Rao's Fans Sound Off About Potential Changes to Their Beloved Pasta Sauce
Not everyone has an Italian grandmother or time to play one and make fresh, homemade sauces for Sunday dinners. For years, people have found a worthy alternative in Rao's pasta sauces, but is that about to change?
Earlier this week, Campbell Soup announced that it is acquiring Sovos Brands, which also makes dry pastas, frozen pizzas and other food products, for about $2.7 billion, and fans were immediately worried for their beloved sauce.
Campbell's president and CEO, Mark Clouse, offered some hope.
“We’re not touching it! Anyone who thinks we’re going to touch the sauce, no,” Clouse said in an interview with CNBC.
Despite those words, it seems that Reddit still has concerns.
Why Do People Love Rao's Sauce?
Before we get to the fans, let's briefly talk about the sauce. The Rao's legacy traces its roots to Italy—immigrant Charles Rao came to the U.S. from Italy and opened a tavern in New York City at the turn of last century. In 1992, Rao's began selling their famous homemade sauces with tomatoes from Italy in grocery stores.
Fans loved that the fresh-and-flavorful sauces, made by Sovos Brands, didn't have water, added sugar, tomato paste or colors like other brands on the market. The fan-favorite sauce is widely available—including at stores like Whole Foods, Walmart and Target—and can cost up to $10 a jar. If you're a Costco member, you can usually get it for much less.
Related: Costco Is Selling a Massive Grazing Board, and It's Already Flying Off Shelves
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What Are Fans Saying About the Rao's Merger?
Let's start with the original poster (OP), who jumped right in. "RIP Raos — we loved you while you were good," they in the Costco subreddit. "Once that brand is "value engineered" down to nothingness, and the price doubled, I doubt we'll speak well of it."
The post got more than 3,000 upvotes and inspired 766 comments, which speaks to the sauce's large fan base. Some commenters were sad; others were snarky because: the Internet.
"Mmm, Mmm, good! 'You’ll love it because it’s your only choice' - Campbell’s Soup Co.," wrote one Redditor, referencing Campbell's iconic jingle with a side of sarcasm.
Others hinted they were about to start panic-buying Rao's pasta like it was toilet paper in 2020.
"Noooo," wailed a fan. "I need to stock up."
"Thanks for the heads up—now to buy a pallet," wrote another.
"How long do the jars last in a basement storage room?" one person asked, to which someone responded, "I think they’re good for at least 12 months, but you’re right, they probably already changed the recipe and what’s going out isn’t the original Rao’s."
Though it needs to be reiterated that Campbell's has committed to keeping the recipe the same, another skeptic speculated any changes would be made as part of a slow rollout.
"I don't expect Campbell's to royally mess up the formulas overnight," the person wrote. "It'll be a slow change. Although, once it does change, it'll become the worst investment for Campbell's."
One bright soul is more hopeful.
"I hope Campbell's and other brands can see that people will spend more to get quality no/low sugar foods," the person said.
Others have a far more grim outlook.
"I'm glad my father didn't live long enough to witness this tragedy," wrote one commenter.
Others went right into fix-it mode and already have game plans in mind.
"As a major backup, I'm thrilled I can easily get Mutti products at normal stores and sometimes Costco," a commenter said.
"It's cheaper to buy sauce from a bodega that will have been made that day," someone else offered.
Others were frankly already over the price tag and seeking other options.
"I saw it for 10 USD in my local grocery store for one jar," someone said. "I gasped."
"Agree! I always bought other brands because it was so spendy," another replied.
The commiseration continued.
"For real," agreed a poster. "We stopped buying it a while back due to cost. A good red sauce is easy and cheap to make."
Related: Nine Costco Food Court Items You Need to Try At Least Once
Homemade Pasta Sauce Options
And because Redditors can be both snarky and sympathetic, some of them dropped their favorite pasta sauce recipes right into the comments to soothe any Rao's upset. Would you be willing to give them a shot?
Related: Stanley Tucci's Famous Marinara Sauce
3(ish)-Ingredient Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
1 tsp. oregano
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
Meat or other veggies (optional)
Instructions
Toss into a pan.
Bring to a simmer.
Add meat or other items that you want.
Cool and store leftovers.
"That's what most bodegas do, just on a larger scale," the Redditor said of their go-to recipe.
Profitable Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
28 oz. can of whole peeled tomatoes
3 chopped garlic cloves
Olive oil
6 torn (not chopped) basil leaves
Instructions
Puree tomatoes with an immersion blender or food processor. "Better than crushed tomatoes," swears the Redditor.
Sautee three chopped garlic cloves in a skillet with desired olive oil for 1-2 minutes.
Add the pureed tomatoes and a half-dozen torn (not chopped) basil leaves.
Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
"Profit," the Redditor instructs
Speaking of profit, some Redditors aren't crying for Rao's, just themselves.
"Don't feel bad for Rao's," someone said. "I'm sure they got a nice payday out of it. We, on the other hand..."
...can make a profit off of one of the above sauces? A girl can dream.
