Model-turned-food-blogger-turned-cookbook-author-turned-Lip-Sync-Battle-co-host Chrissy Teigen is coming for Rao’s, Carbone, Sauz, and the other darlings of the jarred pasta sauce world. She just released four new pasta sauces under her Cravings line: Creamy Tomato, Thai Basil Marinara, Spicy Miso Alfredo, and Corn & Truffle. They sound pretty darn good. But are they? I cooked up a big batch of pasta and tried them all myself in one carb-loading sitting. Here’s the official Sporked review of Chrissy Teigen’s new pasta sauces.
Pros: Sold as “Chrissy’s kid-approved, cookbook-loved creamy tomato sauce,” it’s said to be “smooth, cheesy, and weeknight-ready.” I will totally agree with that—especially the kid part. This is totally acceptable, kid-friendly jarred pasta sauce. It’s thick and bright and creamy—I’m a big fan of the texture, which is more like grated or pureed tomato than loose sauce. It does a good job of clinging to any pasta. And it is cheesy—though just a touch.
Cons: It’s totally fine but it’s also pretty unremarkable. And it’s not cheap. At $11 a jar, I want more than just “totally fine.” I can get Rao’s (the best marinara sauce) for cheaper than that.
Pros: This sauce definitely has a unique flavor, thanks to the Thai basil. It gives it a bit of earthy herbaceousness. And there is some spice, too. It’s not overwhelming—just enough to give the sauce a bit of an edge and a kick.
Cons: While the Thai basil adds some intriguing flavor to the sauce, I’m not totally sure it’s a flavor that belongs in marinara sauce. It’s a bit clunky. And the sauce itself is on the thinner side, lacking oil and salt.
Pros: It’s silky and thick and really clings to noodles. There’s also a good kick of heat. And it sounds great. Miso in alfredo? Yum! Why didn’t I think of that? I just wish it could have actually followed through on the promise of the package.
Cons: I couldn’t taste any miso in the mix. I was expecting super savory soy flavors. But alas, I never would have guessed this jar of alfredo had even heard of miso, let alone had miso in it.
Pros: Out of all the new Cravings sauces, this is the one I’d eat again. A blend of cheese, corn, and summer truffle, it highlights the sweetness of the corn and the rich, aromatic quality of the truffle. It’s pungent, for sure—you smell the truffle the second you open the jar—but it doesn’t taste chemically or overwhelming. It’s also super thick and creamy—perfect for curly noodles or cheese ravioli.
Cons: It’s really, really thick. Too thick for some, so you might want to thin it out with some pasta water. It’s also quite truffly, which will definitely be a turn-off for a lot of folks. And, like all of these sauces, it’s kind of expensive, costing $10 a jar. At least there’s truffle in this one to help justify the price.
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
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