When it comes to pasta sauce, we all enjoy the homemade stuff just like Mom used to make, but we don’t always have the time. That’s why knowing a good store-bought brand is so crucial. A good jar of marinara can make weeknight dinners easy and delicious. Our culinary and editorial teams wanted to find this perfect jarred sauce, so we tested 11 brands—some standards and a few that were totally new to us.
What We Looked for in Best Spaghetti Sauce
Each pasta sauce was tested blindly and judged according to these criteria:
- Flavor: The right combination of tomato, garlic, herbs and olive oil is what makes a marinara sauce so satisfying. The best sauce should have all these ingredients in perfect harmony.
- Texture: What was the texture like? Rustic and a bit chunky? Thin and smooth? Our Test Kitchen wanted a sauce somewhere in the middle.
- Appearance: A good sauce should be a rich red color with visible herbs and even garlic. It should look great heaped over a pile of spaghetti with meatballs or spooned into a casserole for an easy lasagna.
Test Kitchen-Preferred Spaghetti Sauce
After testing 11 brands, our team can confidently say that we’ve found our best-loved brand, the one that’ll make that spaghetti bake (and your lasagna, manicotti, chicken parmesan and more) really come to life. Check out our picks for what to stock in your pantry.
Most Authentic: Rao’s Marinara
The marinara that we most wanted topping our plate of spaghetti and meatballs came from Rao’s. This sauce gave us great tomato flavor—very fresh and bright. Combined with the right balance of onion, garlic, pepper, basil and oregano, it gave this sauce an authentic Italian taste. What made this sauce our top pick, though, was its spot-on texture—absolutely perfect for coating any pasta.
Best for Garlic Lovers: Frescorti Marinara
Garlic-lovers, this is the sauce for you. Frescorti offered a garlic-packed sauce with a good helping of onion and black pepper as well. The thicker texture was also notable—great for spooning over your favorite chicken parmesan (we break down a recipe step-by-step here).
Best Budget Brand: Francesco Rinaldi Marinara
For folks looking for an herb-filled sauce, be sure to grab a jar of Francesco Rinaldi sauce (and it’s less than $2 a jar!). This sauce had good basil and oregano flavor. Plus, the good texture—not too thick or thin—make it a good all-purpose sauce perfect for keeping in the pantry for quick dinners.
What to Make with Spaghetti Sauce
When it comes to a jar of pasta sauce, the options are vast. Want a quick dinner? Just stir in your favorite pasta and add a sprinkle of cheese. Want something a bit more substantial? Use it in baked ziti or manicotti. Marinara is for more than just spaghetti after all! Just check out all these amazing takes.
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Lazy Lasagna for 2
One day when I craved lasagna, I devised this simple recipe and it worked out beautifully. Celebrate weeknights, too! —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Chicken Parmesan Slider Bake
Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Decadent Spinach-Stuffed Shells
I created this comforting stuffed shells dish to serve on Christmas Eve, but it’s so good we enjoy it all year long. It can easily be assembled and frozen to bake at a later date. If you have any leftover cheese mixture, it can be served as a dip either cold or spooned into ramekins and baked until brown. If you don’t like roasted red peppers, feel free to substitute chopped sun-dried tomatoes in the filling and any other pasta sauce. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, CO
Quick Pepperoni Calzones
This calzone recipe takes the Italian favorite to the next level with Parmesan and herbs sprinkled on top. —Shannon Roum, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes
These tasty sloppy joes with plenty of mass appeal are perfect for a gathering. If you're taking them to an event later in the day, simplify your morning by cooking the beef mixture and stirring in other ingredients the night before. Cool the meat sauce in shallow bowls in the fridge, then cover and refrigerate them overnight. The next day, transfer the meat mixture to the slow cooker to finish cooking, and then keep it warm for the party. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, OH
Lasagna Toss
This easy skillet dish tastes just like lasagna without all the layering prep work. It's perfect for busy weeknights! —Sharon Martin, Denver, Pennsylvania
Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan
Saucy chicken, melty mozzarella and crisp-tender broccoli, all in one pan. What could be better? —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
Cheese Manicotti
Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and years later he still enjoys it! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Florentine Spaghetti Bake
This hearty sausage entree will appeal to just about everyone. My daughter serves it often to her hardworking family on their wheat ranch in Montana. —Lorraine Martin, Lincoln, California
Best Italian Sausage Sandwiches
While the rich tomato sauce simmers away in the slow cooker, the afternoon is all yours. Before game time, just grill the Italian sausages and these saucy sandwiches are ready to eat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Parmesan Burgers
A restaurant-quality burger that's topped with marinara and loaded with cheese—what's not to love? Fresh basil adds even more flavor. —Brooke Petras, Alpine, California
Chicken Pesto Meatballs
These tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They're short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno
After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own version of it—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this when I'm making it and freeze the second one for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Muffin-Tin Lasagnas
This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowadata-image-analytics="{"licensorName":"not available","credits":"Taste of Home"}" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 348px, (max-width: 480px) 696px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 880px) 696px, (max-width: 1200px) 1024px, 1024px" src="https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-696x696.jpg" srcset="https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-696x696.jpg 696w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-348x348.jpg 348w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-700x700.jpg 700w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-180x180.jpg 180w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2-10x10.jpg 10w, https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheese-Stuffed-Shells_EXPS_MRRA19_129_C11_16_2b-2.jpg 1200w" title="Cheese-Stuffed Shells">
source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-spaghetti-sauce/
Cheese-Stuffed Shells
When I was living in California, I tasted this rich cheesy pasta dish at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. I got the recipe and made a few changes to it in my own kitchen. I'm happy to share it with you. —Lori Mecca, Grants Pass, Oregon
Sicilian Nachos
Crispy bread replaces the classic tortilla chips and savory meat sauce tops things off. This hearty appetizer easily doubles as a main dish. Add a salad and you have dinner. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sausages
My family loves this recipe. It’s such a good all-around dish, either for sandwiches like these or served with hot cooked spaghetti.
Sausage Manicotti
This classic Italian entree comes together in a snap, but tastes like it took hours. It's so easy to fix, and my family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota
Italian Mushroom Meat Loaf
Healthful oats and flaxseed amp up the nutrition in this tasty meat loaf. —Kylie Werning, Candler, North Carolina
Cheesy Pepperoni Buns
Like a pizza version of a sloppy joe, this open-faced sandwich is a surefire kid-pleaser! —Tanya Belt, Newcomerstown, Ohio
Homemade Manicotti
These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills. —Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York
Ravioli Appetizer Pops
Ravioli on a stick is a tasty appetizer everyone talks about. They’re simple and fun to make and eat. Use packaged dipping sauces, or make your own. Get my recipes on my blog, thehopelesshousewife.com. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Saucy Skillet Lasagna
Thanks to no-cook lasagna noodles, this skillet lasagna makes a fresh, filling, flavorful and fast entree for any Italian meal. —Meghan Crihfield, Ripley, West Virginia
Spicy Shrimp & Penne Pasta
I created this creamy pasta dish when I needed to use up some marinara. Red pepper flakes give it a little heat, which my family loves. It's super versatile, so try it with chicken, or simply stir in some fresh basil, too. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Cheesy Pizza Rolls
The cast-iron skillet browns these delicious rolls to perfection. My family can't get enough. Use whatever pizza toppings your family likes best. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas
Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli
When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Zesty Chicken Marinara
A friend served this delicious slow cooker chicken pasta before a church social, and I fell in love with it. My husband says it tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant. —Linda Baumann, Richfield, Wisconsin
Rich Baked Spaghetti
It takes a little longer to make baked spaghetti, but the difference in taste, texture and richness is well worth the time. I serve this lasagna-style dish with a tossed green salad and breadsticks for a hearty, healthy meal. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Our approach to meatball sandwiches is a simple one: Cook the meatballs low and slow, load them into hoagie buns, and top with provolone and pepperoncini. —Stacie Nicholls, Spring Creek, Nevada
Chicken Cacciatore
This easy chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner, since it's so simple to prepare. This recipe is the best because it's loaded with lots of vegetables and is a family favorite. —Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia
Lasagna Casserole
Growing up, this was the meal I always wanted on my birthday. Mother made the sauce from scratch, but I use store-bought spaghetti sauce to save time. Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage if you want more spice. —Deb Morrison, Skiatook, Oklahoma
Pizza Monkey Bread
I cannot throw a party without making this recipe. It's fast and easy, and my kids love it. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, CaliforniaWhether you choose to go simple or elevated with your Italian dishes, we’re confident in recommending any of these sauces. Want to see them in action? Check out this amazing Florentine spaghetti bake in the making.
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source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-spaghetti-sauce/
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