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Original poster

Seeking alternative to canned Heinz Spaghetti Bolognese

19 replies

EggysMom · 27/04/2020 16:43

Posting in chat for throughput ... Autistic son, currently eating Heinz Spaghetti Bolognese but it is improving impossible to find. I've contacted Heinz who say it's not in production at the moment.

Does anybody know of an own-brand alternative that is similar?

The key thing is LONG lengths of spaghetti, it seems. We've tried two versions of Tesco own brand and one from Asda, and the spaghetti is only about 4-5cm long whereas Heinz are more like 10cm long, suitable for dangling into your mouth.And for an autistic child who likes routine and similarity, the length of spaghetti strand is making him reject alternatives ...

So I'm testing the MumsNet knowledgebase, those of you who shop at Morrisons & Sainsbury & Aldi & Lidl. Do any of you know whether their own-brand spaghetti bolognese are long strand versions?

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/04/2020 16:44

Could you email Heinz again and explain son's circs and ask if they would be willing to share the recipe for the Bolognese? Then you could batch make it exactly as they do with the right length of spaghetti?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/04/2020 16:45

I know Bolognese is a pretty standard dish, but presumably Heinz use specific measurements of ingredients hence my suggestion. Rather than just using any recipe.

Hippywannabe · 27/04/2020 16:46

I did get some in Iceland, have you tried there? The actual store manager might be able to hold you some back.

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Mrsjayy · 27/04/2020 16:48

Have you tried Home bargains BnM/£shops for heinz

kitk · 27/04/2020 16:48

The Morrison's own brand version is the same

Original poster
EggysMom · 27/04/2020 16:52

Home Bargains, B&M, Iceland round here, no joy. Have tried multiple branches of all three, sorry to say.

Haven't asked Heinz for the recipe, there's always that thought.

Interesting about Morrisons, not somewhere we shop but that's why I wanted to ask on here to find out about own brand versions. I can see a trip to Morrisons this evening for a test can, thank you @kitk

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 27/04/2020 16:53

Problem is that canned Bolognese is an entirely different product to home made - the pasta is also very soft and thicker than normal spaghetti I believe. I'm not sure it's possible to make a similar product even if the OP did break dried spaghetti into the appropriate length.

If the OPs DS wants it to be 'the same' it will need to be properly the same and home made isn't going to cut it.

I'd noticed that there was no Bolognese, because we buy Heinz canned ravioli and that's also absent - suspect that Heinz are concentrating on beans and soup.

OP, do you think that, if the spaghetti is the right length, your DS can overlook other differences? If so, I'd suggest canned Bolognese sauce sans pasta if that's available - M&S did one that was used in Delia Smith's 'How to cheat at cooking' series but I don't know if other supermarkets do this, mixed in with broken up home cooked pasta - maybe overcook it to replicate the canned texture?

Original poster
EggysMom · 27/04/2020 16:53

Amazon Fresh don't deliver to me; Amazon Pantry don't have any.

OP posts:
Original poster
EggysMom · 27/04/2020 16:55

If you want any Heinz Ravioli, there is loads in the supermarkets of East Manchester Grin

OP posts:
Jellybeanduck · 27/04/2020 16:56

Waitrose online seems to have it in stock

NoSoapAndGory · 27/04/2020 17:06

Asda has it online, OP.

I have an Asda order coming on Friday.
I can order some for you (it will allow up to 3 cans) - no guarantee if would arrive but if it did, I'll happily post it to you.

Original poster
EggysMom · 27/04/2020 17:55

Thanks for the offer @NoSoapAndGory but I wouldn't put you to the postage charge, for tins it would be ridiculous! Both our Asda and Tesco have it on their online shopping but Tesco (from whom I get deliveries) never have it 'in stock' when picking, and our Asda definitely don't have it as I have scoured the entire shop.

Have returned from Morrisons with a couple of cans of their own brand, shall test them with him tomorrow Smile Checked another B&M whilst there but nothing. If anybody knows about other brands in Lidl or Aldi, please keep posting.

OP posts:
Brogley · 27/04/2020 18:19

Do you have a wholesaler or catering supply company near you? We've been having a similar problem but with a different product and I found a catering supply company near to us who are open to the public and do home delivery. It meant buying in bulk (60 units for £30) but at least I'm sorted for the foreseeable future and DS can eat.

AGoodDay · 27/04/2020 18:24

If you manage to find sauce that's similar enough you cook the pasta in the sauce (watered down as needed) to get the canned spaghetti consistency rather than coming separate and mixing.

NoSoapAndGory · 27/04/2020 18:35

Good luck, @EggysMom - I hope you find it x

RoLaren · 27/04/2020 18:54

What area are you in?

Original poster
EggysMom · 27/04/2020 18:59

Thanks for the question but I've got feelers out for local stores via a localised FB group. I was just asking on MumsNet to see if people knew what the various 'own brand' versions were like.

OP posts:
RoLaren · 28/04/2020 17:58

Just come out of Morrisons, and yes their own brand spaghetti bolognese in a tin has long strands. Hope that helps!

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