Angela Patrone, Senior Lifestyle Reporter at Express.co.uk, conducted a taste test comparing Sainsbury's cheapest and most expensive own-brand carbonara ready meals. The cheapest option, Sainsbury's Italian Style Spaghetti Carbonara, costs £3.75 for 400g (94p per 100g), while the most expensive, Sainsbury's Pancetta & Three Cheese Carbonara from the Taste the Difference range, costs £4.85 for 375g (£1.29 per 100g). The verdict: only the premium version is worth repurchasing.
Comparison of Ingredients and Preparation
Traditional Italian carbonara contains just four ingredients: eggs, pecorino cheese, pork cheek, and black pepper. However, most British supermarket versions add cream. The cheapest Sainsbury's carbonara uses bacon lardons, skimmed milk, and Regato cheese, while the premium version uses pancetta, whole milk, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Both can be cooked in the microwave in four minutes or in the oven in 30 minutes. Patrone chose the oven method for better results.
Italian Style Spaghetti Carbonara: Bland and Saucy
The Italian Style carbonara had a generous amount of bacon lardons, but the sauce-to-pasta ratio was off—too much sauce relative to pasta. The pasta was well-cooked, but the sauce was bland and lacked cheese flavour. Patrone rated it 6 out of 10, noting it was disappointing given that cheese is a key ingredient.
Pancetta & Three Cheese Carbonara: Superior Flavour
The Taste the Difference version had a better sauce-to-pasta ratio, though it seemed lacking in pancetta. The pasta was well-cooked, and the sauce had a far better flavour with a noticeable cheese taste. Patrone rated it 8 out of 10, stating that if she were to buy one again, it would be this one based on the flavour of the sauce.
Price Difference and Value
The price difference between the two is £1.10, with the premium version costing 35p more per 100g. Patrone concluded that the extra cost is justified by the superior taste and quality of ingredients.
