9 Jarred Pasta Sauces Ranked From Worst to Best
A good jar of marinara should make dinner easier. You should be able to heat it, toss it with pasta, and get a satisfying meal without reaching for half the spice cabinet.
This research-informed ranking looks at nine popular marinara sauces using current product information and published taste-test observations. We prioritized tomato flavor, texture, seasoning balance, and how well each sauce works for an ordinary pasta night.
We didn’t do a separate tasting, so personal preferences for sweetness, basil, garlic, and chunkiness may change your order.
Which jars deserve a spot in your pantry? Here’s the ranking.
Prego Marinara Italian Sauce
Prego is one of the most familiar names in the pasta aisle, but its Marinara Italian Sauce lands last here.
The current formula includes tomato purée, diced tomatoes, canola oil, dried onion, dried garlic, spices, citric acid, and basil.
Published taste tests have not been especially kind. Allrecipes found the Prego marinara it sampled watery and salty, while Bon Appétit described its tested version as sweeter than preferred.
Because the exact formulas reviewed may not match the current product, don’t treat those comments as universal. Still, compared with the stronger sauces on this list, Prego has less consistent support.
Related: 6 Essential Canned Foods Every Chef Swears By for Effortless Cooking
RAGÚ Old World Style Marinara Sauce
RAGÚ Old World Style Marinara keeps things simple with tomato purée, tomatoes, olive oil, onion, spices, and sugar.
Its mildness may appeal to shoppers who like to customize their sauce, but it also holds the jar back in this ranking.
Bon Appétit found its sample lacking in herbal complexity, while Allrecipes’ panel described its RAGÚ sauce as smooth and sweeter than preferred.
If you plan to add meat, vegetables, garlic, or extra herbs, RAGÚ can serve as a dependable base. But if you want a sauce that brings plenty of character on its own, there are better choices.
Barilla Premium Marinara Pasta Sauce
Barilla Premium Marinara brings garlic, onion, basil, and a noticeable tomato texture. Published tasting opinions, however, were divided.
Allrecipes liked its tomato flavor but thought the sauce was a little thin. Bon Appétit found the dried basil too prominent.
That disagreement keeps Barilla in the lower half. It has the familiar flavor profile most shoppers expect from marinara, but the balance between herbs, tomatoes, and texture may not work equally well for everyone.
It is a respectable everyday choice, just not one of the strongest performers here.
Carbone Marinara Sauce
Carbone Marinara has an appealing ingredient list built around Italian tomatoes, onions, olive oil, sea salt, basil, garlic, and oregano. The main drawback comes from published tasting observations rather than the ingredient list itself.
Bon Appétit reported visible oil separation in the sample it tested, which made the sauce feel less cohesive than some competitors.
That does not mean every jar will separate, but it is enough to keep Carbone out of the top five.
For shoppers who want a straightforward tomato-and-herb profile, it remains a strong candidate, though expectations may be higher given its premium positioning.
Newman’s Own Marinara Sauce
Newman’s Own lands in the middle because published tasting panels found both strengths and weaknesses.
The sauce features tomatoes, onion, garlic, Italian-style herbs, and extra-virgin olive oil. Some retailer ingredient listings also include carrot purée.
Allrecipes praised its tomato chunks, balance, and restrained basil. Bon Appétit, on the other hand, found its sample thinner and sweeter than preferred.
For anyone who likes visible tomato pieces and a relatively gentle herb profile, Newman’s Own may deserve a higher spot. But the mixed tasting evidence makes fifth place a reasonable middle ground.
Bertolli Traditional Marinara With Italian Herbs & Fresh Garlic
Bertolli moves into the top four largely because of its pasta-friendly texture. Its ingredient list includes diced tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, olive oil, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, and other seasonings.
Both major tasting panels noticed the tomato pieces. Bon Appétit praised the acidity, garlic, and texture, while Allrecipes liked the appearance but found the sweeter basil profile less appealing over multiple bites.
That combination makes Bertolli a solid choice for weeknight spaghetti, especially if you prefer a sauce with some visible texture rather than a completely smooth consistency.
Good & Gather Marinara Pasta Sauce
Target’s Good & Gather Marinara earns an impressive third place. The sauce combines tomato purée, diced tomatoes, canola oil, onion, garlic, spices, and parsley.
Bon Appétit described the sample it tested as bright, balanced, and velvety, which fits well with what many people want from an easy everyday pasta sauce.
Good & Gather gets less independent tasting coverage than some of the bigger brands, so its placement is more editorial than definitive.
Still, the favorable balance and texture make it one of the strongest practical options in this lineup.
Mezzetta Family Recipes Marinara Sauce
Mezzetta nearly takes the top spot. Its ingredient list includes plum tomatoes, olive oil, fresh onion, garlic, basil, black pepper, and spices.
Published tasting coverage repeatedly points to good tomato flavor and satisfying body. Allrecipes praised its texture and tomato character, while Bon Appétit highlighted the noticeable fresh-tasting basil.
That basil presence may be stronger than some people want, but shoppers who enjoy an herb-forward sauce may love it.
Mezzetta also feels versatile enough for pasta, dipping, and baked dishes, making it one of the strongest all-around choices.
Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce
Rao’s takes first place because it combines strong tomato flavor, useful texture, and consistently favorable published tasting feedback. Its ingredient list is simple: Italian whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, onions, salt, garlic, basil, black pepper, and oregano.
Allrecipes praised its flavor and ability to coat pasta, while other published tasting coverage has also highlighted its tomato-forward character and texture.
Bon Appétit found the seasoning somewhat assertive for certain pasta applications, so shoppers who prefer very mild sauce may disagree with the top ranking.
Still, for a marinara that needs very little doctoring before dinner, Rao’s makes the strongest overall case.
Which Jar Is Best for You?
No marinara ranking can account for every preference. Some people want chunky tomatoes. Others prefer a smooth sauce. Some love prominent basil and garlic, while others want subtle seasoning.
For a tomato-forward sauce that needs little extra work, Rao’s and Mezzetta stand out. Good & Gather is a strong everyday option, while Bertolli offers appealing texture. Shoppers who prefer a milder base they can customize may actually favor RAGÚ or Prego.
The best jar is ultimately the one that makes pasta night easier and still tastes good enough to serve again.
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