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

we tried the sauce to make the lasagne, on a day when we were pushed for time - so that was a big help in saving time to cook a good wholesome meal. Plus, knowing it had less sugar in the sauce, was a reassurance too.

Update: tried the red lasagne sauce with meatballs today (the DC don't like mince so we don't cook lasagne as a family meal, and we weren't sent either of the other tomato sauces).

This went down a lot better than the cheesy tomato sauce, with both DC saying it tasted nice and clearing their plates. I found it fine although not garlicky enough for my taste and again would much rather not have the artificial sweetener.

We have quite a bit of sauce left in the jar, I'm considering freezing it...

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Finding something that we will like and eat, my kids are the fussiest on the planet!

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Yes, I think there has been more in the news/on mumsnet etc in the past year that has made me more aware.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
Price usually, but also getting the right flavour and right amount of nutrition in a meal.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range?
I liked the white lasagne pasta sauce the best.

Which did your children like?
They liked the pasta sauce for meatballs.

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes, as long as they were cheap enough. I liked the ease of making the pasta/lasagne. A very easy and quick meal to make.

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

So we received white lasagne, creamy tomato, Bolognese and macaroni. All arrived intact with penne pasta. There is me DH and 3DD ages 8, 5 and 13 months.

We tried the creamy tomato one first with the pasta no veg but parmesan cheese on top. I found it average but I guess as it was low sugar that is pretty good. DH likes plain food so said it was a bit to herby but I like that. The older girls were not that keen although 13 month old DD are a big bowl of it.

Next was a lasagne I used the bolagnese with the white sauce. This came out better but was runny not sure it was a reflection of my cooking but not inexperienced making lasagne at all. The reheated leftovers where extremely tasty. Added peas and mushrooms to increase veg.

We are yet to have the Mac and cheese sauce so will come back with more info.

Now for the questions-

Biggest challenge is a healthy meal that is quick and everyone eats.

Yes definately more aware of sugar on the news and also fizzy drinks tax proposal etc etc.

Priority is getting enough fruit and veg portions into my girls.

Probably the creamy pasta sauce girls favourite. We liked the combination we had for the lasagne although yet to try mac and cheese so not definate.

I would buy them again if I was on health kick and feeling lazy as they are v convenient but otherwise would make homemade. I would recommend them to others who are trying to reduce sugar intake as they were tasty enough.

So far we have tried the hidden veg sauce which I enjoyed as did my two younger children (7 & 5) my oldest (11) who is a bit fussier than the rest complained that it was to bitter but still ate half a plateful so it can't have been to bad.

The cheese and tomato sauce was a favourite with everyone. Which is a rare event in our house.

This week we are planning on trying the white lasagne sauce so will report back with our views.

We had the tomato sauce with hidden veg today. The children liked it and had seconds. Ds gave it 7/10 and, as with the meatball sauce, said that he would have preferred some pieces of tomato and veg in there, but I guess it was aimed more at people who won't eat lumps. I found it fine but prefer a home made sauce and tend to batch cook and freeze so I have it on stand by. I'd possibly have one in the cupboard for emergencies/camping trips etc. I liked the veg aspect and that made me feel slightly less guilty for using a jar.

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

Finding something healthy that everyone enjoys

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

Yes because of the media coverage

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

As much as I'd like to say some real healthy reason it's more the fact that it will get eaten and not cost the earth.

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

I liked the hidden veg.
The children liked the tomato and cheese

Would you use the products again? Why?

Yes I would as it's healthier than usual pasta sauces and I'm awful at cooking.

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

Yes

We had the hidden veg sauce tonight with some meatballs I'd made earlier. The sauce was a big hit with the children but also my husband and I. We would definitely get this one again. Only suggestion would be to also do it in a two person jar size so it can be used to whip up some mid week easy pasta.

Re teatime its nice if sometimes we all eat the same thing as we dont often. Pasta is one thing we do all eat.
Not more aware of added sugar but shocked at products that sugar is in that i wouldnt expect.
Top priority re choosing grub is that it is tasty and as ethical as we can afford and not full of trans fats and aspartame and palm oil.
We all like the meat ball one.because it had a nice tomatoey and tangy flavour. No one has liked the mac cheese and white lassgne one bit bland and artificial.
Would recommend meatball one to friends.

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

Two things: 1. time of dinner - sometimes needed in two batches eg DS/DH before football, DD and I separate

1. Catering for different tastes - DD not keen on meat, DS/DH spicy and meat lovers

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Not especially

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

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
Liked bolognese and White lasagne sauce

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes useful for quick fixes

If it came up in conversation, recommend? Yes

We made lasagne from the bolognaise and White lasagne sauce on Friday night and I have to say I was really impressed by the way it turned out. I normally make the whole thing from scratch, but these jars made it really quick and easy - perfect for when we want lasagne but don't want to make the time to stand for an hour making it all.
On Sunday my family wanted my lasagne for a party, so I made another, this time with my own Ragu and the macaroni cheese sauce jar as the white sauce. Not sure what happened but this one dried out the top layer of my pasta (I have read above others who found macaroni cheese results dry, so maybe that's an issue), and also the taste was not nearly so good as the Friday lasagne.
Overal, I would definitely buy the creamy cheese and tomato one, the bolognaise had a good flavour so would buy that as a standby in case I need a quick fix, and the White lasagne one maybe occasionally when we want a quick and easy but delicious lasagne. I won't buy the macaroni one again, my family like my own macaroni sauce and it's super quick to make anyway.
I will buy the hidden veg one as I'd be interested to try this having read others favourable comments.
I don't have a problem with the sweetener you have chosen to use, Stevia, as it's natural and I do believe tomato based sauces need a touch of sweetness and salt to bring out their flavour, something herbs and spices alone cannot match.

We tested the white lasagne sauce, hidden veg sauce and macaroni cheese. Thank you!

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Recently, finding vegetarian dishes that middle dd will eat as she's just turned veggie, also serving up interesting dishes that we actually like, but which the fussier 5yr old will also eat
Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago? no, I normally cook everything from scratch so not really bothered about the odd bit of sugar when we have prepared food. I wouldn't buy those sugar-laden hot drinks that have recently been in the news though, and am surprised that the sugar content of things like that would come as a shock to anyone. I was a bit bothered when I read the labels on the sauce jars as I didn't know what the heck Stevia was, but tomato sauce does need a bit of sweetness
What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family? plenty of veg in every meal, tastes good, not too repetitive. During chaotic weeks I'll look for something vaguely decent with a short cooking time that I can serve with a salad
From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range?
I thought they were all good. I made lasagne and macaroni cheese and both were delicious - just as good as my home made versions. The macaroni cheese may have been better.....
Which did your children like?
They liked both (they normally love both of these dishes anyway) but they raved about the macaroni cheese - all three loved it and ate it all.
Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes, if the price was right and I wanted a quick meal for a chaos week (If? Who am I kidding?)
If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
Not sure how this would be a conversation, but I would probably say yes, I liked it, it was good.

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

Preparing and cooking whilst there's homework to see to.

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

Yes, I am because it's been so much in the news.

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

Something that has not additives, that's healthy and that is closest to home cooked (if I am using a sauce).

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

We were unanimous in our favourite - Creamy Cheese and Tomato. It tasted really good just simply made with a bit of fresh basil.

Would you use the products again? Why?

Yes, I would because it was easy and convenient and tasted great too.

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

I definitely would.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Its got to be finding a meal that everyone will eat and not just push around the plate while moaning.

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
A little bit but I was already aware of it.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
I like the meals to be healthy but they also have to be something that all the family will actually eat.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
My favourite was the Bolognese sauce, but the children's favourite was macaroni cheese.

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes i would use them again. The meals were easy to prepare and were enjoyed by the whole family, the children even wanted seconds!

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

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Trying to find something that all 3 of my children will eat without a complaint!

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
I would like to say yes, but I can't say my shopping habits have changed much. I don't think I bought a lot of things with hidden sugars in previously either.

What is your top priority as a parent when choosing which products to purchase or meals to cook for your family?
They like things with plenty of flavour, and for me probably things that are fast and filling.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range?
I enjoyed the White lasagne sauce, it had plenty of pepper in it.

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

Would you use the products again? Why?
It's a useful backup to have if I need something quick, and the children didn't turn their noses up at them.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
I would probably say that I had tried them, and that they passed the 'children test' in our house!

Hi Mumsnetters,

Thanks for all of your feedback so far. We're sorry to hear about the unsealed lids/ broken jars. We are working really hard to spot all of your comments and get replacements sent out. You can also contact us at [email protected] to report an issue.

Thanks!
Rebecca - Mumsnet Insight Team

Thanks for picking us to try out these pasta sauces! It was very exciting getting a big parcel in the post and all the jars arrived intact and very well wrapped. Was a nice surprise to get some pasta too!

We received meatball, cheese and tomato, Bolognese and macaroni sauce. Dd (6) and ds (1) have tried them all.

As a parent, what is the biggest tea-time challenge for you?
Making something healthy that my fussy 6 year old will actually eat...

Would you say you are more aware of the ‘added sugar’ in food now than you were perhaps a year ago?
Definitely. There seems to be a lot more info out there about the hidden sugar in food. I've got the new sugar smart app and it is shocking how much sugar is in the food 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 its got be healthy and tasty. My dd is so fussy it is a struggle to get her to try new foods so I tend to stick to what I know she will eat.

From the ones you tried, which is your favourite flavour in the range? Which did your children like?
The macaroni cheese was the favourite! We added extra cheese and some ham and it was delicious!

Would you use the products again? Why?
Yes, they were tasty and easy to use.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the sauces to a friend or family member?
I would. They taste great and I was very impressed.

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO COOK THE MACARONI CHEESE ONE!

Pleeeeeeease.

How much pasta? Cooked, uncooked or par-boiled?!

www.napolina.com/recipe/PastaBake

Closest I can get

Personally I would do about 350g macaroni, boil it for 8-10 mins until al dente, then add chopped tomatoes, chopped cooked bacon and spinach, pour over jar, grate cheese on top and put in hot oven for 20-25 mins.

The macaroni cheese was confusing! Very poor instructions!

We had it as a side dish ( as I wasn't sure if my youngest would like it!), it was ok, a little bland!

Macaroni cheese: cook all the pasta, throw it in a big dish. Add the sauce. Fill the jar with water/milk, shake and add this too. Cover with loads of cheese, throw in oven at 180 (fan) for about 25 mins.

Oh and rinse the cooked pasta in cold water before adding to the dish, to remove starch.

My biggest teatime challenge is time - I'm a private tutor and sometimes don't finish work until 6.30.

My priority is healthy food that doesn't cost a fortune.

I am aware of sugar in food, but I always have been - I make things like pasta sauce from scratch so it isn't an issue. TBH I'm more likely to avoid food with artificial sweeteners, although I'm cautiously ok with Stevia, which was added to the Napolina products.

I don't know that I'm the sort of person who discusses convenience foods with friends snooty although I may mention the mid-week lasagne revelation! If it came up in conversation I definitely would.

Our favourite of the flavours we received was the smooth tomato with hidden vegetable.

We will buy the tom/veg and lasagne sauces so as to have quick meals available which my elder DDs could easily make. The macaroni cheese sauce was awful - I could easily make far better myself.

We only got three varieties of sauce, the smooth tomato with hidden veg was duplicated. We also had macaroni cheese sauce and white lasagne sauce.

I made macaroni cheese using my usual 500g of pasta - the recipe on the jar gave no indication of how much to use. It was dry, chewy and tasteless - my DH, who will usually eat anything, had a sandwich instead.

As we received no red lasagne sauce, I used the tom and veg sauce along with the white sauce to make lasagne - I must say that I was pleasantly surprised, it was really nice, definitely something I'd make again for a family meal. I don't make lasagne from scratch mid-week but everyone loves it so I will use the sauces again for this.

Ok Napolina, you're not going to like this but DD (10) used the penne and second jar of tom and veg sauce to make a quick dinner while I was working late - she just added tinned tuna to the sauce and she and her sisters LOVED it. Sorry bout dat. They are keen to keep the sauce as a stand-by in the cupboard as the tomato sauce takes an hour to cook which is apparently too long!

So...two out of three ain't bad, right?

That last bit should read, my home-made tomato sauce takes an hour to cook!