Trader Joe's is known for its wide selection of beloved grocery items, and if you've browsed their aisles, you know exactly what we mean. The store offers a variety of options, and when it comes to pasta sauces, they don’t disappoint.
Whether you’re after a classic tomato-based sauce for a wholesome pasta dish or something more upscale for a dinner party, Trader Joe's has plenty to choose from. Their selection includes everything from fall-inspired sauces featuring pumpkin and butternut squash to customer favorites like the popular Rosatella sauce, which has shoppers raving on social media. And let’s not forget their pesto options, perfect for those craving something a little different.
With so many choices available, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide which Trader Joe's pasta sauces are worth trying. To make it easier, I taste-tested 19 different sauces, from unique varieties made with unexpected ingredients like walnuts and carrots to others so delicious, I was tempted to eat them straight from the jar.
Here’s the rundown, ranked in descending order, starting with my least favorite and counting down to the absolute best.
Cacio e Pepe Pasta Sauce
Nutrition (Per ¼ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Carbs: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 3 g
Despite knowing that cheese and pepper were the key ingredients in this pasta sauce, I expected a bit more complexity and depth of flavor. Unfortunately, after spending $3.79, I found it too heavy on the pepper and wasn’t a fan of its texture.
Appearance: The sauce had a light gray, mushroom-like color with noticeable black pepper specks throughout. Its consistency was thick and Velveeta-like, making it difficult to clean off the dish after we finished tasting.
Taste: Disappointing. The sauce lacked a rich cheesy flavor and was overwhelmed by an intense black pepper spice that lingered unpleasantly in the throat for several minutes. My boyfriend described the texture as "too gooey" and noted that it didn’t come close to the taste of homemade or restaurant-style cacio e pepe. It was also under-seasoned. I likely won’t purchase this one again.
Three Cheese Pomodoro Pasta Sauce
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 5 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Carbs: 6 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g)
- Protein: 4 g
The ingredients list, featuring indulgent cheeses like Romano, Parmesan, and Asiago, had me excited, so I was surprised when this sauce fell short. For $3.49, I expected a richer cheese flavor, but it didn’t deliver as I had hoped.
Appearance: A light red sauce with an orangey hue. The consistency was balanced—not too watery or too thick—with small bits of onions and tomatoes throughout.
Taste: Disappointing and puzzling. Instead of the bold, cheesy flavor I anticipated, I was met with an earthy, slightly minty taste that didn’t quite fit. If Trader Joe's amped up the cheese flavor, this sauce could be much more enjoyable.
Organic Vodka Sauce
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 4 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Carbs: 12 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 8 g)
- Protein: 3 g
When choosing a vodka sauce, I look for a few key things: creaminess, a zippy vodka flavor, and the ability to blend smoothly with pasta. Unfortunately, this sauce didn’t meet any of those expectations. After spending $3.49, I found it lacked the distinctive vodka taste altogether.
Appearance: A medium red color with a very watery texture. Unlike the chunkier, more robust consistency typical of traditional vodka sauces, this one appeared diluted.
Taste: It was just okay but didn’t really taste like a vodka sauce. It was missing the signature tangy vodka flavor and instead leaned too acidic, with a bitter garlic and menthol aftertaste. Something felt off, and overall, the flavor was flat and underwhelming.
Bolognese Style Tomato and Beef Pasta Sauce
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 4 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Carbs: 6 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g)
- Protein: 4 g
As a fan of homemade Bolognese sauce, I usually prefer to make my own with ground beef, so my expectations for this jarred version were low—and unfortunately, it didn’t surprise me. After spending $3.49, I found the sauce lacking in both meatiness and thickness.
Appearance: The sauce had a thin, watery texture with a transparent brownish-red color. There were tiny bits of what seemed like meat, but overall, it was frustratingly runny and took a while to blend well with the pasta.
Taste: Disappointing. Despite being labeled as a Bolognese-style sauce, it didn’t have the hearty, meaty chunks that I associate with a good Bolognese. On the plus side, it wasn’t overly salty or sweet, and my boyfriend did notice a pleasant umami flavor. I think it could benefit from some grated Parmesan or a dash of crushed red pepper—it just needs a little something extra. Personally, I prefer Trader Joe’s frozen Bolognese sauce, but unfortunately, it seems to have been discontinued.
Vegan Kale, Cashew, and Basil Pesto
Nutrition (Per ¼ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 18 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Carbs: 5 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: <1 g)
- Protein: 2 g
This dairy-free pesto, made with kale, cashew butter, and lemon juice, offers a strong herbaceous flavor. While the $3.99 price tag isn’t bad, Trader Joe’s has other pesto options that outshine this one.
Appearance: A pale green color with bits of dark green basil and kale throughout. The consistency was creamy, with little visible oil.
Taste: The first flavor to hit was kale, which surprised me. It tasted fresh—understandable, given that it’s a refrigerated option—and had a nice lemony, garlicky bite. While it wasn’t bad, I felt it could use a bit more salt and pepper. I’d consider buying it again, but I’d definitely add extra seasoning next time.
Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce
Nutrition (Per ¼ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Carbs: 6 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: <1 g
If you're looking for a spicy sauce to liven up your pasta dishes, Trader Joe’s Calabrian Spicy Pasta Sauce might be worth a try, though the heat feels more like bottled hot sauce than authentic Calabrian chili. I picked this one up for $4.99, and while it’s exciting, it’s something I’d only reach for on occasion.
Appearance: A creamy, orangey-red sauce with a texture that reminded me of baby food. It mixed well with the pasta without any issues.
Taste: While I enjoy spicy foods, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. The heat was more akin to Frank's hot sauce rather than the distinct kick of Calabrian chili that I expected. The texture was also a bit off for me, coming across as almost slimy. Overall, this sauce could use some adjustments.
Organic Low-Fat Tomato Basil Marinara
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Carbs: 10 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 2 g
Trader Joe's offers a reduced-fat version of its convenient Tomato Basil Marinara, a great choice if you’re seeking a healthier option. Made with organic ingredients like tomato purée, garlic, basil, and onion, it has a nice consistency. At $1.99, it’s a sauce I’d likely buy again when I want a lighter alternative.
Appearance: A dark red sauce with a slightly chunky texture. It poured easily from the jar and contained small pieces of onion, with visible herbs and spices.
Taste: This sauce closely resembled Trader Joe’s traditional Tomato Basil Marinara, but the basil flavor was much stronger, almost overpowering the other ingredients. Despite that, it wasn’t overly sweet or salty and left no unpleasant aftertaste. While it was enjoyable, I’d probably opt for the regular Tomato Basil Marinara next time.
Thick, Bold, & Spicy Red Sauce
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Carbs: 10 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 2 g
Trader Joe's offers a reduced-fat version of its convenient Tomato Basil Marinara, a great choice if you’re seeking a healthier option. Made with organic ingredients like tomato purée, garlic, basil, and onion, it has a nice consistency. At $1.99, it’s a sauce I’d likely buy again when I want a lighter alternative.
Appearance: A dark red sauce with a slightly chunky texture. It poured easily from the jar and contained small pieces of onion, with visible herbs and spices.
Taste: This sauce closely resembled Trader Joe’s traditional Tomato Basil Marinara, but the basil flavor was much stronger, almost overpowering the other ingredients. Despite that, it wasn’t overly sweet or salty and left no unpleasant aftertaste. While it was enjoyable, I’d probably opt for the regular Tomato Basil Marinara next time.
Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce
Nutrition (Per ½ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 5 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Carbs: 10 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 6 g)
- Protein: 2 g
This Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce sounded promising but was far too basil-heavy in flavor. A more balanced taste would have made a big difference. I spent $3.49 on a tomato sauce that I probably won’t repurchase.
Appearance: A deep red sauce with visible bits of hunter-green basil. The consistency was similar to puréed vegetables, less chunky than the Roasted Garlic Marinara, though it came in a similar glass jar. It felt thick when mixed with the pasta.
Taste: It was just okay. My boyfriend noted a slightly bitter taste with strong, earthy undertones that didn’t work well. There was also a smoky aftertaste that neither of us enjoyed. It wasn’t terrible, but it’s not a sauce you’d look forward to having again.
Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Almond Pesto Sauce
Nutrition (Per ¼ Cup Serving):
- Calories: 76
- Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Carbs: 2 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 2 g
Roasted red peppers, chopped almonds, Pecorino Romano cheese, marjoram, and paprika come together in this orange-colored pesto, offering an unexpected flavor combination. While the ingredients were intriguing, they didn’t blend as well as I’d hoped. At $3.99, I feel this pesto might work better as a dip rather than a pasta sauce.
Appearance: A light orange hue with visible bits of crushed red peppers, seeds, and chopped onions. Thick and opaque, it resembled a dip more than a sauce.
Taste: The best way to describe this is "close, but not quite." It wasn’t bad, but it lacked that something extra. The roasted red pepper provided a rich, smoky flavor, but the sauce needed more salt or a hint of sweetness to elevate it. The crunchy almond pieces were also unexpected. While I’d enjoy dipping crusty bread into this, I’m not sure it’s something I’d want to use as an everyday pasta sauce.