Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman, is known for her delicious, down-home recipes. Her cooking show and blog feature a wide variety of dishes, from breakfast favorites to hearty dinner entrees. One recipe that Drummond prepares on a regular basis is homemade marinara sauce. But when she doesn’t have time to whip up a batch from scratch, what brand of store-bought marinara does she rely on?
Ree Drummond’s Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
In many of her cooking videos and on her website, Drummond provides her recipe for a thick, rich “Sunday Gravy” marinara sauce. It’s made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and plenty of fresh basil. She notes that it goes perfectly with pasta or her Chicken Parmesan.
To make Ree’s homemade marinara sauce, you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Here are the step-by-step instructions according to Ree:
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add both cans of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes along with the tomato paste. Stir to combine.
- Add the chopped basil, salt, and pepper and stir again.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The longer it cooks, the thicker it will become.
- Remove from heat and adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with more fresh basil.
Ree notes that this makes a large batch, enough to use immediately and freeze a few bags for later. She recommends letting it cool completely before freezing in plastic freezer bags. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Ree Drummond’s Favorite Store-Bought Marinara Sauce
When Ree Drummond doesn’t have time to make her homemade marinara sauce, she has a favorite brand she relies on – Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce.
Here’s why Ree is a fan of Rao’s sauce:
- It’s made with high-quality ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt, and spices. No sugar added.
- The texture is thick and creamy, similar to her homemade sauce.
- The flavor is delicious and fresh, with bright tomato taste.
- It’s ready to heat and serve, saving her time in the kitchen.
- The company offers traditional, organic, and sensitive recipe options.
Ree has mentioned Rao’s marinara sauce several times on The Pioneer Woman show when she needs a store-bought sauce for cooking. She’s incorporated it into recipes like Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet, Italian Meatball Bake, and Tortellini Vegetable Soup.
In an interview with Delish magazine, Ree said, “I discovered Rao’s marinara at my local gourmet grocery store, and I’m so glad I did. It’s fantastic! The flavor is vibrant and fresh, and the texture is just right. I love that they don’t add any sugars or preservatives.”
How Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce is Made
Rao’s marinara sauce was first created in 1896 by Italian immigrant Nicholas Rao. The company remains family-owned and operated in East Harlem, New York using Nicholas Rao’s original recipes. Their sauce contains only simple, natural ingredients.
To make one 28-ounce jar of Rao’s marinara sauce, here is the process:
- Start with vine-ripened, crushed tomatoes picked at peak freshness. No paste or concentrate.
- Slowly simmer with olive oil, onions, salt, and spices in small batches.
- Cook uncovered for a rich, thick sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasonings until perfect balance is achieved.
That’s it – no preservatives, artificial flavors, added sugar or colors. Just simple, natural ingredients for a fresh tomato sauce flavor. Rao’s also makes cheese and meat sauces using the same approach with high quality ingredients.
Where to Buy Rao’s Marinara Sauce
Rao’s marinara and other pasta sauces are sold in grocery stores nationally and online. Here’s where you can find it:
- Grocery stores – Sold at Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Target, Whole Foods, and more. Find it with other pasta sauces.
- Amazon – Available for delivery through Amazon Prime, Subscribe & Save, and Amazon Fresh.
- Online direct – Order direct from the Rao’s website and get 20% off first purchase.
- Store locator – Use the store locator tool on Rao’s website to find a local retailer.
Rao’s offers their traditional marinara sauce in these sizes:
| Package Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 8 oz jar | $3.99 – $5.99 |
| 16 oz jar | $5.49 – $7.99 |
| 24 oz jar | $6.99 – $9.99 |
| 28 oz jar | $7.49 – $11.99 |
| 64 oz jar | $14.99 – $19.99 |
They also offer organic, sensitive, and garden marinara varieties. Prices may be higher than traditional.
How to Use Rao’s Marinara Sauce
Rao’s marinara sauce is versatile for many Italian recipes. Here are some of the ways Ree Drummond and other home cooks use it:
- Toss with pasta – use instead of plain tomato sauce for pasta dishes
- Pizza sauce – spread over homemade or store-bought pizza crust
- Chicken parmesan – use as sauce for chicken, veal, or eggplant parmesan
- Lasagna – layer between noodles and cheeses for easy lasagna
- Meatballs – heat cooked meatballs in marinara for appetizer or entree
- Soup – add to minestrone, tomato basil, or other soups
A few easy recipe ideas using Rao’s marinara sauce:
Shrimp Scampi Skillet
Sauté shrimp in olive oil with garlic, lemon juice, white wine, and Rao’s sauce. Toss with pasta and parsley.
Sausage & Peppers Sheet Pan Dinner
Roast sausage, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and tomato sauce on a sheet pan. Serve with crusty bread or over pasta.
Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Fill large pasta shells with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh herbs. Cover with sauce and bake.
Rao’s Vs. Other Popular Marinara Sauce Brands
How does Rao’s compare to other leading jarred pasta sauce brands? Here is a head-to-head matchup:
| Brand | Ingredients | Flavor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rao’s | Vine-ripened tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt | Robust, fresh tomato taste | $$$$ |
| Prego | Tomato puree, sugar, vegetable oil | Mild, slightly sweet | $ |
| Classico | Tomato puree, olive oil, carrots, onion | Well-balanced with some herb flavor | $$ |
| Barilla | Tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt | Bright tomato flavor | $$$ |
While Rao’s is on the pricier side, fans feel the quality ingredients and flavor make it worthwhile for special occasions and recipes.
Customer Reviews of Rao’s Marinara Sauce
Rao’s iconic marinara sauce earns consistently high ratings and rave reviews online. Here’s what home cooks are saying:
Positive Reviews
- “The flavor is so fresh – tastes like I used garden ripe tomatoes! It’s so good I literally eat it by the spoonful.”
- “This is by far the best jarred marinara I’ve ever tried. Well worth the price for the quality.”
- “My homemade sauce recipe takes hours. I now use Rao’s sauce when I’m short on time but don’t want to sacrifice flavor.”
- “This sauce is perfect when I want that thick, rich Italian taste. You can tell it’s made with quality ingredients.”
- “The only jarred sauce I’ll buy now. Yes, it’s more expensive but so worth it for special meals and company.”
Critical Reviews
- “I didn’t think the flavor was any better than cheaper brands I can buy. Not worth the extra cost in my opinion.”
- “It was good but I honestly couldn’t tell much difference from other quality pasta sauces I’ve tried.”
- “The flavor was fine but I didn’t think it was amazing. I probably won’t buy again due to the high price.”
While not everyone feels it’s worth the higher cost, most reviews of Rao’s are overwhelmingly positive. Customers continue to buy it for the natural ingredients, thick texture, and fresh tomatoey taste.
Conclusion
When Ree Drummond is looking for a quality store-bought marinara sauce, her go-to brand is Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce. Made with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, onions, and spices, Rao’s delivers a flavor similar to homemade. While it is on the expensive side, Ree and many home cooks feel it’s worth the cost for the fresh, thick, rich taste. Rao’s versatility also makes it easy to use in everything from pastas and pizzas to soups, meatballs, and casseroles. So if you’re a fan of Drummond and The Pioneer Woman, try using Rao’s marinara sauce to bring that homemade flavor to your kitchen.