COVID reminded us all that efficiency is key when it comes to the kitchen. Pantry products should help reduce time, labor, space and have multiple applications. Fully prepared sauces are great examples. Why not go beyond pasta noodles or a dip for cheese sticks and use marinara or pizza sauce for more applications. Check out some fresh ideas for these sauces below!

Impossible Stromboli - Plant-based proteins are the fastest growing category so why not take advantage of the trend with a baked sandwich with marinara sauce to give it a bold flavor. Or add your choice of protein.

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich - It travels well for delivery or take out, especially with the rich tomato flavor from a marinara or pizza sauce, that is topped with provolone cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese. You can make it a vegan sandwich by replacing the chicken with eggplant!

Spicy Meatball Marinara - Keep it simple with your favorite meatball recipe simmered in a flavorful and full-bodied marinara or pizza sauce. Serve the recipe on a sandwich or on top of pasta.

Baked gnocchi (or any type of pasta like penne and rigatoni) Pomodoro ala basil - This is a classic dish with simple but flavorful ingredients that includes marinara or pizza sauce combined with fresh cream and parmesan cheese. Add spinach or broccoli to provide a plant-based add on.

Tomato Bisque - Marinara simmered with fresh heavy cream and a handful of grated parmesan is sure to please your guest during cold weather months.

Lasagna Soup - Create a soup with bold layers of flavor made with marinara or pizza sauce, ground beef, Italian sausage, your favorite gnocchi, feta, and parmesan with a touch of chicken broth.

Swiss Steak - A hearty Swiss steak dish is easy when it's made with a savory marinara or pizza sauce, onions and bell peppers that is cooked slowly to savor the delicious flavors of the beef and the tomato sauce. Make sure the beef is tender, juicy, and delicious!

Remember fully-prepared marinara sauce and pizza sauce are ready to use in a concept that you assemble, heat, and serve to your guest. These sauces typically do not need additional seasonings, providing a variety of menu applications is key to pleasing guests and adding profit to your bottom line.  

If you need assistance with your menu applications, reach out to your local authorized Bellissimo brand distributor or visit Red Gold's website for additional ideas.

It all started with a hunger to be the best. Back in '85, Chicago's Chef Larry was making Sweet Baby Ray's in his basement. It was a family recipe, so he named the sauce after his little brother, a local west side hoops legend. But what Larry didn't realize was that his brother's nickname would soon become a household name.

Eventually, Chef Larry took a chance and entered his recipe into the country's largest rib cook-off, the Mike Royko. Sweet Baby Ray's beat out nearly 700 competitors and became an overnight sensation. The Sweet Baby Ray’s® sauce line-up, including Sweet Red Chili, Garlic Parmesan, Jamaican Jerk and Mango Habanero. With 15 sauces and counting, featuring sweet, spicy, and savory notes, Sweet Baby Ray’s® signature sauces are loaded with fresh and innovative flavors to keep everyone coming back for more.

Today, Sweet Baby Ray’s knows the secret to attracting diners is following the flavor trends. According to Technomic’s recent Flavor Consumer Trend Report, trending flavors on menus include sweet-and-spicy combos, bourbon-infused sauces, global spices, and nostalgic flavors with a twist.

That’s great news for operators because sauces offer applications far beyond the wing and are a simple way to deliver customization and menu versatility without adding labor to the back of house.

For operators looking to drive more wing volume - 39% of consumers say they are more likely to order a specific dish if it comes with a unique sauce, while 60% say their preferred method for restaurants to impart flavor is sauces.

Now, customers are looking for a whole new breed of chicken dipping sauce! Dipping sauces and chicken are on the rise, and customers want them. Badly. Sales are taking off: the top 500 LSR chicken chains grew 8 percent to $27.1 billion. We also found that:

• 42% of consumers expect restaurants to offer signature flavors, and 50% of millennials agree.
• 43% of foodservice operators have a dipping sauce on their menu.
• Customers are more willing to order an item if it comes with a signature sauce.

To take advantage of these growing trends, operators are enhancing classic fried chicken dishes and sandwiches with unique sauces and flavors. This is your opportunity to put your spin on things with a unique sauce recipe or shake up your menu with one’ of Sweet Baby Ray’s wing-sauce-inspired recipes.

Contact your local authorized Bellissimo Distributor for assistance in menu options and product variety today!