There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm Italian meal on a chilly day—it’s like a hug on a plate. With gooey cheese, perfectly al dente pasta, and the right sauce, every ingredient comes together to create the ultimate cozy dish.
While making sauce from scratch can be rewarding, sometimes you need a shortcut for those busy spaghetti and meatball nights. After all, crafting meatballs from scratch is already time-consuming! Thankfully, the shelves are stocked with plenty of pasta sauce options to simplify your cooking.
Whether you prefer a sweeter sauce, a tangy one with a touch of acidity, or something infused with flavorful herbs or cheeses, there’s a sauce out there to suit your taste. Among the many options, though, one stands out as a true game-changer.
Good & Gather Three Cheeses
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 69
- Fat: 1.5g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Carbs: 11g
- Protein: 2g
This sauce from Good & Gather boasts no artificial colors and provides 3/4 cup of vegetables per serving. With several flavor varieties to choose from, we decided to try the Three Cheese for this review.
The Look:
At first glance, the sauce appears quite thick, but after a quick stir, it reveals a thinner, more liquid consistency. The aroma is undeniably cheesy, though with a slightly funky undertone.
The Taste:
While I usually love the bold flavor of aged cheese, this sauce left a strange aftertaste that I couldn’t get past. It was too overpowering for my liking, and I found the cheese flavor to be more unpleasant than indulgent.
Ultimately, I’d rather skip this sauce and add fresh cheese directly to my pasta for a more balanced and enjoyable flavor. This one missed the mark for me.
Ragu Traditional Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Carbs: 14g
- Protein: 2g
This sauce from Ragu proudly states that it has been “crafted with passion since 1937.” Ragu is one of those polarizing brands—some people love its simplicity, while others find it lacks depth and substance. Curious to see where I’d land, I decided to give it a try since it’s such a big name in the market.
The Look:
This traditional tomato sauce is very thin and has an ultra-puréed consistency. There’s not much going on visually—no chunks, no herbs—just a smooth red base. Let’s dive into the taste.
The Taste:
This sauce instantly took me back to childhood, reminding me of those Ragu microwave kits. Nostalgia aside, the flavor is just okay. It’s thin and watery—not terrible, but far from memorable. With so many other flavorful options available, this isn’t one I’d choose again. It’s serviceable, but nothing special.
Francesco Rinaldi Traditional Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Carbs: 11g
- Protein: 2g
This sauce is made with imported pecorino romano cheese and extra-virgin olive oil, making it seem like a quality choice at first glance.
The Look:
Given the use of imported ingredients, I expected a rich aroma and a touch of sophistication. However, upon twisting off the lid, the sauce appeared like a standard tomato purée—thin and finely blended, with no strong fragrance to set it apart.
The Taste:
The flavor was underwhelming. It’s simple, slightly sweet, and lacks the depth I hoped for. If you prefer a plain, finely puréed sauce, this might work for you, but it doesn’t deliver much excitement. It’s not bad, just not my favorite.
Ragú Simply Traditional Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Carbs: 11g
- Protein: 2g
This Ragu Simply sauce skips added sugars, relying instead on simple ingredients like tomato purée, onions, olive oil, salt, garlic, basil, and oregano. While I’m not usually a fan of Ragu’s traditional sauces, I was intrigued by this more natural take on their classic offerings.
The Look:
Like other Ragu sauces, this one is quite thin and liquidy. I appreciated the absence of added sugar, but the aroma reminded me of Campbell’s tomato soup, with little hint of the other ingredients. Visually and aromatically, it didn’t stand out, and I suspected it might be mediocre.
The Taste:
The flavor has a slight sweetness and an artificial undertone, despite the claim of being made with just eight simple ingredients. While it’s a step up from Ragu’s traditional sauces, it’s still not the best option out there in my opinion. Decent, but far from extraordinary.
Good & Gather Tomato, Basil, and Garlic
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Carbs: 9g
- Protein: 2g
The Good & Gather sauce includes ¾ cup of vegetables per serving, making it a convenient way to sneak in some extra veggies—especially for kids. It’s also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which is a plus.
The Look:
The sauce has a bright red color, is finely puréed, and on the thinner side. There isn’t much of a fragrance beyond tomato; competitors often have a noticeable basil aroma if it’s included in the recipe name, but this sauce is fairly neutral.
The Taste:
If you prefer a no-frills pasta sauce, this one fits the bill. It has a fresh tomato flavor and a mild, plain profile, making it an excellent choice for kids or anyone who likes their sauce simple and straightforward. It’s not bold, but it gets the job done.
Classico Traditional Sweet Basil
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Carbs: 12g
- Protein: 2g
I hadn’t used or even heard of this brand before, but it looked appealing, so I decided to give it a try. However, I did notice that its ingredients aren’t as clean as some other options, with added sugar and citric acid.
The Look:
The sauce is thin and slightly liquidy, with plump, juicy chunks of tomato scattered throughout. It’s speckled with basil, though not as heavily as some other brands like Bertolli.
The Taste:
If you prefer a sweeter sauce, this one is worth considering. While the ingredients aren’t as fresh as some alternatives, the flavor is still enjoyable. The sweetness from the sugar is noticeable but not overpowering. I do wish the basil flavor was more pronounced, but overall, it’s a decent choice for those who like a sweeter, slightly chunkier sauce.
Carbone Marinara Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Carbs: 6g
- Protein: 1g
The Carbone Marinara Sauce stands out for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, which is always a top priority when I’m choosing a spaghetti sauce to keep on hand. Its ingredient list features imported Italian peeled tomatoes, tomato purée, sea salt, basil, onions, olive oil, garlic, and oregano—simple and authentic.
The Look:
The sauce has a noticeable oil film on top, giving it a glossy appearance. It looks quite oil-heavy, but that aligns with their promise of using the finest ingredients and slow-cooking the sauce in small batches. It sounds promising, so let’s dive in!
The Taste:
The aroma is mild and creamy, hinting at the prominence of olive oil in the sauce. The flavor is distinct, with a clear emphasis on the olive oil—thankfully, it’s good-quality oil. While the basil or garlic usually takes center stage in marinara sauces, here the olive oil steals the show. The flavor is subtle and balanced, with a smooth, non-acidic profile.
It’s not bad at all, but it caters to a specific preference—ideal for those who enjoy a lighter, olive-oil-forward marinara.
Prego Traditional Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Carbs: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Prego is a household name in pasta sauces, so I wanted to include their traditional sauce in this roundup. While it’s a popular choice, I wish their ingredient list was cleaner, as it includes added sugar, tomato juice, canola oil, and dried ingredients or extracts instead of fresh options.
The Look:
The sauce is finely puréed and speckled with basil but has a thin, liquidy consistency. When poured over pasta, it spreads out more than I’d like, which isn’t ideal for my preference.
The Taste:
Surprisingly, it’s quite flavorful with a slight sweetness that’s enjoyable. While it lacks the freshness of some other options and uses canola oil instead of olive oil, it delivers on taste. If you’re looking for a flavorful, reliable traditional sauce, this is a solid choice from Prego.
Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Carbs: 6g
- Protein: 2g
Rao’s is a well-known brand in the premium marinara category, with a legacy spanning 120 years. Their commitment to quality ingredients, such as Italian whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, onions, garlic, basil, black pepper, and oregano, makes their sauces a go-to for many.
The Look:
This sauce has a thick, hearty texture with vibrant green flecks of basil. Given Rao’s reputation and clean ingredient list, I was excited to try it out on some pasta.
The Taste:
I went in with high expectations since Rao’s sauces are frequently recommended, but I found it surprisingly mild and understated. The flavor is tame, with a slight sweetness and occasional chunks of tomato. It’s definitely a solid option, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. Still good—just not my favorite.
Bertolli Tomato & Basil
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Carbs: 12g
- Protein: 2g
This sauce is made with olive oil, no artificial colors, and is flavored with natural ingredients. Bertolli combines tomato purée with basil, onions, garlic, and spices for a classic blend.
The Look:
The sauce appears hearty, with plenty of small basil pieces throughout. A quick smell test revealed a sweet, fragrant basil aroma that immediately stood out.
The Taste:
When they say “tomato basil,” they mean it! The basil flavor is bold and pairs beautifully with the juicy tomato flavor and texture. This sauce is an excellent choice if you love basil or are planning to pair it with fresh mozzarella. It’s vibrant and flavorful, making it a great option for seasoning your favorite dishes.
Mezzetta Marinara Sauce
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Carbs: 7g
- Protein: 2g
Mezzetta, a trusted brand since 1935, prides itself on using no added sugar, no preservatives, and non-GMO ingredients. Their sauce features Italian plum tomatoes from Italy’s San Marzano region, California plum tomatoes, imported olive oil, fresh onions, sea salt, fresh garlic, fresh basil, black pepper, and spices. With such attention to detail, I had high hopes for this one.
The Look:
The sauce is thick and hearty, with a smooth consistency—no big chunks or unexpected surprises. It has a rich appearance and a lovely aroma of fresh tomatoes, striking a balance between robust and refined.
The Taste:
This sauce is hands-down my favorite! You can taste the care that went into every decision, from sourcing high-quality tomatoes to selecting fresh ingredients. The texture is smooth and consistent, with the flavors evenly distributed in every bite. The thoughtful craftsmanship makes this sauce stand out as a true premium option.