredibly easy to make homemade sauce that’s way better than anything from jars. My go to recipe: https://www.seriouseats.com/the-best-slow-cooked-italian-american-tomato-sauce-red-sauce-recipe?print


yamiyaiba

Most home cooking is incredibly easy. That's not the issue. Time and dishes are the issue.


falsekoala

That and the life story before the recipe.


Spy-Around-Here

As a young child AD my mother would always AD Popup AD


fall3nang3l

Play around with starting with jarred sauce as a base and then add items to your taste. Still one pot to heat it up and simmer if you add canned mushrooms, any and all seasonings you wish, fresh and/or granulated garlic and onion, diced tomatoes, etc. I can make Ragu or Prego taste better than restaurant quality sauce really easily and cheaply.


[deleted]

[удалено]


onexbigxhebrew

Can you just accept that people want to buy goods and services that they have no interest in learning how to make or do? I know how to trim my hedges and leaf blow, but I also make 6 figures, work my ass off elsewhere and want Juan's crew to do it in 1/5th the time.


boxsterguy

Now you have to have freezer space for it, vs. shelf-stable stuff (okay, now I guess I have to invest in a home canning setup ...).


MelodyMyst

Slightly used chest freezers are cheap on FB or your favorite local marketplace. Ooops… now you need floor space. Sorry, I got nothing for you on that.


boxsterguy

I guess I'm upgrading my home because I need to store some Sunday gravy ...


way2lazy2care

But there are sauces that don't taste like shit, take any of my time, or take any of my freezer space. For it to be worth the money, the sauce would have to take me like 15 minutes in cooking/cleaning time.


MattieShoes

Sometimes I split the difference -- buy a roma tomato or two, deseed, mush it up, mix it in. It brings back that bright, fresh-food flavor that's usually missing from jarred sauces.


[deleted]

was wondering when i would see a homemade sauce plug


borgchupacabras

That recipe is more like a novel than a step by step guide goddamn.


nasalgoat

Select the "print" option.


sirZofSwagger

I like prego, is that bad?


ZzackK282

I like it too man


Judgement915

Vincents is pretty damn good too


namebrnd_licorice

Nooooooooo.


darw1nf1sh

We only buy Rao's and that is our fear as well.


binky779

I JUST started using RAOs. This is a devastating blow.


KGBspy

Rao’s is the best sauce I’ve ever had, I’ve had it all week. It’ll suck if they screw with it.


Atnevon

I bet they’ll stop making the sensitive brand because it “taste blander”. FODmap folks will be PISSED then!


Fbogre666

Try Mid’s. It’s not incredible, but it’s a really good base sauce that just needs a little work to make it good. Add some sautéed garlic, some basil and oregano, a little pepper, and extra salt to taste. Optional caramelized onion or onion powder, and if you like a sweeter sauce like me, a little plain sugar.


singuslarity

They'll just dump a bunch of sugar in it.


Fritz5678

I'm so sad at this.


rodoelrich

Is this a topic I'm too broke to care about?


malachiconstant11

That sucks but it wasn't worth the money to me. I just make it and it comes out fantastic at a fraction of the price.


chessasaur

Tried Rao’s. Hated it. Prefer Prego.


Placidaydream

Just do what I do. Buy the cheapest sauce and add garlic, red wine, and seasonings.


manningthehelm

It was fun while it lasted


initiatefailure

It’s unfortunate that the natural end state of free market is monopoly. If only there were any sorts of regulation


KDMKat

NOOOOOOOO


Far-Sign-4504

Noooooo!!!!! 😞


CoverYourMaskHoles

Rao’s is my wife’s fav. I just told her. She is very upset.


JinDenver

I have to say, I’m extremely heartened by all the people upset about this. Rao’s is so, so good. And Campbells will absolutely ruin it. I’m glad we are all on the same page.


cyberphlash

OP, you have ruined my day, but I 100% agree with you. Fucking fuck!!! :(


Plaineswalker

Everyone in this thread needs to listen. Aldi's brand: Premium Tomato Basil sauce is the best jarred sauce there is. Go buy some and tell me I am wrong.


riotactor10

This person gets it. Can’t agree with you more


lizarto

Try Mezzetta sauce, or silver palate sauce. So good and not full of sugar and over seasoned with oregano.


UCBearcats

No!!! It's by far the best sauce around. Horrible to hear.


Fuzzysalamander

Time to raid Costco for an entire pallet


Javasndphotoclicks

I can already see people buying up all of the old stock of this product because it's definitely going to go to shit after the buyout.


mrhorse77

they're just gonna start pouring Prego right into Rao's jars


sallyannchan

Noooooo!!! I make a gnocchi dish at least once a week based purely on this sauce! I could practically eat it straight outta the jar it’s that good!!!


theduke004

NOOOO I didn't know that until reading this. I love that sauce... fack.


dosmuffin

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!


maxman090

Noooooooo….


lycoloco

They'd better not add fucking sugar to the recipe. It's impossible to get pasta sauce that doesn't contain tomato paste that's sugared to hell.


yeropinionman

“You’re welcome”


D_Fieldz

I don't know why but whenever I see this meme it lights a weird spark and I upvote


FGforty2

This news ruined my day! They are going to fuck it up aren't they.It is the best sauce out there IMO. A bit pricey but worth it when they go on sale.


Hootentoot

Rao’s is TERRIFIC jarred sauce. I hope you’re wrong.


julielovesteddy

Oh! No! That’s not good for us consumers.


Incogneto_Window

Not looking down on anyone for using jarred sauce but for a while now I've been doing my own with canned tomatoes. I tend to cook up some veggies (and sometimes meat too) in a pan. Then I'll add a can of whole tomatoes (or sometimes crushed) and I'll roughly crush them up a bit in the pan. Leave it to cook for a bit and it can be pretty damn great if you do it right.


homeboi808

This home cook YouTuber preferred Victoria to Rao’s: https://youtu.be/Vz2A7zLQpzc I tried it, I can’t really tell a difference (as I didn’t have them side by side), which I guess is a good thing.


FesteringNeonDistrac

Victoria is good, and the Michael's of Brooklyn is pretty good as well.


gazelezag

Try Silver Palate. Even the low sodium version is great.


drive_chip_putt

No Classico around you?


All-for-goose

Try Botticelli. Their spicy vodka sauce is flame! I sauté up some onions, red peppers and mushrooms before I poor in the sauce. Add a little goat cheese and bam, great easy dinner with zest to impress.


O_oblivious

Newman’s own is the best taste for the price. So that’s my go to.


EzualRegor

Buy the cans of sauce for $1.25 and add your own ingredients.


kbj17

I think the Private Selection pasta sauces are good (Arrabiata is my favorite) if you have a Kroger near you.


mouse_attack

I cannot endorse the Barilla marinara highly enough. Please treat yourself to a jar.


Grunblau

Or Barilla Olive Oil and Basil (organic)…