Best pasta sauce in a jar?

[AllisonS]

I need to buy pasta sauce in a jar for dinner this evening. I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best jarred sauce. I've used Rao's on many different occasions, but I'm honestly not that crazy about it. IMHO, Newman's Own are the best jarred sauces that I've come accross. Barilla isn't bad either. I'd love to hear recommendations from fellow hounds!

Thanks!

[madgreek]

I agree about Newman's Own. Sockarooni especially is great. Spicy italian sausage is a nice addition by the way. I love this local favorite: http://www.mids.cc.

[nfinzer]

I've never tried Newman's Own. I like Bella Petrella's all-natural pasta sauce - http://www.bellapetrellas.com . It's delicious, healthy, and they don't add sugar, MSG, or preservatives, which is important to me (I hate feeding my kids that crap). The best part is that due to their quality ingredients and manufacturing process, they eliminate the acidity that causes acid reflux and heartburn so my father can eat tomato sauce again.

Their marinara sauces and salsa are really good too!

[Cookiefiend]

My favorite is Muir Glen's Organic Tomato Basil Sauce.

http://www.muirglen.com/

[shellyesq]

I like Vincent's. http://vincentssauces.com/shop/ Thick, but not chunky.

[MeffaBabe]

Classico 4 cheese or tomato basil

[anglematic]

We love Seeds of Change brand, in particular the Arrabiatta di Roma variety. They also have a Balsamic Vinegar and Onion that is quite good.

[jmat]

It's a bit pricey, but Citarella's jarred sauce is quite good.

[MMRuth]

I agree - I've tried it once or twice.

[dockhl]

I really like Mom's Spaghetti Sauce but can't find it in the stores anymore. You can buy it online but used to be able to get it at Costco. Chunks of garlic and leaves of basil. Yum.

[Azizeh Barjesteh]

Dockhl, I like Mom's too, and I find it at Bristol Farms. Do you have one near you?

I like the Arrabiata sauce a lot.

[dockhl]

I WISH I had a Bristol Farms ! :(

Maybe they carry it at New Frontiers in SLO, tho. I am so sorry that Costco stopped carrying it.

[Where is it]

Does anyone know where to get Mom's spaghetti sauce at a local store? Near Saint Charles Missouri?

[carolinadawg]

Barilla is good. Also, Trader Joe's marinara makes a nice base for sauce.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

If you can find it, Alessi is head and shoulders above all others. Practically as good as home made. Imported from Sicily:

http://www.vigo-alessi.com/products/i...

Ingredients: Sicilian Pear-Shaped Tomatoes, Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic, Alessi Sea Salt, Basil

That's it...real stuff.

If you can't find Alessi, look at the ingredients on the brands in store. First, avoid any sauce which lists tomato paste or puree as a main ingredient. Also check the oil...if it says canola or anything, there is propbably no olive oil in it. Spices, too, look for basil, specifically, and stay away from dried spices. Finally, if it is an ingredient you can't identify, or wouldn't have in your own kitchen, its probably junk. Just for kicks, pick up a jar of Ragu or Prego, and compare the ingredient list to the one above (I'd post the ingredients myself, but interestingly, neither brand website seems to include this info...make ya go hmmm...

It might be tough to find a good one, but if you can find one with a simple, normal ingredient list, that's the one I'd go with...

[Axalady]

My vote is for Newman's Own. Our favorite is Italian Sausage and Peppers, Sockarooni a close second.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

Personally, I haven't been impressed. The ingredients seem to bear out that position:

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE)-- Strike one,
DICED TOMATOES,
SUGAR--strike two...
SOYBEAN OIL,--strike three..
SALT,
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL,
SPICES, ONION*, GARLIC*. *DRIED--strike...four?

[Axalady]

Those ingredients obviously work for us. We had tried others and like the Newman's best. TEHO.

[nfinzer]

You would like my favorite, Bella Petrella's then! All natural, no sugar added, no preservatives AND no acid reflux or heartburn if you're prone to that or have digestive/intestinal problems like my dad (Chron's disease). Check 'em out at http://www.bellapetrellas.com

[madgreek]

I love the flavor of Alessi's white balsamic. I need to try their sauce.

[Striver]

The Cento San Marzano line: Marinara (a good base, too), Arrabiata, and Puttanesca are very good and contain nothing you wouldn't be happy with.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

Agree...my local grocery stopped carrying Alessi, and Cento in the tall, beverage-type bottle is what I've been buying instead. Not quite as delicious, but very good for a weekday sauce.

[Striver]

Cento has been our working day sauce for a while; now I've got to look for Alessi! :)

[DallasChowChick]

Cento is my personal favorite, as well.

[beachmouse]

Alessi is also lower in salt than a lot of other jar sauces. It's one of our default red sauces.

The other one is the strained Pomi (box 'o' tomatoes) doctored up with some spices added to it.

[susiev]

Last night, I was in the mood to find a top-of-the-line pasta sauce. I extremely picky, and will only have pasta from the more expensive restaurants in town. I've been accused of being a pasta snob. :)

While examining the various brands, I came across Alessi. I was intrigued. It was more expensive than those around it (I think it ended up being either $6.00 or $8.00), but it looked very fresh, and as the reviewer above said, it has simple, but excellent ingredients. I purchased the one with eggplant.

I went home and tried it. It was absolutely dee-lish-shish. I was so excited that I thought today I'd learn more about Alessi as a company. I found this site chowhound site and saw the link to Alessi, provided by ChefBoyAreMe.

It's a pretty good deal to order directly from Alessi. Shipping wasn't bad.

I noticed a few reviewers seemed to like Mom's. I haven't seen that before. Question of the day: Can Mom's compete with Alessi? Can anyone compete with Alessi.

I await the reviews!

Susie

[kubasd]

sorry to bump this, but I have a couple varieties of alessi sauce available at my local store, i believe, but which one do you recommend? because of the tomato crop this year, my sauce won't last me through the winter, so I figure, while the fresh tomatoes are still remembered i'll use a jarred sauce. Then in the depth of winter, I'll break out the homemade sauce and remember again why i love tomatoes.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

I've used the chunky marinara as my go-to sauce, and it's excellent. I've also used the smooth, in situations like home-made manicotti, where that seems more appropriate. But given the ingredients, I wouldn't think you could go wrong with any.

[GarlicFingersOI812]

I agree with your list of what to look for in a sauce, and would like to add a few the things I look for. If possible, look for SUGAR instead of HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. If it is made with TOMATOES, CRUSHED TOMATOES and/or DICED TOMATOES chances are it will be better than a sauce made with TOMATO PUREE (TOMATO PASTE and WATER).

Rozzano Marinara - a BJ'S Wholesale house brand, fits these criteria and tastes pretty good.
Dei Fratelli Marinara, an Ohio company does also, and is also very good, but has a little too much sugar for my taste (I.E. too sweet).

Both of those are reasonably priced, especially considering their more natural ingredient list.

[benbenberi]

Better yet, look for a sauce that doesn't have sugar either. (I've never considered extra sweetening really necessary in a tomato sauce - that's what the tomatoes are for.)

[GarlicFingersOI812]

Depending on the acidity of the tomatoes, some sugar is usually necessary to cut the tartness. When I make my own sauce from scratch, I taste it after cooking it with the caramelized onion (that adds some sweetness). Then I adjust with some sugar - IF necessary. Many recipes suggest adjusting for the tartness of fresh or canned tomatoes.

[mcel215]

I agree.

Years ago, canned tomatoes were not very good (ripe), thus the need for sugar, for some. But the canning process now has made leaps and bounds and most canned tomatoes are processed when ripe.

I love this time of year, because I can make sauce from garden tomatoes. :)

[enbell]

Amy's organic mushroom and garlic is oh-my-gosh-fantastic!

[im_nomad]

President's Choice used to do a sinfully rich rose sauce in a stubbier jar that most similar ones.....it was sooooo good, but i haven't seen it on the shelves in a long time, anyone know if this is still being made? It was definitly one of those that you didn't want to flip the jar over for the nutritional info :)

I used to use it in a "cheater" recipe when pressed for time .....and would add extra milk or cream, garlic, green onion and and some hot smoked salmon....it always went over really well with pasta. I've never found another brand that came close.

[Sarah]

Most are so tomatoey-sharp-tart -- ack -- is there a mellow one?

[burritobelle]

I like Barilla the best - although some of the varieties are a little bit saltier than I like.

I mostly use Trader Joe's sauces.

[dosielee]

i. i don't think anything can touch Vincent's. a second choice is relatively new. Naninna's. from the restaurant in Belleville nj. shop-rite carries it. try the arribiatta.

[BerkshireTsarina]

Another vote for Newman's Own-- they must be doing something right! We go for the Marinara, but I'm sure the others are up there. (And I'm really picky about pasta sauce.)

[enbell]

I've always wanted to try the sockaroonie based on the name alone :) Is it any good?

[jvish]

In a pinch the best I have found is Rao's Brand

[Furgs]

Barilla Spicy Red Pepper.

[stolenchange]

Classico Vodka sauce. I really could eat it like a soup.

[GenieinTX]

I like the Whole Foods store brand. No corn syrup.

[ballulah]

If you're in NYC, I've never had a better marinara sauce out of a jar than Fairway's. It honestly tastes just like the one I would make myself. I also like to use the Cento sauce in a bottle as a base for a lot of other sauces as well.

The Newman's own is far too sweet for me.

[ericalloyd]

i like both rao's marinara and puttanesca and barilla's green & black olive

[melly]

According to Cooks Illustrated taste testers, Francesco Rinaldi is one of the better ones...and isn't expensive. I buy it when I am too lazy to make it.

[gloriousfood]

It's actually pretty good. That, plus Prego's meat sauce are my go-to sauces when I don't feel like making my own.

[kubasd]

really? cuz that is pretty much the cheapest sauce at my store.... usually on sale 10/$10. If it's decent i'll give it a try

[Deathalicious]

Just bought a jar of it the other day and it was unacceptably sweet. As in, too sweet even for my wife, who normally likes the sweeter sauces (Prego, etc). Might have just been a bad jar but find out if the recipe has been changed recently.

[FoodieKat]

I usually make my own, but when I can't be bothered to, I like Trader Joe's marinara sauce. It's tasty, and doesn't need much of anything added to it.

[roxlet]

It is so easy to make marinara sauce, that I am constantly surprised that anyone would actually buy jarred sauce -- no matter how good the ingredients. I don't mean to be a snob, but chop up some garlic, saute briefly in olive oil and add some high quality canned tomatoes and salt and you're done. This takes very little time and can be done while your pasta cooks. There are a zillion things you can add to it (basil, hot pepper flakes, meatballs, chicken, etc., etc.) and you are in control of how it tastes and what goes in it.

[FoodieKat]

Yes, as I mentioned, I usually do make my own sauce, but I don't like cooking when I'm on my own (don't like the cleanup involved, lazy I know), so TJ's sauce is handy. I thought that the point of the thread was to discuss what brand/kind of jarred pasta sauce chowhounders like, not the merits of home cooking. It goes without saying that homemade sauce will always taste better.

[roxlet]

Well, I'm curious then. Don't you have to heat the sauce in a pot before you use it? One pot either way. Oh yeah, and a knife to chop garlic. Maybe jarred sauce is the point of the thread, as you say, but saying that there isn't ANY jarred sauce that I like seems to be as valid a response from a Chowhounder. So what I'm saying, (as a Chowhounder, I might add) is that there is no brand/kind of jarred pasta sauce that I like since making my own is so easy. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

[FoodieKat]

Well, that's fine, of course, we all have the right to our opinions. That's the whole point of having Chowhound boards. I was simply trying to state the obvious here. Wasn't being snarky or trying to start a debate one way or the other.

[Pamela_T]

I totally agree. It's almost as easy to make it as it is to open the jar and heat it up. My most basic sauce has only three ingredients - High quality canned tomatoes cooked with half a pealed onion (kept whole and removed at the end) and a couple tablespoons of butter stirred in at the very end. I got the recipe from somewhere and it s foolproof. Any additions (garlic, herbs, meat) just make it better. Even the very best canned sauce isn't anywhere close to as good imho.

[Karl S]

That's a slimmed down and tarted up (garlic, herbs, meat) version of Marcella Hazan's justly famous Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion (it's a whole onion, and 5 T of butter in her recipe). I won't tell her about the tarting up; it's our secret. Just don't tell anyone it's her sauce, or her furies will descend on you for tampering with it. (Half Seriously.)

[dockhl]

Had anyone tried the Trader Joe's boxed tomato sauce? I think it has garlic and basil in it (maybe?) Looked like something nice to have on hand for a fresh-type sauce.

[nancyhudson]

The TJ's boxed is a staple in my pantry - love it. As far as other jarred sauces - I do like Barilla, but I usually add some of the TJ's boxed sauce, and some fresh veggies. I didn't know Seeds of Change makes a sauce, where do you find it? I'm on the west coast.

[coney with everything]

Starter sauce? Always have a box of it on hand.

[dockhl]

OK, looks like I need to get a few.

[jdpehl]

Hands down the best pasta sauce in a jar is Mom's Tomato and Basil. There are whole basil leaves and whole cloves of garlic in the sauce and it absolutely tastes like homemade!

[dockhl]

I agree. Where do you find it?

[jdpehl]

Found it at the grocery store next to Rao's and Patsy's but you can also order it online at, of all places, www.jelly.com.

[Azizeh Barjesteh]

I love Mom's Arrabiata sauce, so I'll need to try the tomato and basil. My boyfriend is a big wimp in regards to spice, so he'd probably like the other.

Here in LA, I get Mom's at Bristol Farms.

[Axalady]

We've found another favorite spaghetti sauce, although it's not easy to compare this brand to the Newman's we like, they're VERY different. It's McCutcheon's garden style spaghetti sauce. Very thick with tomatoes and veggies. (For Chefboyareme here are the ingredients: tomatoes, onions, celery, carrots, pure vegetable oil, salt and spices.) It's all natural, no preservatives and has no sugar added. I find it tart, so I add a bit of sugar myself. The label reads "original recipe of Rafat Izadi Nido's Ristorante Italiano". It's excellent. www.mccutcheons.com

[toodie jane]

try adding just a small amount of molasses instead of sugar. Nice flavor.

[field288]

McCutcheon's is the best! I could eat that stuff with anything.

[pan cakes]

Newman's Own is too sweet for my family. We buy the Citarella's jarred sauce!! :)

[Karl S]

Two easy steps to eliminate non-contenders:

1. No corn syrup and if there is sugar it better be towards the end of the ingredients and no more than 1g per serving....

2. Ingredient list should begin with tomatoes, NOT tomato puree.

[schrutefarms]

Rao's and Trader Joe's vodka sauce.

[christie21]

Victoria marinara sauce tastes just like my grandmothers - love but can't find it anymore. It was available in NY when I lived there but now I am in PA. Used to buy it at Costco but don;t belong here. Has anyone seen it? i also love Rao's but not the price.

[Alfred G]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Bertolli. They make a wonderfully authentic and delicious sauce.

[CDouglas]

I just bought some from a Giant Foods in MD. Amazon carries all of the varieties as well:

http://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Marina...

[christie21]

Thanks. I actually just found their website and can buy it directly as well.

[Alfred G]

For those of you in Florida, Publix carries a complete line of Bertolli sauces.

[Alfred G]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Bertolli. They make a very authentic and delicious sauce.

[MEH]

I usually use either Rao's or Barilla. I've never tried Newman's but from what many people here have said, it sounds like I should!

Thanks!

[The Chowfather]

Grew up with homemade sauce so I've always had issues with jar sauce. Recently started buying Rao's marinara and it is fantastic. Plan on trying Victoria's next. Any specific recs?

[The Chowfather]

The Rao's vodka sauce could be better than the marinara. Impressive stuff

[powillie]

For a quick meal, use the sauce that you prefer and pour it into a saucepan. Pour a small glass of dry, red wine, like a chianti, and pour it into the empty jar. Then pour another glass of wine for yourself. Swirl the jar with the wine to loosen the residue in the jar and add it to the saucepan. Stir it up and let it gently simmer while you cook the pasta, fry some sausages and make a salad. Serve with parmesan and fresh Italian bread. If the bread is not as fresh as you want, make garlic toast.

[pikiliz]

Alessi is so fresh and ready to go , I feel it is hard to beat. Down here in south Florida I only pay about 4 dollars for a jar. The label even says not to cook it just warm it. I can attest to that i got side tracked with my kids and let it boil!!!! really different unpleasant at best

[bushy]

To find the best, you have to try all of the sauces! You all missed so many great sauces.
Just last night I had for the first time - De Cecco Napoletana jarred sauce. All Italian tomatoes & virgin olive oil, olives, veges, fresh herbs too. It was great! $2.00 at the Grocery Outlet in No. Calif. I have seen it in better grocery stores. I usually buy Mezzettas' Napa Valley Bistro Sauces. They around $5.00 and offer great styles. I usually buy mine online and get some Artichoke hearts too, great buy. I have seen these all over Calif. and Florida too. From Marinara to Puttanesca they cost $21 a six pak on line. http://www.mezzetta.com/
If you ever get a chance to do a blind taste test on pasta sauces, don't pass it up. You will amaze yourself. With no lables to influnce you, it's all about the taste!

[toodie jane]

bushy, have you done a blind test? sounds like fun.

I admit to buying whatever looks good where I happen to be shopping at the time: Tj's or Grocery Outlet . Just got some Putanesca at Trader Joe's on a friend's reccomendation.

You got the luck of the draw with the Grass Valley GO as they are not all the same. I'll look for some DeCecco next trip, maybe I'll get lucky. Found anything else there lately (new thread for Calif board, hint)?

[Cousin Anna]

I so agree that you have to try all kinds of sauces, I like Mezzettas' , Barilla's . Williams Sonoma are pricey but so delish, I have enjoyed ALL of them, and end up having a favorite for awhile and then switch.

[charlieboy]

I've been buying Victoria brand White Linen Collection Marinara Sauce. Ingredients: Imported Italian tomatoes, pure olive oil, fresh white onions, fresh copped garlic, sea salt & spices. It's really good.

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

Coming in late to this thread because I didn't want to start a new one. I just tried Mezzetta's Arabbiatta sauce and thought it was absolutely delicious and I especially liked how it "coated" the pasta. . I usually make my own sauces, but I was feeling lazy on Saturday. i'll definitely try some of their other offerings.

[Suzanne]

My top 3 favorites are Il Mulino Pomodoro sauce, Scarpetta Arugula and Tomato sauce, and Dress Italian Sweet Cherry Tomato sauce. The first is a restaurant brand and it really is the closest I've had to real restaurant sauce in a jar. It's thin, but loaded with flavor and tastes slow cooked. The other two are thicker sauces and again are so packed with flavor that they are addictive and nothing else compares. The Dress Italian in particular looks like a jar of crushed cherry tomatoes, it's so loaded with them.

[capicksnw]

It's not canned, but if you are fortunate enough to have a Trader Joe's near you, pick up a can of their Tuscan Marinara. It is a superior, all-purpose pasta sauce that is easily doctored to your own taste. It's also way cheaper than your standard grocery store jarred stuff.

[capicksnw]

A p.s. - does anyone know if Barilla still makes their olive pasta sauce? I remember it being really good, with a tone of both black and green olives in it.

[hummingbird]

According to their website it still is.

[shaebones]

TJ's Puttanesca sauce. It's new.... and really good.

[dmd_kc]

Ain't nothing wrong with the Ragu Light Tomato/Basil sauce, which has no added sugar, when healthful considerations are important. No, it isn't homemade, but it's a perfectly serviceable alternative on a busy weeknight.

[davecrf]

I like prego.

[Antigone]

Cento and Vincents Medium are my absolute favourites in a jar, but I've found myself happily eating Prego sauce over tortellini on a weekday evening when money is tight.

[pasuga]

Recently I've been buying the Culinary Circle sauces. Especially like their Arrabiata, nice and spicy.

For anyone who lives in the Boston area I'd recco picking up a couple of containers of the fresh-made sauce at Monica's Salumeria in the North End. I used to ship it out to friends and they all agreed it was the best bottled sauce they'd ever had - unfortunately a few years ago they stopped bottling.

[emilierosebutala]

I had a wonderful jarred sauce in Rome last year and can't even seem to find it on amazon.com, are there anyother websites that sell imported sauces like the one I had in Italy? I can't remember the name, but I would know if I saw the bottle. It's shaped like a tall larger ketchup bottle.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

This is the only one I know of in a jar like you describe. It's pretty good, but I still but it a notch below Alessi:

http://ruggierosmarket.com/store/inde...

[MStropanich]

I would recommend 'Marinelli Real Italian All Natural Pasta Sauce.' It tastes better than homemade and doesn't have any additives or preservatives...not even sugar! It's the best sauce jarred sauce i've ever had.

[nooyawka]

Prego infinitely superior to Ragu, and even better than Barilla, though I use Barilla pasta.

[MsDiPesto]

A good friend showed me a trick when I lived in upstate NY; buy a jar of Progresso Marinara sauce, but first saute some chopped onion and garlic in a saucepan in olive oil. When they are ready, then pour in the jar of Progresso and let it simmer for awhile. Delish.

[peachmarie]

This is my problem . . . I've tried many of the sauces everyone has mentioned, but none are anywhere close to the kind I like. I grew up with (and make) a think, long-simmered, dark sauce that is very rich and has meatballs and sausage cooked in the sauce. All jarred sauces to me are too "raw" or sweet, or tart. My dad was of Neopolitan heritage, so I don't know if that's more of a southern italian or strictly neopolitan thing. I know there are Neopolitan sauces out there, but haven't seen one in the store. Not even sure if it's what I'm looking for. I love to make my own sauce, but it's a Sunday afternoon kind of thing; takes much of the afternoon between making the meatballs and sauteeing the sausage, and making the sauce (which then has to cook for 3 hours). I have kids and once in a while just want to come home from work and throw some pasta in a pot for them and pour some sauce on top. I even tried a Rachel Ray suggestion which is to add some beef broth to jarred sauce and let it simmer a bit to give it that rich, meat-cooked-in-it flavor, but that was still eh. Any ideas?????

[Karl S]

That's a classic Italian-American gravy. There are no good jarred versions of it that are worth having. You make it and freeze it, that's how you make it for ahead. Unless you have an Italian market near you that makes up batches and sells it frozen or in the refrigerator case.

[traccan555]

I agree about Victoria's Marinara sauce (white linen collection). Still available at my local Costco, just picked up a pckg about a month ago. Recently while visiting Boston I purchased a brand called Pellicano's (traditional red sauce), made in Buffalo. Very good. Don't know if it's widely available, but if you can find it, it's worth buying. Very rich and sweet.... if you don't like your sauce sweet, this isn't for you.

[goofyfoodie]

Traccan555 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MENTIONING VICTORIA's Sauces. I was desperately trying to find it as I remembered the flavor I bought but I moved out of my williamsburg neighborhood and the local places dont sell it but I just couldn't remember the name and I searched for the flavor and then I thought "I can't be the only person who thinks the sauce is amazing" so I searched for best jarred sauces and this thread popped up. I had to be patient and go through the whole thing but it paid off.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

[goofyfoodie]

Actually I was searching for a sauce that I tried a few times and fell in love with and forgot the name of the brand as it is not in every store a la Ragu, Newman's Own and in nyc at least, Rao's. but one of the other posters in this thread mentioned Victoria's and I found my needle in a haystack! I think since Victoria is such a common name that is why I couldn't remember it :-) The brand is fantastic and you have to and I MEAN HAVE TO try the roasted garlic. So garlicky but salty and tomatoey (is that even a word) and is a total substitute for a bruschetta. Toast up some brioche and have at it. Makes a perfect party dip for breads and olives/ cheeses.

Good on pasta also ;-)

[FitMom4Life]

I just scored 3 jars of Rao's...at a Food Lion that was converting back from a Bloom store. They had put all their "primo" stuff on clearance, so I got the Rao's for $4 a jar. I would never spend the money to try it before, as it was so expensive! Hope I like it!

[ospreycove]

For those of you who live in North Jersey, in Englewood JERRY"s GOURMET their sauce (private label) is the most balanced base sauce I have tasted in a long time, We use about a 1 to 1 dilution with San Marzano whole Peeled tomatoes, it is very good!!

[goodhealthgourmet]

ooh, my mother shops at Jerry's, she hates to cook, and dad loves pasta with tomato sauce so she's always looking for a good one. i'll pass along the info. thanks!

[TheClambelly]

By the way...I'm glad you mentioned San Marzano tomatoes. Perhaps you all know this, but just in case you don't here's the skinny on SM tomatoes. They MUST have the EU stamp on the can that gives them the DOP, and now they have to have the Corsorzio stamp as well. SOooooo many supermarkets are now marketing supposed San Marzano tomatoes, but they're NOT from Italy. In fact, SM tomatoes only come from the Catania region in Italy because they're grown in that volcanic soil and are unlike any other tomato on the planet. Not to say there aren't other great tomatoes, but they won't taste exactly like SM's. A friend of my wife's gave me a few tomatoes grown by her father here, and are grown from true Catania seeds. They were absolutely wonderful--but they weren't SM's in truth because they were grown here on Long Island and not in Catania. Don't pay the freight for those SM's at the supermarket unless you see the DOP stamp and the Corsorzio stamp. If you get your SMs at an Italian grocery you'll probably have the real deal, but I've seen both even at a good Italian store. Just sayin'. They're not cheap, so be careful.

[Babyducks]

I make my own sauce from scratch, but tried this on a friend's recommendation last night. Trader Joe's Bolognese and it was excellent.

[GEC]

I haven't tried all that many jarred pasta sauces, but I really like Mario Batali's marinara sauce.

[tokimoki]

I tried a ton of different sauces and I really love Rao's the best. They will break your wallet though. Don Bruno Vodka sauce by Roland is also very good. They cost about 4.50 at my local supermarket.

[whatugot]

I am on both sides of the family- Italiano. My mom makes the best sauce (she makes hers with pork and meat balls that you just cant compare- (also try Paesano Olive Oil) BUT, I would say, add the meat in to these jar sauces and they will be just as good (gulp! dont tell my mom)...
no reason to sweat the home made sauce- Ive had many get togethers at my friends and families home and EVEN homemade sauce cant compare with my two top picks... They are:
Mom's Brand Pasta Sauce is head and heels the best authentic sauce available bar none. If you can find it- buy it. Its worth the $$$ and the efforts to find.
My second choice is Daves Gorumet Red Heirloom Organic Pasta Sauce. This sauce is equally delightful, but without large pieces of basil visable.
Both tatse sooooo authentic and its apparent they use no additives- BOTH TASTE AMAZING!
I used to buy Victoria's, Trader Joes, Rao's Classico, Newman's Own, Natures Promise (Stop & Shop brand) and well....
if you have to pick from one of these, IMO Natures Promise is the closest to Moms and Daves, but people that tryed Newmans Own and vote it their favorite are simply in the dark.

GO AND GET SOME of Moms or Daves Red Heirloom... you wont regret it..... ;-)

[juniper1970]

I like to keep a jar of Paul Sorvino on hand for when I need a quick dinner when it's just my 4 yr old daughter and I. The marinara sauce is light, clean flavor - it actually converted her back from only butter on spaghette to liking sauce again. Unfortunately they no longer carry it at the store and was looking for something that would taste homemade when I can't make it myself. Thank you for the thread so I can find a back up.

[DMW]

Well, was at the store last night after browsing this post and making mental note of some of the recommended brands. I love Raos and usually stick with the straight up marinara. However, I noted many mentions of Alessi and went ahead and picked up their Norma sauce (has eggplant). I served this over a very good buffalo mozz ravioli. Both were amazing, but since this thread is about sauce, let me say it was luscious and good enough to eat straight. This is on my buy again list and I will try their other variations as well. Thanks chowhounders!

[crowmuncher]

Don't care for any of them. I open up a can of diced tomatoes and/or tomato sauce and doctor it up with whatever I have available I'm craving. I also try to cook it for a good while so it can reduce. The next day it tastes even better.

[Rodzilla]

Classico for alfredo - any variety will do.

for red -
Raos - sausage and mushroom
Patsy's - Marinara
Batali - marinara
Classico - four cheese

[jujuthomas]

We were using the Prego meat sauce until they changed the recipe recently, and we decided to look for a brand without so much sugar. After several disappointing jars (and less-than-successful attempts at making our own) we grabbed a jar of Alessio's on a whim. It's locally made and bottled (Lancaster, PA), has no artificial ingredients, little sugar and is delicious! I make up a batch of meatballs to simmer in it... heaven!
www.alessios.com

[letsindulge]

I was at my local Safeway and picked up a jar of their Select Artichoke Pesto on sale for 2 for 4.00. Tasted surprisingly good to me with deep-fried cheese ravioli. It was a tomato-based sauce BTW.

[chocolate]

Recently tried Mario Batali's tomato basil and loved it !

[joelaine]

I usually make my own sauce but have decided that Rao's is the only bottle sauce better than my own. I try to buy it on sale as it is so expensive. I think Mario Batali puts too much thyme in his and do not like Paul Newman's at all.

[chessie812]

Don Pepino Pizza Sauce in a can very good base to start. Used to be the cheapest on the shelf, not anymore and you can find it just about anywhere now. It is delicious. It has been a staple in my pantry for over 10 years. They make a spaghetti sauce too but I just use the pizza sauce and go from there. No sugar, no MSG, no salt, no nothing. It is a bit acidy though. My whole family loves it and anyone I've ever recommended it to loves it as well.

[junescook]

I agree that Don Pepino is the best pizza sauce, chunky and simple. And while I rarely use jarred sauce (DW makes big batches of sauce from the garden at the end of the summer and cans it), I have tried the Batali's and liked it quite a bit.

[TheClambelly]

I think this has to be an exercise in pointlessness. It's like asking about the best instant chocolate pudding---there ISN'T one. Besides, there's just nothing difficult about making a decent pasta sauce, to say nothing of the exorbitant cost as compared to the volume of sauce you can make for the same money if you do it from scratch.

[JF7FSU]

Some of the answers in this thread repulse me such as Ragu Light? uughhgh. The only jarred sauce I ever tasted that is worth mentioning I purchased at a real Italian supermarket named Laurenzo's in North Miami Beach called "Sclafani" The marinara and Fra Diavlo are to die for. I looked it up and they have a website:

http://www.sclafanifoods.com/

[FitMom4Life]

Why do some people think that everyone else must have exactly the same taste preferences that they do?

If you don't have a favorite jarred sauce, then don't respond. Pretty easy.

[jmckee]

Then don't answer. There is indeed nothing too difficult about a homemade sauce. But sometimes you don't have time. The question was about jarred sauces, which there is nothing inherently heinous about using. Suggest one or don't answer.

[sisterfunkhaus]

Well aren't you a superior and elevated foodie who is better than the rest of us? You must be so proud.

[TheClambelly]

How about just DON'T.

[CoffeeNCookies]

Victoria. It is the only one that I've found that doesn't taste sweet, fake or starchy. The ingredients are all things like tomatoes, garlic and spices that would be found in a tomato sauce you'd make on your own. It is awesome to make your own sauce, but when you are trying to get a weekday dinner on the table, a reliable jarred sauce is good to have on hand. I swear by Victoria.

[howaboutthat]

Bingo (on Victoria)!

[FitMom4Life]

I've seen Victoria in the store, and wondered about it. Maybe now I'll try a jar.

[NCVeggie]

Agreed- VICTORIA! Tastes better than some of the Italian restaurants where I live. Fra Diavolo is my favorite (spicy!) butI haven't had a flavor I didn't like

[souvenir]

Not a jar, currently only in a big can. This is my favorite, Exclusivo Wild Porcini Sauce

http://www.sciabica.com/products/%231...

[jokeiii]

Home made is best, natch. Now, having said that there are some jarred sauces I enjoy.

Victoria Marinara - It has that classic Italian-American flavor down pretty well.
Citarella Lobster Fra Diavolo
Pomi Marinara - Much fresher, more Italian, less Italian-American when you want that sort of thing...the aseptic carton keeps it fresher than a jar.
Coppola Amatriciana
Mid's Meat Sauce - I use to make a fast lasagna al forno.

Not crazy about Sockarooni. Alessi is nice, too.

[DonShirer]

I recently looked at one of those ubiquitous web pop-up lists purporting to taste-test the "best tomato sauces". I don't remember the entire list, but three top ones were
Barilla Traditional Marinara
Prego Traditional Marinara
Amy's Family Marinara Pasta Sauce

I have not tried any of these three yet, but I did buy some Newman's Sockarooni a few months ago and liked it.

[sisterfunkhaus]

Barilla Roasted Garlic is fabulous. Simple ingredients too.