About Dolmio
Dolmio stands as the UK's number one Italian pasta sauce brand, bringing the taste of Italy to British family tables since 1986. Owned by Mars, Incorporated, the privately held global food company, Dolmio offers a comprehensive range of bolognese sauces, lasagne sauces, stir-in sauces, and complete meal solutions that have become staples in millions of UK kitchens. The iconic Dolmio puppet family advertising has made the brand synonymous with family mealtimes and Italian-inspired home cooking. The Dolmio story began in 1985 when Masterfoods (a Mars subsidiary) test-launched Alora Spaghetti Bolognese sauce in a 500g resealable glass jar in Australia. The convenient format of a ready-made pasta sauce in a jar proved immediately popular. From Australia, Alora moved to a small launch in Scotland, where it became an immediate hit with consumers seeking convenient Italian-style cooking solutions. Following the Scottish success, Alora was renamed Dolmio and rolled out across the UK in 1986. The brand was subsequently renamed Dolmio globally in 1989, creating a unified international identity. Since those beginnings nearly four decades ago, Dolmio has understood the importance of meals shared with family and friends, positioning itself as the enabler of quality family time around the dinner table. Dolmio has remained under the direct control of Mars, Incorporated throughout its history, with no major ownership changes. The brand sits within Mars Food & Nutrition, formerly Mars Food, alongside other savoury food brands including Ben's Original (formerly Uncle Ben's rice). Mars, Incorporated continues to be privately held by the Mars family as of 2025, maintaining the long-term vision that has built Dolmio into a market leader. The core Dolmio bolognese sauce range provides the foundation for the brand. Dolmio Bolognese Original delivers the classic tomato-based sauce perfect for spaghetti bolognese. Variant flavours include Bolognese with Extra Mushrooms, Bolognese with Hidden Vegetables (appealing to parents seeking ways to incorporate vegetables into children's meals), and Bolognese Smooth for those preferring sauces without chunks. The resealable glass jars maintain freshness between uses. The lasagne sauce range comprises five varieties formulated specifically for assembling layered pasta dishes. The Original Creamy White Sauce provides a rich, velvety base ideal for alternating with meat or vegetable layers. Tomato-based lasagne sauces offer the red layers. Together, these products enable home cooks to create restaurant-quality lasagne with minimal effort compared to making sauces from scratch. Stir-in sauces offer concentrated flavour in smaller formats designed to be stirred through freshly cooked pasta. These convenient pouches and sachets suit time-pressed cooks seeking quick weeknight meals. Flavours span Italian classics and more contemporary options, providing variety beyond traditional bolognese. Dolmio has expanded beyond traditional pasta sauces to include specialised lines for complete meal preparation. Products designed for oven bakes simplify traybake dinners. Ready-to-heat options provide maximum convenience for the busiest households. In March 2025, new ambient ready meals were introduced under the Dolmio Classics and Feasts lines, further expanding meal solution offerings. The Dolmio Family advertising campaign has become iconic in British marketing history. The family concept debuted in 1987 through television commercials in Australia and New Zealand, where live actors portrayed an Italian-American household gathered around pasta dinners. In 2003, the characters evolved into the distinctive puppets that British viewers recognise today, reintroducing the family in a more whimsical, animated form that appeals particularly to children while maintaining nostalgic appeal for adults. The puppet family's exaggerated Italian accents, enthusiastic pasta appreciation, and heartwarming family dynamics have made Dolmio advertisements memorable and effective. The "When's-a your Dolmio Day?" tagline encouraged families to designate regular pasta nights, embedding Dolmio into weekly meal planning routines. Dolmio products are widely available across UK retailers. Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose stock comprehensive ranges. Convenience stores and smaller retailers carry core products. Online grocery platforms provide home delivery options. As the UK's number one Italian pasta sauce brand, Dolmio enjoys excellent retail distribution and shelf presence. When comparing Dolmio to competitors like Loyd Grossman, Ragu, Napolina, and supermarket own-brands, Dolmio leads on brand recognition and range breadth. Loyd Grossman positions as more premium with celebrity endorsement. Ragu offers similar mainstream positioning. Napolina emphasises authentic Italian heritage. Own-brands provide budget alternatives. Dolmio's combination of quality, convenience, and family-focused marketing maintains market leadership. For UK families seeking convenient, tasty Italian-style meals that bring everyone to the table, Dolmio delivers the quality and variety that has made it Britain's favourite pasta sauce for nearly four decades. Whether preparing classic spag bol, layered lasagne, or quick weeknight stir-throughs, Dolmio provides the foundation for satisfying family meals. Using Grocefully to compare Dolmio prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on these kitchen essentials.