I spend a lot of time in grocery stores in my dual role as a parent and professional recipe developer. A supermarket stop is never just an in-and-out affair, because I stroll slowly through each aisle, eyeing new products and checking prices on my go-to groceries. I make sure to shop at stores of all sizes, from big-box warehouses to local natural grocers, and one of my favorite places to shop is Aldi.
Aldi is a quirky discount grocer that is full of unexpected surprises. You need a quarter to release the shopping carts; the store’s small staff keeps check-out lines moving, thanks to elongated barcodes and a bag-your-own policy; and the store’s aesthetic is bare-bones.
These features help Aldi keep prices low, making it the best place to shop when budget is as important as quality. Last week as I zipped through the store and, when picking up almond milk for my morning coffee and pasta for dinner, I spotted something shocking. It was a pallet of brand-name pasta sauce that, until now, I had never seen at Aldi: Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce.
What Makes Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce So Great?
Rao’s marinara sauce has earned a loyal following among Kitchn staffers and readers alike. The brand is a repeat winner in Kitchn Essentials and topped the charts in an extensive canned and jarred tomato taste test. The sauce is as close to homemade as you can get in a jar, with a short ingredient list: tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt, garlic, basil, black pepper, and oregano. The sauce is well-balanced — neither too sweet nor too acidic.
At other grocery stores, a jar of Rao’s can cost close to $10, so the $6.88 price tag at Aldi stopped me in my tracks. I grabbed multiple jars, and I suggest that you do the same.
Find it in stores: Rao’s Homemade Marinara or Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, $6.88 for 24 ounces
Have you seen Rao’s at your local Aldi? Tell us in the comments below.