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Of all the years I lived in New York City, I was never able to snag a table at the elusive Rao’s in East Harlem. I tried many times, but never scored a highly coveted seat to try the legendary meatballs. However, that hasn’t stopped me from being completely loyal to their iconic jarred marinara sauce, which doesn’t require an impossible reservation to enjoy.
I’m married to an Italian American, and using store-bought marinara sauce is a big no-no, but as a cook, I know my limits. I’ve been doing this long enough to know when I can make something from scratch and when it’s better and easier to buy it from the store. It turns out I’m in very good company—even Ina Garten’s a fan.
Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce
Price: $6.99 for one 24-ounce jar (prices may vary)
Why I Love It: It delivers the rich, balanced flavor of a long-simmered sauce without any of the work, and my whole family actually agrees on it.
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Why This Store-Bought Marinara Sauce Is Ina’s Favorite
I can say without a doubt that Rao’s marinara is far better than anything I could simmer on my stovetop. Plus, now that my kids are old enough to have an opinion, they will loudly protest if they don’t see the familiar jar. After years of debate, even my husband has finally admitted that there is no topping the taste of Rao’s. We use it for everything: as a go-to quick meal for the kids, to bake our meatballs, and for our family pizza night every Friday.
Ina agrees that Rao’s is worth buying. “I think you can spend the entire day making good marinara sauce, or you can buy Rao’s Marinara sauce, which I think is just fantastic,” the Barefoot Contessa told Bon Appétit. Ina is known for recommending the “good” stuff, and while it makes for good fodder on the internet, it makes a lot of sense.
Sure, Rao’s is a bit more expensive than your average grocery store marinara, but not by much. An inferior store-bought sauce can be acidic, oddly sweet, and lacking in the fresh tomato flavor that Rao’s is known for. Plus, if you are going to spend the time and money to make lasagna, a pasta bake, or even homemade pizza, using a good sauce makes a world of difference.
Consider it an investment in your dinner. The ingredients are incredibly high-quality, with no fillers or preservatives—just Italian whole-peeled tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt, garlic, basil, black pepper, and oregano.
The high-quality ingredients and simple yet elevated flavor are what make it Ina-approved and a favorite among food editors and the team here at Simply Recipes. I usually stock my pantry with Rao’s from Costco, which sells a two-pack of 28-ounce jars for about $13.
Rao’s is also carried in many different grocery stores nationwide, and you can stock up when it’s on sale, which happens frequently at Whole Foods for Prime members. Bonus: The wide-mouth jars make a perfect home to a sourdough starter—because cooking is all about balancing the homemade with the store-bought.
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Dining and Cooking