Napolina pasta sauce feedback thread; find out what MNers think about the latest range - NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We asked 250 Mners with children to try the latest range of pasta sauces from Napolina – this is the thread for their feedback.

Napolina say “we are excited to launch a new range of No Added Sugar pasta sauces to complement our existing range of over 130 products including pasta, sauces, canned tomatoes, olive oil, pulses, pizzeria and balsamic vinegar. The sauces enable tasty and convenient meals to be created, whilst reducing ‘added sugar’ intake. Flavours are centred around Italian family classic meals and have been developed to appeal to parents and children alike.

All sauces have a smooth texture and are available in seven flavour variants:

~ Bolognese pasta sauce
~ Pasta sauce for Macaroni Cheese
~ Pasta sauce for Meatballs
~ Creamy Cheese and Tomato pasta sauce
~ Red Lasagne pasta sauce
~ White Lasagne pasta sauce
~ Tomato with Hidden Veg pasta sauce

Available in a 480g/500g jar for families of four or more (RRP £1.69), the sauces are perfect for creating Italian inspired family favourites on busy weekdays or leisurely weekends alike”.

Questions for testers

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
Would you use the products again? Why?
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?

Selected testers who add feedback as required will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £300 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

My biggest tea time challenge is finding something everyone will eat - particularly an issue as I'm vegetarian and I haven't found many things we can easily make a meat and vege option and which we all like.

We have tried the 4 sauces and were very pleased to also receive a pack of pasta with them. Our favourite was the creamy cheese and tomato sauce which we used to make tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake (with no tuna in my version). My daughter commented that she thought it was a little cheesier tasting than the ones we normally buy (Tesco and Dolmio) and she liked that.

I would recommend these products to a friend and would use them again if the price was right. They tasted good despite having no added sugar and they were quick and easy to use.

Thanks for the freebie!

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?

Finding food that we can all eat, with 4 kids each with different likes and dislikes it's always a struggle finding things that everyone likes.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?

I have always been aware of added sugars in food that we eat.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?

My top priority is making food that is nutritional and healthy but also filling

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?

We made a chicken and bacon pasta bake with the creamy tomato sauce which was delicious and the children really enjoyed the hidden veg sauce

Would you use the products again? Why?

We would use these again as we all enjoyed them

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?

Yes I would recommend the sauces to someone if it came up in a conversation

We've finally managed to try all four sauces.

Red and white lasagne sauce: it was easy to use, the lasagne came out looking nice, although the white sauce was more runny than I usually like. The lasagne tasted ok, but there was a metallic aftertaste which was very off putting. I wouldn't recommend these sauces, and I wouldn't buy them as they were nowhere near the taste from home made sauces and it isn't worth the compromise in flavour.

Meatball and pasta sauce: this one was delicious, very herby and full of flavour, I would recommend this one.

Macaroni cheese:this one was our favourite. It was easy to make, although I guessed and the milk/water combination needed, I think I used more than the recipe suggested. Despite this, the sauce had dried up to some extent when cooking, next time I would use more milk and water. It tasted delicious, DD (9) thought it was delicious ( Macaroni cheese is her favourite so it had a lot to live up to!). I thought it tasted a bit different to usual jars for macaroni cheese, this one seemed to have a deeper and more complex cheesy flavour. I would definitely recommend this to others and will buy it again.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Trying to think of different meals to prepare, both DD's are fairly picky eaters, so it's a struggle trying to find something they both like which is fairly healthy. Pasta is always a good option for them, but it's a challenge trying to serve pasta in different ways.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Not really, I've been aware of it for a number of years.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Flavour is the top priority, convenience comes a close second for weekdays, but I would rather compromise convenience than flavour.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
We all felt that th macaroni cheese was our favourite flavour, better than others which are available in jars in the supermarket.

Would you use the products again? Why?
I would use the macaroni cheese and meatball pasta sauces again, they were very handy to use for weekday meals, both DD's liked them (which is rare) and I felt they were getting something reasonably heathy.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Id recommend the macaroni cheese and meatball and pasta, I would not recommend the lasagne sauces.

Well, I always believe in being honest, otherwise what's the point in testing, so here goes!
As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you? Cooking a healthy non snack dish that all the family will enjoy
Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes although it isn't at the top of my priority list.
What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family? Non processed food
From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range?
none
Which did your children like?
None
Would you use the products again?
No
Why?
Sorry, complete failure in our house. Ruined a good lasagne, red sauce tasted really odd and overly sweet and the white sauce was just plain unpleasant. The macaroni sauce I tested on a small scale (after sniffing it!) and both children wouldn't eat it - luckily I made my usual sauce as lesson was learnt with the lasagne!
I cook from scratch (though do use tinned tomatoes/purée) so maybe I'm just destined to never use a tin/jar sauce as they taste artificial.
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Err, I like your pasta!

I had the bolognase sauce, the macaroni cheese, the creamy cheese and tomorrow and the white lasagne sauce.

The biggest teatime challenge for me is preparing a meal which both of my sons like, which is no easy task as they both like different things. We all have a shared love of pasta, but not the same sauces!

I haven't been overly concerned about added sugar in sauces, as I tend to make my own and I never add sugar. However I did notice 'no added sugar' on the label and it made me think about whether it made a difference to ready products. I do check ingredients more these days.

My top priority when choosing products go purchase or meals to cook is nutrition and providing a balanced diet. Ideally it should be easy to prepare too!

My favourite was the white lasagne cream sauce.

Both of my sons liked the macaroni cheese one the best. One usually likes the traditional roux sauce and the other the Jamie Oliver cheats recipe with creme fraiche and this usually causes conflict, so it was good to find something they agreed on. I added cheese to grill over the top just to make it a little cheesier, as it tasted a bit mild to me.

I would use the lasagne sauce and the macaroni cheese sauces, for those occasions when you really don't have time for faffing about in the kitchen or suffering from exhaustion!

Would I recommend them? I don't tend to recommend food to friends or family, but I might mention the time saving cheat for lasagne or a very quick macaroni cheese! Btw, the creamy cheese and tomato, but I noticed it had lots of tomato puree rather than tomatoes.

Unfortunately I never received my box of pasta sauces so have been unable to test them.

1. trying to get fruit and veg into my fussy 18 month old!

2. definitely more aware of sugar content since having children and keep an eye out for low sugar/salt options

3. top priority is usually something that's time saving, I work part time and would rather spend my time at home having fun and not in the kitchen

4. we both liked the Mac & cheese and hidden veg the most, especially liked the hidden veg aspect, one less toddler drama at dinner time!

5. would use them again, tasty and quick and easy

Thank you for selecting us to try them

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you? Cook something that everyone likes. I find it very difficult to make everyone happy, the children are always complaining.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago? Yes, I think so. Since last year and also for the Change4Life government campaign I worry more about sugars in food.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
I always read the labels and I go for reduced sugar and salt products whenever I can.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like? My children loved the macaroni cheese and the Bolognese sauce. They really licked their plates. I liked all but the hidden vegetables as it tasted a bit sour.

Would you use the products again? Why? I would use Napolina ready made sauces again as they make cooking time easier and are healthy.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member? Yes, I would.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Finding a meal that my DD and DP will enjoy. (DP Is worse than a fussy child).

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
I'm not too bothered about scanning through ingredient labels for 'added sugar' so no, I'm not more aware.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Products that are healthy and will give us a well balanced, reasonably priced meal is top priority. Then getting in a few jars of ready made sauce for the days when I can't be bothered or have to time (more often now with 10 week old DS).

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
My favourite sauce was the red lasagne, as was DPs. DD loved the creepy cheese and tomato. We also had the sauce for meatballs with was also nice and the sauce for macaroni which none of us enjoyed and macaroni is one of DDs favourite dishes.

Would you use the products again? Why?
I would definitely use the sauces again. They make life so much more easier.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes I would recommend the sauces. I much prefer them to other ready pasta sauces.

We received four jars of Napolina sauce and a pack of penne.

I cooked a beef lasagne with two of Napolina sauces.
I don't often buy sauces which are specifically designed for lasagne, as when I cook the meat ragu, I use tinned tomatoes and add whichever dried or fresh herbs I have at home.

Beef lasagne
Ingredients:
1 red onion, finely chopped
3tbsp + olive oil
900g ground beef
2 cloves of garlic
2 celery stalks
1 beef stock cube (e.g. Knorr) dissolved in 125ml hot water
1 jar of Napolina red lasagne sauce
1 jar of Napolina white lasagne sauce
9 sheets of dried lasagne
70g grated Grana Padano cheese

First prepare the ragu: heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Add a finely sliced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ground beef and sliced celery. Cook the beef for about 7-8 minutes. Add the garlic, finely chopped and half a mug of beef broth made from the beef stock cube and hot water.
I used a Knorr beef stock, but any good stock cube would do. Pour the contents of the red lasagne sauce in to the ragu. Cook on low, simmering, for 45+ minutes. The Knorr stock cube is salty enough, so I didn't add any more salt while cooking the ragu. With all the flavours going on, you don't really need extra salt.
If using dried lasagne sheets, boil a medium sized pan of water and immerse the sheets two at a time for a couple of minutes, just to soften the pasta. If using fresh lasagne sheets, skip this step.
Put three lasagne sheets at the bottom of a deep lasagne baking dish which has been oiled.
Pour half of the ragu over them. Then pour 1/3 of the white lasagne sauce.
Place the next three sheets over, then the second half of ragu and another third of the white sauce. Then top up with the remaining three sheets and more white sauce.
Put the baking dish in the oven preheated to 180C. Cook for about 40-45 minutes. Add the grated cheese in the last 5-7 minutes of cooking. Once the cheese has melted and turned golden brown, the lasagne is ready.
Serve hot with a chunk of bread and some salad.
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The next sauce which I have tried was Napolina macaroni cheese sauce. Mixed feeling about this one. I made baked gnocchi with this sauce.
No added sugar seems to be a slightly pointless label, as I never add sugar to a cheese sauce anyway.
The sauce didn't hold the pasta together, it sort of collapsed in a heap.
There's only 6% Cheddar cheese in the sauce. It is flavoured with nutmeg and pepper, which didn't quite work for me in macaroni cheese, I prefer a good pinch of paprika, and definitely a decent amount of cheese in a macaroni cheese dish. It was rather watery and insipid.

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Answers:

• My biggest challenge is to find a dish which would appeal to all of us. My older son has special needs and his food choices are very limited, as to what he would agree to eat. My younger one loves pasta, and would happily eat pasta every day. Also getting them eat 5 a day is not always easy.

• I have been aware of the added sugar for a while, not just a year ago. But I'm not that enthusiastic about sweeteners either.

• Ideally free from any nasties. I cook most of our foods from scratch (exception: I don't make my own pasta as I don't have a pasta machine). My big concern is the GM food sneakily introduced in the British supermarkets without clear labelling.

• We liked Napolina lasagne sauces the best. I would use them again, as they were easy to use and tasty.

_ And yes, I have already mentioned the sauces to some friends. I also wrote a lasagne recipe post, so I suppose that counts as a recommendation.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Making a nutritious meal that isn't a waste of my time and effort (toddler deciding he suddenly hates potatoes, carrots, ham, everything...)
Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, definitely - I was always aware sugar was in more foods and/or in larger quantities than we assume, but since weaning DS I have definitely become more active in identifying and minimising the sugar we consume.
What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Nutritional value - will it be a balanced meal, have enough veg, etc?
From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
The general preference was for the creamy cheese and tomato sauce, everyone ate that one. My toddler DS ate up the hidden veg one without a complaint but I found it to taste overwhelmingly of onion (DSD refused to touch it, point blank). She did like the macaroni cheese sauce, that being one of her favourite meals, but I added extra cheese and bacon to mine, finding it a bit bland.
Would you use the products again? Why?
If I was to buy readymade sauces I'd give these serious consideration, because the quick pasta meals tend to be made by DP while I am at work... He won't make his own from scratch, so knowing there's at least one sugar-reduced flavour they'll eat is good.
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes, I most likely would - though I'd mention we preferred certain ones over others. I know a couple of moms who use jarred sauces on a regular basis, and they'd be interested in a healthier option.c

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
My biggest challenge is among sure that the family eat a varied and nutritious meal that everyone enjoys with limited time! Oh and not much washing up to do after either!!

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Absolutely, we stopped using ready made sauces for this very reason.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Price, availability, ingredients and preference.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
Our preference was the macaroni cheese one, always a hit in our house post swimming.

Would you use the products again? Why?
I possibly would have one in reserve in the cupboard, then it would be quite likely to get used quite frequently. Good quality and easy to use.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes most likely, depending on their kitchen ability, wouldn't want to offend my more capable buddies!

Thank you Napolina and Mumsnet.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Finding meals that both kids are happy to eat

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, definitely, the coverage added sugar has had in the press recently has got me looking much more carefully at what is in products that I buy.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Healthy, affordable and something everyone will enjoy

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?

We were sent Bolognese, Cheese and Tomato and white lasagne x2. So far we have managed to try 2 of them: The Cheese and Tomato - which one kid loved and the other hated (he hates all shop bought pasta sauces as a rule, so its no reflection on this one in particular) and the bolognese which they both loved (which is a 1st for us!). The kids liked the smooth texture of the sauces (they have a lump aversion). I thought both the sauces were good for shop bought versions, and think they are well priced for the size.

Would you use the products again? Why?
I would definitely use the bolognese one again as my fussy son will eat it, and will probably buy the others in the range which we didn't try, to see how they go down. Would keep a couple in the cupboard as a standby for when I don't want to make from scratch.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?

We're time poor. My DH and I work full time and like most people the challenge is being able to rustle up something easy, tasty, nutritious and quick! I meal plan, prep the night before and use a timer setting on the oven.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?

Possibly more aware but only because of the media coverage. There always seems to be something about the latest 'bad' food in the news! I'm a big believer of anything in moderation.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?

That everyone likes it; we have a variety of meals rather than a favourite few rotating; that we can get it to the table quickly!

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?

We had the sauce for macaroni cheese, the white lasagna sauce and x2 tomato with hidden veg.
My favourite was the white lasagne sauce - it was plenty big enough to make a large lasagne and gave a creamy sauce with a bit of a kick. I loved being able to use a jar!
The kids (x4) all liked the macaroni cheese although I would have liked it to have been a bit cheesier. I found it tasty but a little bland.
The kids' favourite though was the tomato sauce with hidden veg. We liked the fact it was smooth but still had a texture to it. The kids had a funny teatime trying to guess what veg they could taste!

Would you use the products again? Why?

Yes I would. They are a good size and we all thought they were tasty. They would make a good staple and a base for adding extra bits to, too.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Definitely - I already have.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Trying to cook a healthy filling meal in a short space of time.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes as it's more clearly labelled on most products.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Healthy and filling, I generally cook from scratch but do make use of products like pasta sauces and ready made meatballs to save time.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
My children enjoyed the meatball sauce though I found it a little 'strong'. They also liked the hidden veg sauce.

Would you use the products again? Why?
I might if on offer yes as I usually shop in Lidl so these sauces may be out of my price range.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
My parents were with us to eat the hidden veg sauce and commented on how tasty is was so will recommend it.

We've enjoyed trying all the sauces and pasta. Thank you for selecting us.

Hi,
We received the White sauce, macaroni cheese sauce, meatball sauce and Creamy Cheese and Tomato sauce....
My biggest tea time challenge as a parent is time. I don't get in from work until 6 so need to be able to feed my children wholesome, filling, nutritious meals pronto when I get in.
I am more aware of added sugar now than I maybe was a year ago.....for example, I didn't realise pasta sauces had added sugar until I saw your trial !
As mentioned above, my main priorities are making nutritious meals with limited time.
I think the meatball sauce went down best.....I have to admit, I used the white sauce in a fish pie instead of a lasagna.....white sauce us white sauce right ?.....I tend to buy pesto for its versatility so sauces that are 'multi purpose' are great for me
If I'm honest, I always have a jar of red/green pesto in the cupboard as me and my boys find it tastier than bog standard pasta sauces and it can be popped in a chicken breast/on a piece of salmon and wrapped in Parma ham or used in a puff pastry tart with a bit of goats cheese for a dinner party as well as in pasta......versatility is what I'm looking for along with taste and if I can make a meal just as quickly from scratch I'd rather do that than use a jar sauce (I know pesto is a jar sauce but I use as an ingredient really)
I wouldnt rave about these sauces to a friend as I'm not really loyal to a particular brand.....I could taste test a dolmio/supermarket own brand/Lloyd grossman pasta sauce and if I'm honest, probably wouldn't know the difference.....whatever's on offer is my first priority !!!
That said....many thanks for the trial

I was pleasantly surprised by the sauces we received. I wouldn't have chosen them normally as they are quite plain looking with no 'bits' in so i was pleased to find they were lovely and the children ate them (as there were no bits in them!). We liked the lasagna best, couldn't fault it, and found the Macaroni cheese ridiculously easy and the Creamy Cheesy Tomato pasta sauce was good and thick. Big hit in our house!

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Finding meals that all four of us will happily eat.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, since its been in the news more.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Finding healthy food with vegetables in. I am tempted to try the hidden veg sauce next!

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like? Cheesy Pasta Sauce.

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes, they were very good quality and of a generous size. I have always been drawn more towards sauces that look more sophisticated with added bits, olives etc, and dismissed the plain sauces but now having tried them I am impressed.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes.

One of the admins sent me an email about where to post a review of the napolina sauce,can that admin please email me again? Thanks

As a parent, what is the biggest teatime challenge for you?
My biggest challenge is making a healthy meal that everyone will eat and enjoy together quickly.

Would you say you are more aware of the 'added sugar' in food now than you were perhaps a year ago ?
No, I have always been aware of added and naturally occurring sugars.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Nutritional, wholesome food that doesn't have too many additives and is not too processed. Price and suitability for our needs.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range and why? Which did your children like?
We all preferred the macaroni cheese. It was tasty and flavoursome. One child even said he preferred it to my labour intensive, time consuming, cheese rich, home made sauce! We also liked the creamy cheese and pasta sauce.

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes, I would use the products again I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was to produce a family meal.
I do think the macaroni cheese sauce instructions need to be modified though. I was confused over whether I should put uncooked pasta in ( never done that before) and the liquid instructions were not specific enough. A ml gauge on the side of the jar might have been useful too.

If it came up in conversation would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?

Yes, a a quick and easy meal solution for weekday suppers.

Thanks to mumsnet and Napolina for selecting us. We all enjoyed it.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Something healthy and balanced that both the DCs and I enjoy
Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, definitely. I wasn't too fussed before, partly because I cook most things from raw ingredients, but also because I hadn't quite realised how much was hidden in the prepared food we occasionally eat.
What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Healthy and tasty.
From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
Pasta sauce for meatballs and Pasta sauce with hidden vegetables. The DCs don't like cheese! Both these tomato-based sauces were tasty and combined with pasta, meatballs and fresh veg made a good tasty meal.
Would you use the products again? Why?
The DCs (12 and 14) could use the sauces themselves so I might keep a couple in. I might use them if I was tired and wanted something quick and healthy, but I still prefer my own homemade sauces.
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes.

We've now tried 3 out of the 4 sauces we were sent. It should have been 4 but idiot husband missed the enormous jar of macaroni sauce he was told to use for dinner tonight and went rogue.

We used the cheesy tomato sauce half as a base for puff pastry pizza and half just with pasta as a quick tea. I really liked it, good cheese flavour, and both kids demolished it.

We made lasagna with the two sauces. I actually liked how runny the white sauce was - I find thicker sauces harder to spread without moving the dried lasagna sheets around and ruining my artistic efforts to fill all the gaps Really liked the nutmeg flavour and it was far tastier than the supermarket own brand we've used previously and much less salty.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Time. I'm pretty ruthless about only serving one dinner for us all but with both of us working full time or close to, it has to be something that can be on the table quickly.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, although I don't tend to check the labels. I cook mostly from scratch so I know what's been added is what I've thrown in there.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Low salt, with as few unnecessary ingredients as possible. Plus we're veggie so I try to pack in extra protein and calcium where I can.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range?
The white lasagna sauce was lovely (I may have licked the spoon...)

Which did your children like?
The cheesy tomato sauce was their favourite.

Would you use the products again? Why?
I would use the white lasagna sauce again. I tend to make my own bolognese but can't usually be bothered making my own white sauce so this would be a handy substitute in the cupboard.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes and have done!

Commenting due to receiving my chase up email. Unfortunately I never received the Napolina products so am unable to review. Very disappointed

We tried the Creamy Cheese and Tomato Sauce, Red Lasagne Sauce, White Lasagne Sauce, and Pasta Sauce for Macaroni Cheese.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?

Getting my boys to eat a healthy meal while not complaining that it has vegetables in it or that it "tastes funny".

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?

Definitely. I have altered my buying habits because of it.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?

Ease of cooking. I love to cook healthy meals for my family but hate to spend hours in front of the cooker. Anything that makes a meal easier to cook is a top buy for me.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?

I really enjoyed the Lasagne sauces, I used them to cook a lasagne and didn't tell my family I'd changed the sauce. They all commented on how nice the lasagne was and were surprised when I told them it was a different sauce. I'll be buying it again. My boys also enjoyed the Creamy cheese and tomato sauce with some pasta.

Would you use the products again?

Yes, definitely.

Why?

For a start they make cooking easier, but also because they were tasty AND healthier than other options. I would say the sauces are tastier than other brand sauces.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?

Yes, I would.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?

Finding healthy and tasty meals that we will all like and will eat, always taking into consideration that one of my sons is Type 1 diabetic.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?

I have always been aware of added sugars in food that we eat as one of my children is Type 1 diabetic.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?

My top priority is making food that is nutritious, healthy and value for money.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?

My children loved the macaroni cheese sauce and the meatball sauce. Unfortunately one of the jars was smashed and we were unable to try.

Would you use the products again? Why?

Not sure, I usually make my own sauces but buy a couple of jars for the cupboard for a quick meal/unexpected guests. Although they had no added sugar I was a little concerned that this was replaced with sweetener which I consider worse for you than sugar!

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?

Yes I would recommend the sauces to someone if it came up in a conversation, particularly if they were looking for something low sugar.

1. Finding something that is quick, healthy and easy. Something that everyone likes.

2.i worry about hidden sugar and fear that it is in far more food that we class as 'healthy'.

1. Healthy, easy, trustworthy ie that it is healthy If it's advertising itself as this.

4.we loved the macaroni cheese we added broccoli and peas and everyone loved it. Creamy but not too rich fir kids. 5.i would use again. When I was in a rush straight from work I was happy that the hidden veg one provided the family with an Easy nutricious meal

1. Yes