must try | Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants)

Trader Joe’s “Caro Sugo” Italian Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, review

NEW ITEM

RAVE

(“Caro Sugo” loosely translates to “dear or favorite sauce”)

Trader Joe’s New Item, their CARO SUGO Italian tomato basic pasta sauce seems to be all over the internet with people saying this new Trader Joe’s tomato sauce is Da Bomb. The best pasta sauce ever. That it is better than the highly rated Rao’s (and cheaper).

So I had to check this out for a review. Well, guess what? Sometimes the hype is true. I was really impressed with this. This sauce is SO GOOD.

Its a wonderful tasty sauce. The freshest, most natural tasting, perfect, artisanal tomato sauce, like a sauce that could have been cooked by your Italian nonna back in Italy. I found this as good as everybody seems to be saying it is. A 10 out of 10.

Caro Sugo just has such a fresh, natural taste from excellent probably freshly harvested tomatoes plus Italian olive oil and fresh (not dried) garlic, and whole basil leaves. It’s got bits of tomato, a few little chunks. It’s not smooth like many jarred sauces are. Meaning not over processed.

Imported of course, this sauce is produced in Italy for Trader Joe’s. Specifically from the region of Puglia, which is the “heel of the boot” on a map. The supplier who makes this also grows the tomatoes, picks them and processes them. Close to where they are grown, so the tomatoes are as fresh as possible and you can actually taste that freshness.

Ingredients listed are: Whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, diced onion, sea salt, chopped garlic, chopped basic, dried oregano.

Everything except for the oregano is a fresh ingredient. There is no sugar added. The sauce has a slight natural sweetness from good tomatoes.

Where’s what Trader Joe’s says about this sauce:

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/caro-sugo-italian-tomato-basil-pasta-sauce-079753

TJ’s : “….Our supplier not only makes this sauce, but also grows the sweet, juicy tomatoes that make it so special. The rest of the ingredients are simple and fresh, including olive oil, diced onion & chopped garlic (not powders), chopped fresh basil, and sea salt. The only “dried” ingredient is oregano, which was chosen purposefully for its more concentrated flavor.

What will you do with Trader Joe’s Caro Sugo Italian Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce? The answer is: anything you like! As you can imagine, it’s delicious with your favorite TJ’s pasta or ravioli. Try it with our Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs on a Sandwich Roll topped with melted Sliced Provolone. You’ll also find this Tomato Sauce shines on pizzas, in shakshuka, or even as a dipping sauce for our Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks!”

As they say do not limit yourself to just thinking of this pasta sauce. This sauce is a great sauce for cooking. PIZZA? Yes, I am thinking. I definitely want to try making a pizza using this Caro Sugo sauce and the Mozzarella log for one thing. My dough is developing now in the fridge. I will report back here with pix!

This is a Must Try. Granted this costs more than some other quite good pasta Trader Joe’s sauces which cost less than half the price ($1.99) However if you want to taste an artisanal imported Italian sauce which is truly Gourmet Level, this is well worth trying at least once. People who have are saying they go back and buy a few jars at a time.

CARO SUGO Italian tomato basic pasta sauce $4.99 (24 oz)

PIzza made with this Caro Sugo sauce (my wife said I should have used more sauce). I made dough but you can buy TJ’s dough. Whole milk mozz. Fresh basil. It was yummy.

Trader Joe’s COWBOY CAVIAR (corn & black bean salsa)

“Corn, black bean and pepper salsa. Smoky sweet with just the right amount of kick” – Trader Joe’s

If you like salsa but this one is a must try. Its terrific. I love it. My wife loves it. In fact both of us think it could be a pick for a TJ’s Top Ten.

First you have to that name. “Cowboy Caviar” is a typical South Western dish made with kernels of corn, black beans or black eyed peas, in typical tomato salsa base.

Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar is a great version of this classic, maybe more in a salsa style with corn, black beans, red bell peppers, onions, jalapenos, lime juice and spices, with some kick to it from chipotle chiles in adobo, which give it a bit of heat plus a smoky undertone. TJ’s doesn’t have one of their heat level pictures on the jar. Call it a medium heat? This stuff is soooo good as a salsa, as a dip for chips, especially with the yummy Organic Corn Dippers, and its great on tacos, rice, eggs, mixed into veggies, alongside grilled chicken, or as a little side dish…. you name it, I think it will perk it up.

It comes in a jar so its a really good pantry item to have on hand. You can put out some of this with chips or crackers and you can have something in a few seconds for unexpected guests. A jar now goes for $~~2.99~~ $3.49 (13 oz)

I would buy it again.