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Its main ingredients even have some health benefits thanks to theantioxidants found in tomatoesand theheart-healthy fatsfound in olive oil.
Photo: Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh
Still, not everyone has the time to chop and simmer their way to a homemade marinara.
Jarred tomato sauce can be an excellent shortcut when you need help getting a meal on the table quickly.
Here are the seven sauces that stood out in terms of flavor and nutrition.
PHOTO: Amazon
Plus, learn what to look for when reading the label of a jarred sauce.
What to know:At about $10 per jar, this sauce is on the more expensive side.
Raos Marinara takes the cake (or should we say sauce?)
PHOTO: Amazon
when it comes to jarred marinara.
This is the only brand of marinara sauce I buy!
Its rich and delicious and super savory.
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Senior vice presidentMichelle Edelbaumagrees.
I buy it at Costco, and we go through at least a jar a week.
What makes Raos such a staple with theEatingWellteam?
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Its subtle sweetness comes from the hand-picked and ripened Southern Italian tomatoes that are simmered slowly in small batches.
In addition, Raos is naturally vegan and gluten free and features just 6 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What to know:The sauce may taste a bit acidic to some.
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While salt is an excellent flavor enhancer, sometimes we need tolighten our sodium intakefor health.
Monitoring sodium can be even more challenging, given how it cansneak into our diets.
Fortunately, that doesnt necessarily mean you have to take marinara sauce off the table.
PHOTO: Francesco Rinaldi
Victoria Low-Sodium Marinara Sauce packs a flavorful punch without lots of added sodium.
The result is a savory sauce with only 120 mg of sodium per serving.
No added preservatives or sugar are used, and the sauce is vegan, gluten free and kosher-friendly.
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We love that this sauce is finished with olive oil and has no added sugar.
That said, we do wish there were more than 2 g of fiber with all the nutrient-dense vegetables.
What to know:Folks who prefer a more robust sauce may find this recipe too bland.
While there are so many styles of marinara sauce, sometimes you just want a classic go-to.
Thats where Francesco Rinaldi Traditional No Salt Added marinara comes in.
Associate editorDanielle DeAngelissays, My Italian-American household prefers making our own sauce (cough, gravy), naturally.
However, for quick weeknights, were a Francesco Rinaldi family.
Craving a lasagna or eggplant parm but feel short on time?
Skip the homemade sauce and reach for the Classico Roasted Garlic Tomato Spaghetti Sauce.
EatingWell’s associate editor Kayleigh Drake also appreciates the value Classico brings to the table.
I love that Classico combines rich and savory flavors with a super affordable price point, she says.
Every single one that Ive tasted is delicious.
However, all of the marinara sauces featured on our list are tasty options.
But many brands use the sweetness from vegetables, like carrots and onions, to get the job done.
If you’re watching your added sugar, stick to brands with 0 grams.
Plus, many lower-sodium options left a lot to be desired.
Many contain high sodium and added sugars.
During our research, we evaluated preparation methods, ingredients and nutrition.
Common Questions
How long does marinara sauce last in the fridge?
Some companies will add preservatives to prolong the life of the marinara sauce.
If you do, it’s best to toss the marinara sauce (and recycle the jar!).
Can marinara sauce be frozen?
Most marinara sauces can be frozen for up to three months, and some even up to six months.
double-check to place your marinara sauce in a freezer-safe, airtight container first, though.
When youre ready to enjoy your marinara sauce, we recommend defrosting it in the fridge.
Also, remember to check for any signs offreezer burn.
What is the difference between marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce?
The termsmarinara sauceand spaghetti sauce are often thrown around interchangeably.
So, whats the difference?
Technically, marinara sauce could be considered a pop in of pasta sauce.
And while both sauces are typically red and tomato-based, there are some subtle differences.
Marinara is typically a simple, thin sauce made with very few ingredients.
Its tomato-based, it may feature a few aromatics and its mostly homogeneous in texture.
You may see marinara sauce served with pasta or pizza or as a popular dipping sauce alongside mozzarella sticks.
On any given weeknight, Marisa and her family frequently reach for jarred marinara sauce.
She prefers sauce with fresh basil and garlic and without any preservatives.
