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It saves my weeknight dinners.

I’ve long been a fan of The Pasta Queen. Also known as Nadia Caterina Munno, the Italian social media entertainer is beloved for her sultry, playful, and funny social media videos demonstrating genuinely delicious-looking pasta dishes. I’ve tried a number of them and they are, in fact, “gorgeous.” She does an incredible job turning basic ingredients into restaurant-worthy dishes. Bellissimo!

When I found out that The Pasta Queen was releasing a new line of pasta sauces exclusively at Walmart, my ears perked up. I admire her commitment to high-quality ingredients, so I assumed her sauces would reflect that. I also liked that they were being offered at a super accessible store like Walmart.

Priced at $6.49 each (for 24 ounces), all five sauces run almost a dollar cheaper than Rao’s at my local Walmart, a good deal if they deliver a homemade-tasting sauce with zero effort. I snagged a few jars and put them through a taste test with my neighbors.

How I Tested The Pasta Queen’s Sauces

I cooked up a pound of penne pasta and a pound of bucatini. After draining, I tossed the hot penne with The Pasta Queen’s Spicy Vodka Sauce and the bucatini with her Arrabbiata sauce. I served both to five of my neighbors (as well as myself) with grated Parmesan on the side for sprinkling.

I examined the labels while cooking, and I love how the ingredient lists contain easily identifiable ingredients and what you’d expect to find in these sauces. You can taste the quality, too (yes, I had a little nibble in my kitchen). Both sauces had great fresh tomato flavor, not too sweet or concentrated like some jarred sauces. They were the right consistency for tossing with pasta, neither too liquidy nor too dry.

The Verdict

The sauces were a big hit. The Spicy Vodka won by a single vote, but everyone also loved the Arrabbiata (my personal favorite). While it says “spicy,” the vodka sauce is mild with a subtle spiciness. That makes it a crowd-pleaser, and my two-year-old neighbor could not get enough. It’s just creamy enough without feeling heavy and would pair well with a range of pasta shapes.

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The Arrabbiata has a more noticeable kick from the chile, which I loved. It’s just right for spice lovers, and spice fiends can sprinkle extra red pepper flakes on top. The simple sauce has excellent tomato flavor and tastes homemade. I loved it with the bucatini, but any pasta shape will do.

I’ve got a jar of the marinara tucked away in the pantry that I’ll be trying soon, and I expect it’ll be similarly delicious. The Pasta Queen’s sauce line also includes a couple of cheesy, creamy options, if you’re so inclined.

It looks like the new sauces are selling out here and there, but if you strike out on your next trip to Walmart, keep an eye out since they’re sure to appear at a store near you very soon. I’ll be stocking up for emergency dinners that feel anything but last minute.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.