Bertolli Premium Pasta Sauces in pouch short on flavor

Food panel tasters aren’t paying extra for this kind of shortcut.

There was a resounding thumbs-down around the table for Bertolli’s new premium pasta sauces. Our tasting volunteers gave the Champignon and Portobello Mushroom variety just two stars for flavor and the Summer Crushed Tomato and Basil just one and a half stars on the five-star scale. The sauce comes in a microwavable pouch. Just clip the corner of the package, zap and serve.

“Sauce borders on tasteless,” said Lindi Messenger, of the Summer Crushed Tomato and Basil, served on spaghetti. “Bland with a strange artificial taste.”

Nancy Robinson agreed that the sauce had an unpleasant, artificial flavor. “A waste of spaghetti noodles,” she complained.

Tasters liked the Champignon and Portobello Mushroom sauce a bit better, but only a little bit. It was served atop penne.

“Factory fresh and odd tasting with weird, mysterious bits hiding here and there,” said Andy Hoye.

Larry Inman won’t be buying any. “Tastes like it came right out of a can. Very commercial and not very good,” he said.

Not even the convenience packaging could save Bertolli’s new product. Tasters were even less impressed when they found out the microwavable package costs about the same as a larger jar of pasta sauce. The 13.5-ounce pouch contains three servings and sells for about $2.79 (although we found it on sale for as low as $1.95).

Vicki Deschaine says she’s sticking with tried and true. “Where did all the flavors go? I’d rather open a jar of Classico than consider this product.”

Bertolli Premium Pasta Sauce, Summer Crushed Tomato and Basil

Price: $2.79 for 13.5 ounces, about 3 (1/2-cup) servings

Nutrition per serving: 80 calories, 4 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 45 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 10 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 450 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • 1/2

Value: • 1/2

Comments: “Not very tasty and I would definitely not buy this.” – Larry Inman

“The high point of this sauce is the bright red color… very plain, boring and expensive.” – Andy Hoye

“Not very good.” – Marilyn Moore

Bertolli Premium Pasta Sauce, Champignon and Portobello Mushroom

Price: $2.79 for 13.5 ounces, about 3 (1/2-cup) servings

Nutrition per serving: 100 calories, 6 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 54 percent fat calories), no protein, 10 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 430 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • •

Value: • •

Comments: “Sauce leans toward the tangy side, a bit watery but nice chunks of tomato, herbs and spices.” – Lindi Messenger

“Where did all the flavors go? I’d rather open a jar of Classico than consider this product.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Sauce is thin with a sharp, unpleasant taste. Oily and not much flavor.” – Nancy Robinson