Aldi’s $4.29 Marinara Sauce: Is It Really as Good as Rao’s? Redditors Think So!

It wasn’t my intention to switch up my family’s go-to pasta sauce, but one hectic evening at Aldi, caught between school pickup and soccer practice, I couldn’t spot our usual Rao’s sauce. Holding Priano’s pasta and a bread loaf in one hand and broccoli in the other, I hastily picked up a jar from where the Rao’s should have been—a jar of Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Marinara Sauce. It was half the price of Rao’s, so I figured, why not give it a try?

At dinner, I was a bit anxious. Would my discerning daughter, a fan of Rao’s, realize the switch in tonight’s meal? To my relief and joy, not only did she ask for more, but she also complimented the meal! And indeed, it was scrumptious. Surprisingly, it tasted very similar to the meals I prided myself on making with Rao’s sauce.

After numerous purchases, I am convinced that Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Marinara is an excellent stand-in for Rao’s, consistently priced at just $4.29 at my local Aldi. Some die-hard Rao’s fans even speculate that this more affordable version is actually Rao’s masquerading under a different label.

Why Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Marinara is a Favorite

Much like Rao’s, the Specially Selected Premium Marinara is crafted from a blend of whole and crushed tomatoes, olive oil, onions, and a few seasonings like salt, pepper, and oregano, without any added sugar or overpowering herbs—perfect for my taste and kid-friendly too. The sauce boasts a purely tomato flavor, ideal for those who appreciate homemade sauce crafted from canned tomatoes when time allows.

We frequently enjoy it on pasta nights, whether plain or jazzed up with sausage or ground beef. It’s also great for making pizza rolls for the kids’ lunchboxes and as a quick tomato soup base paired with grilled cheese sandwiches during unexpected meal gaps.

Could Aldi’s Marinara Really Be Rao’s Under a Different Name?

Despite numerous online discussions suggesting that Aldi’s sauce is merely rebranded Rao’s, there’s no concrete evidence to confirm this. One user on Reddit pointed out that both brands previously shared a manufacturer for their sauce production and distribution.

However, last year, that manufacturer, Sovos Brand, was acquired by Campbell’s. It’s now unlikely that Aldi and Rao’s sauces are still coming from the same facility, and neither brand has publicly commented on the speculation.

Whether it’s a clever disguise or simply a high-quality alternative, Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Marinara is where I choose to invest my pasta sauce budget for both value and taste that my family enjoys.

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