When you want to prepare a pasta dish that is delicious, fast, and easy to make, the sauce you choose is very important. That's why we're here to introduce you to the best pasta sauces in America. The list includes a classic favorite, Raos Homemade sauce, as well as some lesser-known but equally delicious options. Welcome to the pasta sauce arena!
If you are looking for the best store-bought pasta sauces, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to find out what we discovered.
Americans' Obsession with Pasta: 6 Billion Pounds Devoured Annually
Before we reveal the best pasta sauces, let's take a moment to acknowledge our mutual love for pasta. In the United States alone, we consume nearly 6 billion pounds of pasta annually. A significant amount of that pasta is enjoyed with store-bought pasta sauce, which leads us to the main event.
The Great Pasta Sauce Showdown
Imagine yourself in our top-secret pasta sauce test kitchen, equipped with a spoon and a heart full of culinary courage. We have searched the pasta sauce landscape, tasting, testing, and working hard to provide you with the complete saucy rundown. So, without further delay, here is the list of the best pasta sauces ranked from worst to best.
Here are the top 12 pasta sauces, correctly ranked for your gastronomic delight.
12. Ragu: A Once-Glorious Brand
Ragu, once a beacon of authentic Italian flavor, has sadly lost its way over the years. What was once an Italian love story now tastes over-processed and lacks the charm it once possessed. If you've been loyal to Ragu, it's time to spread your wings and embark on a saucier adventure.
11. Barilla: Trusty Pasta, Questionable Sauce
Barilla, a trusted name in pasta, offers a variety of shapes and sizes to complement your culinary creations. However, when it comes to pasta sauce, proceed with caution. Despite its "no sugar added" claim, Barilla's pasta sauce has an overwhelming sweetness that lingers like an unwanted guest at a party. Plus, the sauce's watery consistency leaves much to be desired. Save yourself the sugary heartache and explore other options.
10. Bertolli: Deceptive Elegance
Bertolli may dazzle with its fancy packaging and mouthwatering descriptions, but the reality inside the jar doesn't quite match the facade. The red sauces taste like diluted ketchup, and the white ones offer a subtle milky flavor. If your idea of great pasta sauce is akin to tomato paste, you may find solace here. But we're in pursuit of pasta sauce perfection, so keep your expectations in check.
9. Prego: An Americanized Twist
Prego, one of the world's top tomato sauce sellers, delivers sauces with an Americanized twist that lacks the authentic Italian flair we crave. The tomato flavor takes a back seat, overshadowed by an abundance of garlic. Choosing Prego over superior brands is like visiting Italy and opting for a fast-food burger instead of savoring legendary pizza-an unfortunate choice, indeed.
8. Classico: Simple and Satisfying
Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce provides a straightforward yet enjoyable solution for pasta lovers. It's widely available, budget-friendly, and strikes a harmonious balance between tangy tomatoes and zesty basil. While Classico may lack an exciting origin story or eye-catching jar design, it consistently delivers delicious pasta sauce without breaking the bank.
7. Whole Foods 365: Organic Excellence
For health-conscious pasta enthusiasts, Whole Foods 365 Organic Pasta Sauce takes the crown. It's organic, vegetarian-friendly, vegan-friendly, paleo-friendly, dairy-free, and low-fat, with no added sugar. Featuring a variety of flavors, it caters to the discerning palate.
6. Victoria: The Art of Exceptional Ingredients
Victoria understands the essence of a remarkable pasta sauce lies in using top-notch ingredients. Imported tomatoes, olive oil from Italy, and locally sourced basil create a sauce that exudes freshness and authenticity. Victoria's commitment to kettle-cooking its sauces for hours imparts a homemade quality that sets it apart from major sauce brands. Each spoonful will evoke memories of your Italian grandmother's treasured recipes.
5. Trader Joe's: A Treasure Trove of Flavor
Trader Joe's presents a treasure trove of pasta sauce options. Their store brand sauces consistently impress, offering quality and taste that won't disappoint. Among the gems is Trader Joe's Organic Vodka Sauce, a creamy tomato masterpiece. Don't worry; you won't get tipsy from indulging-the alcohol content dissipates during cooking. What remains is a velvety sauce that elevates any pasta dish to culinary excellence. Certified USADA organic, it stands tall among its culinary counterparts.
4. Newman's Own: A Generous Helping of Flavor
Newman's Own, a brand synonymous with philanthropy, serves up a plethora of pasta sauce choices. Their Alfredo sauce takes center stage with its rich, flavorful profile. While the marinara sauce may fall short in texture, it still brings a pleasant taste to the table. When paired with pasta cooked directly in the sauce, it's a duo that satisfies your pasta cravings with a side of social good.
3. Whole Foods 365: Organic and Beyond
Whole Foods, the bastion of organic goodness, provides a remarkable store-brand pasta sauce. Whole Foods 365 Organic Pasta Sauce not only caters to the health-conscious but also tantalizes the taste buds. It boasts an impressive range of attributes-organic, vegetarian-friendly, vegan-friendly, paleo-friendly, dairy-free, and low-fat, with no added sugar. With flavors that span classic marinara to innovative options like plant-based Bolognese and pumpkin cardamom, it offers a sauce for every dietary preference.
2. Rao's Homemade: The Pinnacle of Pasta Sauces
Now, let's talk about the sauce that has all the pasta enthusiasts singing "That's Amore!" Rao's Homemade claims the number two spot on our saucy ranking, and it's not just for show. When you encounter Rao's Homemade pasta sauces, you'll immediately notice the difference. These sauces are anything but ordinary. Their thick, chunky, and vibrant appearance screams homemade, setting them apart from the uniform, store-bought competition. Once you pop open that jar, the aromatic embrace that wafts out is nothing short of otherworldly.
Rao's Homemade pays homage to Italian authenticity with imported tomatoes and olive oil from Italy, simmering their sauces in small batches over extended periods of time. The result is a pasta sauce that's peerless in flavor and quality. While the price tag may raise an eyebrow, rest assured, every cent is money well spent. Rao's Homemade proves that you can't put a price on heavenly pasta sauce.
1. Cascone's: Reigning Supreme in the Pasta Sauce Kingdom
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, the pasta sauce crowned as the undisputed champion: Cascone's Authentic Italian Sicilian Style Sunday Pasta Spaghetti Sauce! Yes, Cascone's claims the throne as the reigning ruler of pasta sauces. This gluten-free marvel is crafted with Grade A tomatoes, ensuring a natural sweetness that's tailor-made for an authentic Sicilian-style Sunday sauce.
Cascone's recipe marries pure oil with an expertly blended medley of herbs and spices, transforming every dish into a flavor-packed masterpiece. What's more, these sauces are handcrafted with love rooted in their Italian heritage, using only the freshest ingredients available. The Cascone's legacy of being family-owned and operated since 1954 adds a touch of tradition to every jar.
So, there you have it-our saucy journey through the pasta sauce kingdom, crowned by Cascone's at the top. It's time to elevate your pasta game and indulge in the glory of the number-one pasta sauce on the market. Say arrivederci to ordinary pasta nights and buongiorno to a culinary experience fit for royalty. Enjoy your pasta adventures, sauce aficionados! And pass the parmesan, please.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of foodworldnews.com
