There are many pre-made Italian pasta sauces that are made with meat, leaving plant-based consumers to choose from a limited number of plain options but Prego is introducing a meatless pasta sauce with meat-like crumbles. The all-new Prego+ Plant Protein combines a tomato sauce with soy-based vegan meat crumbles to offer four grams of plant-based protein per serving.
As Steve Siegal, Vice President of Marketing, Meals & Sauces, told VegNews, "We were inspired to create Prego+ Plant Protein for consumers who are increasingly integrating plant-based foods into their diets to get additional protein."
The vegan meat sauce has the potential to elevate pasta meals with added texture, helping consumers from having to mix in their own meatless crumbles or a plant-based substitution of their own for added protein.
Meaty Plant-Based Pasta Sauces
Prego's Meatless Pasta Sauce Includes Vegan Protein Crumbles
Trend Themes
1. Meatless Pasta Sauces - The shift to plant-based diets is increasing the demand for meatless pasta sauces that still provide a protein source for consumers.
2. Soy-based Meat Alternatives - The use of soy-based vegan crumbles in Prego's pasta sauce demonstrates an opportunity for companies to innovate soy-based meat alternatives and increase their plant-based protein content to attract health-conscious consumers.
3. Convenience Foods - As consumers become more time-strapped, they are looking for more convenient, pre-made meals that still meet their dietary preferences, creating a place for plant-based companies to expand into ready-made meals.
Industry Implications
1. Plant-based Meat Alternatives - Companies in the plant-based meat alternative industry can create innovative, protein-packed substitutes to meet the increasing demand for more flavorful and textured vegan meat.
2. Packaged Foods - As consumers continue to seek convenience, there is room for companies in the packaged foods industry to expand their product lines to include more plant-based options while still offering a good source of protein.
3. Italian Cuisine - Opportunities exist for companies in the Italian cuisine industry to adapt to increasing consumer demand for plant-based meals by incorporating soy-based meat alternatives into traditional dishes.