Oprah Winfrey shares his favorite things on “World News Tonight with David Muir” for the fifth consecutive year, as part of the annual program Made in America Christmas series featuring items made in the United States.
“We’re highlighting incredible small businesses all across America,” Oprah said.
Oprah Winfrey is back with her “Favorite Things” of 2025.
Eli Schmidt/Oprah Daily
One of the businesses on the media legend’s list this year is Italian-American restaurant Rubirosa with its “Pasta Sampler and Marinara Sauce Gift Set.” The sample includes reginetti, fusilli and lumache pasta, as well as three jars of marinara sauce.
“World News Tonight” anchor David Muir visited the restaurant to try its popular pasta sauces and meet its team. Located in the heart of New York’s Nolita neighborhood, Rubirosa opened in 2009.
Maria Pappalardo took over the business in 2015 after her father moved to New York from Naples, Italy and launched the famous pizzeria “Joe and Pat’s” on Staten Island in 1960.
“World News Tonight” anchor David Muir visits one of the businesses that made Oprah’s list this year, Rubirosa, in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood.
ABC News
The cuisine served at Rubirosa is inspired by original family recipes. Most of Pappalardo’s current employees have worked at the restaurant for more than a decade.
Muir sat down with Pappalardo and I tried the restaurant’s famous marinara and vodka sauces straight from the kitchen.
“There are very few ingredients: you have plum tomatoes, garlic, oil, salt, pepper,” Pappalardo said, explaining the simple recipe for his marinara sauce.
Rubirosa’s Pasta and Marinara Sauce Sampler Gift Set is on Oprah’s 2025 Favorite Things List.
ABC News
The tomatoes for the sauce are grown in California, and the restaurant’s pasta and cans are both made in New York.
For those who can’t make it to the busy Rubirosa restaurant, its pasta sauces can also be purchased online.
See the full list of companies featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things this year with American-made products:
Specialty Personalized Trio Gift Box from The Gourmet Chip Company (Asheville, NC)
Springs Fireplace Hot Sauce Trio Gift Set (East Hampton, New York)
Stingray Stain Remover (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Mild Soap (Marietta, Georgia)
‘World News Tonight with David Muir’ will continue to party companies creating American-made Christmas gifts throughout the month of December.
