Mutti Tomato Pasta Sauce with Basil took the top spot in a taste test of five branded pasta sauces from UK supermarkets, scoring 10/10 for its flavour and value for money.
Sophie Harris, Senior Lifestyle Reporter, tested jars from Heinz, Loyd Grossman, Dolmio, Filippo Berio and Mutti to determine whether paying more makes a genuine difference in taste.
Heinz and Loyd Grossman scores
Heinz Sun-Ripened Cherry Tomato And Basil Pasta Sauce (£2 for 350g) scored 4/10. The sauce was tasty for those who enjoy intense basil, but the tomato flavour was too acidic for the reporter's palate. It fed three people and had the correct sauce-to-pasta balance, though she would not buy it again.
Loyd Grossman Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce (£3 for 350g) scored 7/10. The jar stated it serves two to three people, and it comfortably achieved that. The ingredients tasted more genuine than some others, but the flavour was understated. She would purchase it again only if the price were reduced.
Dolmio and Filippo Berio results
Dolmio Stir In Pasta Sauce Tomato & Basil (£1.50 for 150g) scored 7/10. Unable to locate large jars at a local Tesco, the stir-in pot was the next best option. The sauce had a pleasant, mild flavour with subtle basil, and it blended effortlessly through pasta, though it felt lacking in quantity for two portions.
Filippo Berio Basilico Pasta Sauce (£2.65 for 340g) scored 6/10. Neither the tomato nor the basil came through strongly, leaving it tasting rather bland. The ingredient list was impressive, with no added preservatives and tomato as the primary component.
Mutti takes the top spot
Sainsbury's own-brand pasta sauce scored 6/10. For the price point, it was reasonably enjoyable, but the basil was slightly too dominant. A pinch of salt and sugar would help balance the flavours.
Mutti Tomato Pasta Sauce with Basil (£3.20 for 400g) scored 10/10. The sauce was vibrant and full of flavour, with a perfect basil-to-tomato balance. It served four people with sauce to spare, and the reporter found the price reasonable for the quantity. The sauce had a deep, intense colour and tasted the most homemade of all the sauces sampled.
One customer on the Tesco website wrote: "Love all the Mutti range, and this was no exception. So flavoursome. I will definitely buy it again." Another commented: "Delicious sauce. Can really taste the quality ingredients. Quite expensive but worth it for the taste." A third added: "This is a fantastic pasta sauce and works wonders when you're in a rush to make your own sauce from scratch."
