+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Home Newsletters Next Share

I tried the store-bought, jarred pasta sauce from 2 iconic NYC restaurants and think the cheaper one makes a better pantry staple

Rachel AskinasiJun 18, 2022, 17:54 IST

Rao's (left) and Carbone (right) sauces on penne pasta.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

I compared tomato basil sauce from Carbone and Rao's respective retail brands.
Rao's was tasty and versatile, but it was a little too thin to feel luxurious over pasta.

Advertisement

Rao's and Carbone are two iconic New York City restaurants that also sell jarred sauces in stores.

Carbone (left) and Rao's (right) restaurants in New York City.Gotham/Contributor/Getty Images and Bobby Bank/Contributor/Getty Images

While each brand makes a variety of sauces, I chose to compare the delicious but basic tomato basil option.

Rao's sauce (left) and Carbone sauce (right).Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Advertisement

Rao's sauce is always my go-to when I find it on sale.

A jar of Rao's tomato basil sauce.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The sauce from this Harlem eatery is flavorful when eaten on its own.

A look inside the Rao's tomato sauce jar.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Advertisement

It pairs well with a flavorful pasta, but much of the sauce ended up pooling at the bottom of my bowl.

Rao's tomato basil sauce on penne.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

I recently tried the sauce from Carbone for the first time.

A jar of Carbone tomato basil sauce.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Advertisement

The West Village-based eatery makes a thicker sauce that I thought felt like more of a restaurant item.

A look inside the Carbone tomato sauce jar.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

This sauce clung to each pasta piece more intentionally, and I wasn't left with the same soupy pool.

Carbone tomato basil sauce on penne.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Advertisement

I'll stick to stocking up on Rao's, but I'm glad to know that I can use Carbone sauce for special occasions.

I loved both sauces.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Next Story

I tried Kylie Jenner's favorite way to eat instant ramen, with butter and eggs, and I'd make it again — but next time I'll watch my measurements

Copyright @ 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.