I’m an Italian Chef and the Only Jarred Pasta Sauce I Buy Comes From Trader Joe's

I'm Italian and a chef, so most days, I'm down to do things the long way, like simmer pasta sauce all day or make my own bread. It's partially how I was raised and partially what has been hammered into me working for nearly a decade in professional kitchens. So when I go to the grocery store, I tend to stay away from things like jarred sauces or "shortcut" items.

However, after browsing the shelves at Trader Joe's, tired from the week and extremely hungry—the sweet spot for grocery impulse buying—I came across TJ's Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Almond Pesto Sauce. I bought it on a whim, thinking I'd try it on some pasta for a quick dinner that night with sliced Italian sausage and a handful of kale, but without much expectation.

After the first bite, I was floored! The result tasted like something I'd regularly order at my local Italian restaurant. There was so much flavor and texture; it tasted like a homemade pesto—and even fooled my partner into thinking I made it myself. The roasted red peppers are sweet with just a light smoky flavor, the chunky almond pieces give it a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor, and the herbs and dash of paprika give it an intriguing depth. I finished the jar in two days.

How to Use TJ's Roasted Red Pepper and Almond Pesto Sauce

After that, I was hooked. The following week I went back and bought two more jars. I was astounded at how easily this bold-flavored pesto integrated into so many meals. For breakfast, I dotted spoonfuls into a frittata. Then for dinner that night, I used it as the base for flatbread pizza with peppery arugula and creamy goat cheese. I've bought it every week since that first faithful day, and I've yet to find something it doesn't go well with; it livens up protein like chicken or fish but also feels right at home on veggies, tossed with roasted potatoes or under a pile of grilled asparagus.

At $4.99, the sauce competes with the best of them—and it doesn't require any doctoring up. Sauce, noodles, and just a few add-ins? Now that's a win for those tired, hungry weeknights.