Sauce Anna Lisa

Best Homemade Tomato Sauce in Minneapolis

My Family is originally from Naples, Italy. After World War II my grandparents Anna and Louis immigrated to a small town in Northern Minnesota. My grandmother Anna loved to cook and missed the food from her home so much that she opened a small Italian Restaurant called the Woodland Inn. Her great Italian cooking skills and a commercial kitchen (provided by my Grandfather Louis) gave way to quite the culinary experience which was enjoyed by so many. I came along two generations later and fortunately, was able to spend most of my childhood with my grandmother at her restaurant. I learned so much about fresh, homemade, authentic Italian fare... watching and doing what my grandmother Anna Loved. One of the things I remember the most was seeing my Grandmother Anna prepare her homemade sauce. She used only the freshest of herbs and vegetables, along with sun ripened tomatoes. The scent of her homemade pasta sauce was unforgettable. Fresh Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Garlic simmered to sweet perfection. She used it for lasagna, pizza, all sorts of pasta, it complimented any dish. People drove for miles just to enjoy a fresh batch, because Anna's sauce was best!
Today I have re-created this special and slow food experience. I continue to hand select only the freshest ingredients, adding no artificial flavors or preservatives for every jar of sauce I prepare. Each batch is simmered for over ten hours to bring you the same homemade slow cooked flavor that I, and so many others have enjoyed. Use it to top spaghetti, layer lasagna, brush across a pizza pie, or dunk with crusty bread. Whatever you do, please enjoy this fresh, homemade, slow cooked, gourmet Italian sauce... from my family's home to yours, buon appetito!

~Cook Well, Cook Slow, Cook Often, and always enjoy!

Recent Testimonials

I just placed an online order for 6 jars of your Anna Lisa Sauce. I purchased it at the Minneapolis Farmers' Market and LOVED it!!!
Many thanks!

-Charlotte F.

Hello - just wanted to let you know my family, including my young children, loved your sauce! In fact, they were so excited to taste what I brought home from yesterday's Farmers' Market that they took a spoonful out of the jar! The lasagna was fantastico! I'll see you soon, with my mason jar! Cheers!

-Jen W.

Can you tell me where you are located at the farmers market? Tried looking you up to no avail. Also, do you have other outlets in the south metro area? Thank you. P.S. Your sauce is better than my own!

-Kim B.

I purchased a large jar of your Anna Lisa sauce this past Saturday at the Minneapolis Farmers Market and I promised then that I would email you once I had the chance to use it. Last night I made chicken parmesan and spaghetti for dinner for my husband and me. I used your sauce and my husband said it was the best chicken parm he had ever had. I was thrilled to tell you. I loved it too. Your sauce was a huge hit. I can't wait to get my hands on more! I hope you plan to return to the Minneapolis Farmers Market soon!

-Ryanne O.

Your sauce Rocks! I put it over a chicken breast with some fresh mozerella cheese, and everyone at the table was trying to eat my food.

-Jill V.

I just wanted to let you know that we had some of your sauce last night for dinner and it was a hit. It was delicious. We bought it at the farmer's market last weekend.
Are you going to be there again?

-Joan Ann
Eden Prarie, MN

I purchased 2 jars of this, one as a gift, and cooked dinner for some friends. I made two dishes as we had vegetarians; the first dish was meatballs with pasta...the meatballs were a mix of veal and italian sausage with herbs...and the sauce blended and complimented the very flavorful meatballs without either overpowering them or getting lost. The second dish was a variety of mushrooms with olive oil, garlic, pepper, salt and a splash of tobasco for heat. The sauce also went well as you could taste the distinct flavors of the mushrooms. Lisa\'s sauce is the perfect blend of flavor, heartiness, and compatibility with a variety of styles. I look forward to bringing it into more recipies down the road. This sauce beats any storebrand you'll find!

-Chad M.
Minneapolis

My husband and I had your sauce last night. AMAZING!!!:)!!!:) It was so yummy, earthy, fresh, tangy and a little sultry!

-Katy S.
St. Cloud, MN

My wife and I purchased a pint of your sauce at the Minneapolis Farmers market in June. We used it to make a cheese manicotti. The sauce had so much flavor our guests didn't know we had left the meat out! We enjoyed the sauce so much we couldn't wait to purchase more. The next time we were at the farmer's market we purchased a larger jar and used it for a family dinner of baked ziti. We didn't think it was possible but this one was even better than the manicotti. The sauce has so much flavor on its own, in fact we used it as a dipping sauce for bread also for this meal. The flavors were so robust. We can't wait to try more recipes with your sauce!

-Tim D.
Minneapolis

YOUR SAUCE!! We inherited sauce recipes from Italy and we really love your sauce! Light, sweet and very tasty, your flavor is quite excellent on pastas and as a base sauce on chicken receipes too! Just excellent!! Keep going and expand that line!! I'll buy! Sincerely, Tom & Juli

-Tom and Juli D.
Carver, MN

We just wanted to let you know that we enjoyed your pasta sauce. We looked for you at Marketfest last week and couldn't find you. What shows can I get some more sauce. Thanks,

-Bob R.

I purchased one of jars this week end at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. It was the BEST....even my picky husband loved it! :) Where can I find you to purchase more?

-Cindy G.
Minneapolis

We were at the Minneapolis Farmer\'s Market a few weeks ago and my husband stopped by your table to sample your sauce and then asked me to try it. We bought a jar and loved the sauce. Not only that though, you said we should come back and tell you how we liked it and that if we brought the jar back that you would give us a dollar. So last Sunday we did just that. I love that we could buy freshly made sauce, made locally and reuse the bottle. What a wonderful way to reduce our carbon footprint and have a great meal all at the same time. See you after we finish this new jar.

-Gale M.
Minneapolis

Lisa, My husband and I had your wonderful sauce for dinner last night. The sauce tastes incredibly fresh and is perfectly seasoned. I sauteed some garlic, mushrooms and fresh Minnesota-grown zucchini, mixed them all in the sauce and served it over whole grain pasta with grated Parmesan Reggiano.
Fantastic sauce. A lovely meal. Thank you!
It was nice meeting you at the Minnetonka Farmers Market. I wish you the best.

-Cathy P.
Minnetonka

We had your sauce this weekend. OMG, it is SO GOOD. My husband literally was just eating it with a spoon right out of the jar. IT IS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!

-Beth T.
Minneapolis

AnnaLisa,
We purchased your sauce from the Mpls Farmers Market each of the last two weekends. The flavor was fantastic - so fresh. We added spicy italian sausage and mushrooms along with a salad- perfecto.

-Renee L-P
Minneapolis

Bought some of your sauce at the Mpls. farmers market. Loved it. Any chance I can get a few jars tomorrow 8/26/10. Plan on making your Lasagna for extended family this weekend at the cabin. Leaving town tomorrow. :)

-Brenda M.
Minneapolis

8/27/10 - We bought a jar at the Minneapolis Farmers Market 2 weeks ago and used it as a pizza sauce. We, including my picky-about-his-pizza father, thought it was delicious. This past weekend we returned to the market and just had to buy more sauce. Now the whole family is looking forward to opening the next jar!

-Anna D.
Minneapolis

I am on my second jar of your delicious sauce, which I purchased at The Lyndale Farmers Market. It has such a simple delicious taste and I have recommended to others.

-Earnestine M.
Minneapolis

You can spend a lot of money on a trip to Italy to find a sauce this great ... or you can simply go to the Farmers Market on Lyndale and pick up a jar for a few dollars. Hint: buy several jars and save yourself the time of driving back for more, because you will. It is just that incredible!

-Tom B.
Bloomington

I have the sauce both with and without meat (that I added) and it was FABULOUS!
Loved it!

-Stacey
Minneapolis

I bought a jar at the Mpls. Farmer\'s Market a couple months ago. For the last 4 months I have had to follow a specific carbohydrate diet (grain-free). Since it's squash season, I tried the sauce with spaghetti squash! It was delicious! I'm curious where to find you when it is not Farmer's Market season?
Thank You so Much!

-Jules
Minneapolis