Frequently asked questions — artisan pasta sauces
What makes artisan pasta sauce different from supermarket pasta sauce?
The key differences are ingredients, concentration and production method. Mass-market pasta sauces typically contain added water, sugar, citric acid and stabilisers to extend shelf life and reduce costs. Artisan sauces like those from Pasta Zaccagni and Moulins Mahjoub use only the core ingredients — vegetables, olive oil and salt — with no additions. The result is a more concentrated, intense flavour that tastes genuinely of the ingredients rather than a processed approximation. You also typically need less sauce per portion as the flavour is more powerful.
Are your pasta sauces preservative-free?
Yes. Both Pasta Zaccagni and Moulins Mahjoub produce their sauces without artificial preservatives, added sugar or added water. The natural acidity of the tomatoes combined with the olive oil and the heat treatment during jarring provides natural preservation without the need for additives.
Are your pasta sauces organic?
The Moulins Mahjoub range is certified organic — the Mahjoub family farm in Tunisia has been certified organic since 1994 and all vegetables used in their sauces are grown on the estate. The Pasta Zaccagni range uses high-quality Italian vegetables from Abruzzo but is not certified organic. Please check individual product pages for full certification details.
Which pasta sauce goes with which pasta shape?
Chunky vegetable sauces like ortolana work best with short, ridged pasta shapes — penne, rigatoni or fusilli — that catch the pieces of vegetable. Smooth tomato-based sauces like arrabbiata and basil sauce work with almost any shape but are particularly good with long pasta like spaghetti or linguine. Pesto Genovese is traditionally served with trofie or spaghetti. The Tunisian-style sauces from Moulins Mahjoub — which tend to be more concentrated and spiced — work beautifully with short pasta, couscous or as a cooking sauce for fish and meat.
Where do the Pasta Zaccagni sauces come from?
Pasta Zaccagni is a family producer based in Miglianico in Abruzzo, central Italy. The same family that produces the award-winning bronze-drawn pasta also makes a range of pasta sauces using local Abruzzo vegetables. The sauces are designed to pair specifically with Zaccagni pasta — both the conventional and gluten-free ranges.
Where do the Moulins Mahjoub sauces come from?
Moulins Mahjoub is a family-run certified organic farm in the Mejerda Valley in northern Tunisia, one of the oldest certified organic estates in the Mediterranean. Their pasta and cooking sauces are made using vegetables grown and harvested on the estate, prepared in small batches using traditional Berber recipes and preserved naturally in estate-produced extra virgin olive oil. No added water, sugar or preservatives are used.
Where can I buy artisan Italian pasta sauces in the UK?
The Artisan Olive Oil Company stocks a range of artisan pasta sauces from Pasta Zaccagni in Abruzzo and Moulins Mahjoub in Tunisia, all available for UK delivery from our London warehouse. Free delivery on orders over £70 to mainland UK.
