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 macaroni cheese lid has popped too. I'll email MNHQ.

The bolognaise sauce will be easy enough to try, and the white lasagne one too - that's the only one without any sweeteners in so my favourite so far (before any taste tests).

I like the sound of the creamy cheese and tomato sauce but neither ds fancies it - we'll have to wait and see on that one!

Oh and recommending would depend on price , not sure if I've missed where it says how much these sauces would cost ?

My pasta with meatballs and macaroni cheese.

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

making something everyone will eat and trying to make it healthy

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

definitely

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

if the children will like it/ if its healthy/ the quality

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

the tomato pasta sauce with hidden veg was a hit.
mac and cheese i will be trying out on the weekend

Would you use the products again? Why?

yes, they are good value for money in my opinion. tasted good. the kids enjoyed it.

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

yes, have done.

I made a lamb Ragu with the hidden veg sauce tonight, it was a hit all round. I was amazed how far the jar actually went, it was a lovely thick consistency and the taste was lovely-tasted home made-which is what I usually do.
My 9 yr old son is 5 days post op and he said it tasted amazing and that it went down very easily. He's had a heller myotomy and dor fundoplication so getting him to actually eat is amazing.

Ours arrived on Monday. DD tried the bolognese one last night and liked it so much she ate three lots! She declared it much better than the Lloyd Grossman tomato pasta sauce I usually get. She said it was a bit "spicier" ( I think she meant herbier) but that she really, really liked it.

Making lasagne at the weekend with the white sauce. Will be back.....

We have macaroni cheese, white lasagne, bolognese and cheese and tomato.

I bought meatballs before they all arrived so I'm in two minds about which sauce to use with them - cheese and tomato or the bolognese? Decisions, decisions.

If anyone has cooked the macaroni cheese, can you confirm whether or not the pasta should be cooked first, or whether you add it "raw"?

There seems to be quite a lot of liquid in the recipe, so I'm confused!

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Finding something new that my son will eat.
Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
No, with a diabetic husband I have always been aware of added sugar in food.
What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Quality ingredients at a reasonable price
From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
I liked the white lasagne pasta sauce, which the children didn't.
They both enjoyed the smooth tomato and hidden veg. most.
Would you use the products again? Why?
I may use the smooth tomato and hidden veg again, probably not the creamy cheese and tomato and definitely not the white lasagne or the smooth white sauce for macaroni cheese, as the children really didn't enjoy these at all.
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Maybe the white lasagne (mentioning that in our household only the adults liked it) and the smooth tomato and hidden veg. (for children).

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Almost always being the one to come up with the ideas throughout the week.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, I have tried to reduce the amounts of sugar my children eat.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Wholesome food in its natural state. Cook mostly from scratch but needs must when time is limited.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range?
So far only tried creamy tomato and cheese and it was delicious simply over penne with extra grated cheddar and black pepper. Even my fussy eldest said it "wasn't bad", which from a child who never eats sauce is a major achievement. We have macaroni cheese and white lasagne plus bolognaise still to try.

Which did your children like?
Will update once all tried

Would you use the products again?
Yes, as a time saving device when I haven't time to make my own as usual.

Why?
I like the fact they don't have added sugar and even better they are wheat free (husband is wheat free so I try and find things to suit all the family instead of having to cook separately for him).
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Yes.

Mine came yesterday and we had macaroni cheese last night so will start with that and add as I use them.

My biggest tea time challenge is finding something to cook that everyone likes and wants to eat on that particular night.

I'm definitely more aware now of added sugar than I was before having children to cook for.

My top priority when cooking is nutrition and affordability.

The kids loved the macaroni cheese, I thought it needed to be cheesier, but it was devoured and they said they would love to eat it again.

I would keep one or two of these in the cupboard for nights when a quick meal is needed, it made a dinner all 3 kids loved which is a winner for me.

I would recommend them if it came up in conversation as a convenient meal option, with the benefit of reduced sugar content.

I'm looking forward to trying the others!

Place marking for when we have tried some of the products

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Making something healthy that the whole family enjoys.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes definitely, I find myself looking at labels when I do the food shop and choosing no added sugar over other products

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

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? spaghetti bolognese

Which did your children like?
Meatballs

Would you use the products again? yes

Why?
I know they have no added sugar in and are fairly cheap

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

Parcel arrived weds pm, all the jars well wrapped however the safety button on the cheese sauce was faulty so sadly had to dump that one straight away.
Will pop back and answer questions fully when had a chance to test the remaining 3.

Myself and my family have been testing out Napolnia's new sauces and pasta this week and have honestlt enjoyed them all! As a parent I want togive my children,healthy,tasty meals. We do sometimes seem to stick to the same things,so this has been a pleasant change! My daughter and I preferred the tomato sauce with a sprinkle of cheddar on the top,but my son and husband much preferred the cheese sauce! Quick and easy and also a less expensive meal to produce! So an all around winner! Thanks Napoloni!

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Finding quick healthy teas that are ok for DS1 who is multi allergic and can be fussy!

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes - I usually make my own pasta sauces for this reason. A lot of manufacturers seem to have replaced salt with added sugar.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
That they don't have anything DS1 is allergic to and are reasonably healthy.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
We have just tried the cheese and tomato sauce so far. The kids were enthusiastic at first and tucked in, but after a few mouthfuls they both said it tasted a bit weird. Maybe that's due to the artificial sweetener which it's a real shame is in there. Personally I thought it smelled nice (like pizza) but tasted rather bland.

Would you use the products again? Why?
Not the cheese and tomato one for reasons above. Will try the macaroni cheese one next and see how we get on, it might not be until next week though.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Probably not, I think homemade sauce is much nicer than jarred usually. But nothing wrong with having a jar in the cupboard for emergencies. It's a real shame about the sweeteners though, they seem to be in everything these days :(

We had pasta wit the creamy cheese and tomato sauce last night. My 2 dds loved it and wanted seconds!! This is a miracle with the 6yo as she is generally very fussy with jarred sauces. I think the lack of lumps and visible tomato is a big win for her!

I'm making lasagne at the weekend with the white sauce and bolognese sauce...will report back properly after.

a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you? Thinking of things to make that are healthy and tasty

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago? Yes much more aware due to media, I had stopped buying pasta sauces because of it.

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

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like? Dh and I liked creamy cheese and tomato best, lovely flavour. Dc liked macaroni cheese the best.

Would you use the products again? Why? Yes, although I generally prefer to cook from scratch, they will be handy to have in for nights when we're short on time, with starving dc. They were quick and easy to use and made a tasty meal.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member? Yes, I would make them aware that no added sugar options are now available.

Thanks for the opportunity to try them.

I still don't have my sauces Really disappointed as I don't think I will be able to test them all now before the 4th March deadline. If they turn up I'll just have to give feedback on the couple I get to try out.

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

With 2 kids with ASD, restricted diets plus food intolerances, preparing reasonably nutritious meals that everyone will eat.

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

I've been aware of it for a long time. Sometimes it's needed. Where it's needed, it's usually preferable to sweeteners.

If I make a tomatoey pasta sauce, I do often add a pinch of sugar. The sauces I buy, if they have sugar added, have it so far down at the bottom of the list of ingredients that I couldn't give a monkey's about it being there.

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

Acceptability and suitability being taken for granted, that the ingredients look like food and not something out of one of my chemistry textbooks.

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

We got sauce for macaroni cheese (open, so chucked it), tomato and mascarpone, white lasagne sauce and tomato and hidden vegetable sauce.

We had the tomato and hidden veg sauce on Tuesday, with meatballs. It was alarmingly thick and gloopy and I had to add a fair bit of water to get it out of the jar and evenly coating the pasta. Taste wise it was lovely and tangy - probably a wee bit too acidic, to be honest, but the boys didn't complain and MIL enjoyed it. Just as well, since this was the only one out of the various cheese free sauces that I was sent - neither boy can eat cheese. I was hoping for a slightly more balanced selection to sample!

I used the white lasagne sauce to make a white veggie lasagne, today. Was alright. That sauce was actually a bit thinner than I'd make it myself and didn't really taste of much - would have worked better with a tomatoey layer and more extra cheese added than I already did.

I think I'm done with pasta for a while, anyhow. I don't eat it often, so probably won't get chance to try the other jar and report back.

Would you use the products again? Why?

Probably not. See above. The jarred tomato sauces I usually buy have a much looser, slightly oilier texture and a more balanced flavour. Plus DS1 doesn't really need veg hiding (though I admit I like the way it clung to DS2's meatballs, which he had served with oven chips, as he can't deal with pasta without gagging)

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

I would tell them that there's much worse sauces out there, but there are better, too.

Lasagne is In The Oven!

Forgot my pic. DH said the chips were the tastiest bit of his meal!

Well tonight I used the meatball sauce. I added finely chopped onion and green chillies to give it a zing The smell whilst it was cooking was divine and I was expecting a good result from this. We were not disappointed, the sauce was rich and tasty. I cooked some pasta shells with this as I thought the shape would accompany the meatballs better than the penne. Will be using the penne for a pasta bake with the cheese/tomato sauce soon.

Myself and DH liked it very much, the DCs ate it all but didn't want to be given it too frequently as they aren't too keen on mince!

Only one complaint is that the sauce was rather thick, next time I would add some water.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
To cook meals that everyone likes whilst being as healthy as possible.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Not really. I usually cook all meals from scratch and believe everything in moderation is the only way to live. Artificial sweeteners are worse than sugar tbh.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
To provide healthy balanced meals for all of the family.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
Will have to return to this question later as we have only tried the meatball one but it's a 9/10!

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes. I always buy Napolina tinned toms and now like their sauces too. Would probably just keep one in the cupboard.

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

Pictures next.

Meatball sauce pics

Well I see that I must have done something wrong with the macaroni cheese sauce as mine was very dry! I think I'd par cook the pasta next time and only use 400g. Onto the rest...

I think there must have been a mistake in my pack as I got two tomato sauce jars which were identical.

Tonight I'm doing a lasagne using one of the tomato jars and the white sauce but I am ignoring the instructions as who puts the white sauce on top of the tomato sauce on each layer? Really?

I tasted the sauce from the jar and it's very nice. I'll buy it again and use it like a passata with benefits ;)

However, I felt it still wasn't enough in a lasagne so I sauteed onions as usual and added a grated courgette to the ragu. Next time, I'd do the soffrito as usual and use it as I said like a passata. I will definitely buy it again but do wish they'd remove the sweetener, it's not necessary. If I want to add a pinch of sugar then I will add it thank you very much! I needed to season as well as it was somewhat bland.

The white sauce tasted pleasingly of nutmeg and I piled it high with extra mature cheddar and parmesan so there is no way it's not going to taste great!

That still leaves a jar of tomato sauce to use for something else - somehow I think I should have been given a red lasagne sauce but it will not be wasted!

I love lasagne and don't cook it very often, as if you do it properly it takes AGES. These jars will mean I can get a lasagne done and dusted within the hour and therefore when they are released onto the shelves I will definitely buy for my pantry and will be telling people about them as they are very tasty.

I think if you have a child or a husband who doesn't like "bits" or vegetables, then this tomato sauce will be ideal for you and I can confidently recommend it.

Now having eaten the finished product, it was absolutely delicious. A bit less substantial than my usual lasagne,, which is absolutely stuffed with veg, so I will do this again when in a hurry but add extra vegetables. DD2 (8) said it was really amazing, and DH loved it too.