At Pellegrino’s®, every jar of marinara sauce tells a story—a story rooted in family, tradition, and a love for authentic Italian cooking. Long before our sauce made it onto store shelves, it was made in the family kitchen, simmered slowly with simple, fresh ingredients. Today, we carry that legacy forward, bringing the same homemade taste to families everywhere.
It Began with Great Grandma Paulina
The Pellegrino family’s passion for food can be traced back to Great Grandma Paulina, whose southern Italian cooking techniques were passed down through generations. She taught her family the importance of keeping recipes simple—letting fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil speak for themselves. These lessons became the foundation of the sauce we still make today.
Passing Recipes Through Generations
Great-Grandma Paulina’s recipes took two distinct paths as they traveled through the family. One path followed Great Aunt Anna, who carried Paulina’s traditions with her when she married into the Rao family. While Rao’s would grow into its own celebrated name, the other path stayed closer to home, safeguarded by Grandma Vivian and later by her daughter-in-law Teresa. Together, they nurtured Paulina’s recipes at countless Sunday dinners, ensuring the flavors remained true to their origins.
That focus on authenticity is what shaped Pellegrino’s® into the sauce it is today—built on heritage, but standing on its own as a brand committed to real ingredients and homemade taste.
Carrying on the Tradition
For decades, Vivian and Teresa kept Paulina’s recipes alive and passed them down to the next generation. Though they are no longer with us, their dedication to authenticity and family tradition lives on through the sauce. In 2018, the Pellegrino family officially launched Pellegrino’s®—not just as a product, but as a way to honor their history and share authentic Italian flavors with more families.
Today, Perry Pellegrino proudly carries the torch as the owner of Pellegrino’s®, continuing the tradition that began in Paulina’s kitchen. Each jar represents the meals shared for generations, bringing authenticity and heart to every table.
What Makes Pellegrino’s® Different
The legacy of Pellegrino’s® is built on a commitment to quality and authenticity. Unlike mass-produced sauces, we keep our recipe simple and true:
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San Marzano tomatoes – rich, naturally sweet, and grown in the volcanic soil of Italy.
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Extra virgin olive oil – smooth and robust, never blended with cheap substitutes.
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Fresh garlic, onions, and basil – no powders, no shortcuts.
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A splash of wine – adding depth and character to every batch.