Pasta sauce is a staple in most of our pantries. So, it’s important to find a healthy brand! This post will share my Top 7 Best Pasta Sauces, and what you need to look for while shopping.
I love a rich and flavorful pasta sauce. And I’ll agree that homemade sauce is usually the best choice. But realistically? Getting dinner on the table pronto some nights is the main priority. I’ve been there and I’ve done that and yes, I’ve reached for jarred pasta sauce on occasion. Yep, food bloggers/healthy living influencers are people, too!
If you found Top 7 Best Pasta Sauces helpful, the you might also find 7 Best Kombucha Brands, Best Protein Bars, Which is Better: Creamer or Half and Half, and Top 10 Best Deli Meats) helpful as well.
A quick meal of spaghetti is just awesome when the kids and Dustin are hungry. Especially when we need to run out the door for soccer or to walk the dogs...or drop everything to help a kid with homework. In these instances, I’m all for something fast.
Jarred pasta sauce it is! At this point I've figured out the best (healthiest) brands you can keep in your pantry. And I thought it might be nice to share them in a list here. Cuz I know, like me, you aim to feed your family the best.
Now on the days you’ve GOT the time to enjoy making a meal with pasta sauce, I’ve got some recipes you can try. Like spaghetti with amazing meat sauce or four cheese tomato sauce, and low-carb, gluten-free spaghetti squash noodles. Or zucchini noodles. And I’ve got a super healthy homemade tomato sauce, too. And a roasted tomato sauce that freezes great! Throw in some healthy chicken meatballs and you’re good to go.
But let’s get back to the best pasta sauces you can buy, shall we? Keep reading!
What To Look For In A Store-Bought Pasta Sauce
When buying a pasta sauce I’ve got a few “must-haves”, otherwise the sauce just doesn’t make it into the shopping cart. The points I list below are pretty important and will assure you that what you are buying is healthy and tastes good.
Aim for sauces with the following...
Limited ingredients: In my opinion, you’ve got to be able to pronounce (and understand) the ingredients you see on the label. No unpronounceable stuff, and no sketchy ingredients like fillers and coloring. The fewer ingredients, the better. And keep it simple! Tomatoes and a few spices will do.
No added sugar: You’d be surprised at some of the hidden sugars in tomato sauces on the grocery store shelf. Some of the ingredients you may not even recognize as sugar, like cane juice crystals, rice syrup, and maltodextrin.
Clean ingredients: If there are added ingredients, they’ve got to be clean – and healthy. I look for pasta-sauce perfection, with yummy clean-eating ingredients like fresh garlic (gotta love garlic) and olive oil. And you’ll want the closest-to-homemade flavor, too! Sometimes a good pasta sauce will have a little olive oil added for example, and that’s okay. It’s when you get inflammatory oils or oils that are hydrogenated added to the sauce that you’ve got to take a second look.
Other nutritional factors: Watch the sodium content. The recommended intake of sodium per day in adults is 2300mg. But some jarred pasta sauces can have as much as 500mg per ½ cup serving! Keep an eye on the fat content (omega-3’s from olive oil are fine) in the sauce you buy.
I don’t go by cost, because often, the cheaper the sauce, the more likely they’ve skimped on fresh ingredients. I’m not saying I don’t have a budget, because I do, and I meal-plan each week to stay within the budget.
What Is The Healthiest Spaghetti Sauce In A Jar?
Below, I’ll give you examples of some of the healthiest spaghetti sauces in a jar. This will help you make decisions as you shop. Here we go!
Rao’s Pasta Sauce: They call the sauce homemade...and with ingredients like olive oil, onions, and fresh basil, you’ll think you made it yourself! One half cup has 100 calories. This is my top pick, and what I reach for without reservation.
Organico Bello: This is a USDA certified organic brand without added sugar. And there are no GMO ingredients, either.
Cucina Antica: This sauce has 35 calories per ½ cup, and only 1 gram of sugar. Zero trans fats round out the good things about this sauce.
Gorgi: Gorgi Gourmet Foods has got the right idea, with fresh garlic, basil, and olive oil, no sugar added, and no added preservatives.
Primal Kitchen: Made with avocado oil (has no soy or canola oil), Primal Kitchen's pasta sauce is certified paleo, and non GMO verified.
365 Whole Foods Market: This pasta sauce has no added sugar and is USDA certified organic.
Mom’s: Mom’s Pasta Sauce has all-natural ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes and extra heavy tomato purée.
Candace Anderson
Your article about jarred sauce was good. As a rule, I usually do everything homemade, even Alfredo sauce. I am curious about your choice of Almond milk and cream cheese. Is it because of a milk allergy or taste preference? I use heavy cream and grated Parm. Anyway, great article. As we have hurricanes I like to keep some Canned goods on hand as a just in case. Thanks, Candy