Let's Get Sauced

A review of six marinara sauces

readily available to you in the grocery store.

Marinara Sauce (24 oz)

Yields 5 servings (1/2 cup each)

COLD TASTE TEST (COLOR & TEXTURE)

HOT TASTE TEST

"STICK TO PASTA" TEST

Good & Gather (Target Label)

$1.99

First three ingredients:

tomato puree, diced tomatoes in juice, canola oil

NO ADDED SUGAR

5 g sugar per serving

Ragu

$2.39

First three ingredients:

tomato puree, salt, olive oil

1 g added sugar

7 g sugar per serving

Bertolli

$2.49

First three ingredients:

tomato puree, diced tomatoes in juice, onion

2 g added sugar

7 g sugar per serving

Prego

$2.59

First three ingredients:

tomato puree, diced tomatoes in juice, sugar

4 g added sugar

9 g sugar per serving

Raos

$7.39

First three ingredients:

Italian whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, onions

NO ADDED SUGAR

4 g sugar per serving

Carbone

$8.29

First three ingredients:

imported Italian tomatoes, onions, olive oil

NO ADDED SUGAR

5 g sugar per serving

COLD TASTE TEST (COLOR & TEXTURE)

I did a cold taste and texture test to see how the taste could vary between each sauce when the temperature changed. I was surprised to see the taste did change enough to change my order of preference compared to the hot taste test.

Here are my thoughts on flavor and texture of the marinara before heating.

1. RAO's -$7.39 - RAO's was the clear flavor favorite for me in this category. The freshness you get from the first taste confirms the first three ingredients are tomatoes, olive oil and onion. The texture was a tie for the best with my number two, Carbone. They both showcase a slightly smooth texture, while having the perfect amount of tomato chunk to show you they use the real thing.

2. Carbone - $8.29 - Coming in second place for cold taste, this one was great, but just not as fresh tasting as RAO's. It was a tie for best texture with RAO’s.

3. Good & Gather - $1.99 - Awesome texture and tomato flavor.

4. Ragu - $2.39 - Weirdly watered down texture.

5. Bertolli - $2.49 - Very chunky texture. Good marinara flavor, but a texture more like a jar of salsa.

6. Prego - $2.59 - Extremely sugary taste. Very apparent this one is the highest in sugar content of all six sampled. It’s texture was watery and similar to Ragu.

HOT TASTE TEST/STICK TO PASTA TEST

I was surprised to see the taste did change enough to change my order of preference compared to the cold taste test. The biggest difference I tasted was the herb flavor in some of the sauces was much more forward when hot.

Here are my thoughts on the flavor of each marinara when served hot with pasta (and the stick to pasta test)

1.RAO's -$7.39 - Unmatched in this group when served hot and the stick to pasta test was also a big win for RAO's.

RAO's $7.39

2. Good & Gather - $1.99 - The Good & Gather jumped up to number two in the hot taste test because of the balance of tomato and herb flavors that I enjoyed. It stuck really well to the pasta, too!

Good & Gather $1.99

3. Carbone - $8.29 - I was a little puzzled on this after it was heated. It lost the freshness and became blah. The stick to the pasta test was great and the herb flavor was there, but just not enough fresh tomato flavor to keep the number two spot.

Carbone $8.29

4. Bertolli - $2.49 - The Bertolli sauce redeemed itself in the hot test. It was herby and fresh without being over powering or sweet. If you enjoy more textured (chunks) you'll enjoy this one.

Bertolli $2.49

5. Ragu - $2.39 - Very little tomato flavor while being too smooth and watered down.

Ragu $2.39

6. Prego - $2.59 - Sugary, way too herby and no textutre.

Prego $2.59

My clear favorite is Rao’s ($7.39), winning the cold, texture, hot and stick to pasta test.

Best Overall -- RAO's $7.39

If you’re looking for the best value of the six sauces, it's the Good & Gather from Target ($1.99). It is surprisingly full of tomato flavor, has a great texture and a great price point!

Best Value - Good & Gather by Target $1.99