12 Healthiest Pasta Sauce Brands According to a Nutritionist in 2025

Jarred pasta sauce is a weeknight hero for convenience, but with how often it ends up on the table, choosing the healthiest pasta sauce is important. Whether you’re grabbing a classic tomato base, a garlicky blend or a creamy alfredo, it’s worth paying attention to what goes inside the jar. Many store-bought pasta sauces contain added sugar, higher sodium and sometimes refined oils that you don’t want to consume regularly.

So how do you know which jars to grab and which ones should stay on the shelf? The good news is that we’ve compiled 12 of the most nutritious pasta sauces to help guide your next grocery run. That way, future dinners become a more nutrient-dense affair without sacrificing convenience.

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• How We Choose The Healthiest Pasta Sauce
• 12 Healthiest Store-Bought Pasta Sauces
• Is Pasta Sauce Healthy?
• Learn to Cook the Healthiest Pasta Sauce

How We Choose The Healthiest Pasta Sauce

At Cozymeal, we’re able to choose the healthiest pasta sauce thanks to years of culinary expertise, gained through exploring ingredients and delving into nutrition research. That expertise shapes every recommendation we put out, including this tantalizing roundup of the healthiest jarred pasta sauces. Additionally, we look beyond the label to help you find sauces that are not nutritious but also taste incredible.

Our team weighs ingredients, expert guidance and real shopping habits to make sure every pick is worth your time. Since flavor matters as much as nutrition, you can trust that these healthiest pasta sauce picks are loved in real kitchens, not just on paper.

Most of the sauces on this list are tomato-based because they’re typically simpler and plant-based. We included a couple of white sauces for variety.

Here’s how we decide what qualifies as the healthiest pasta sauce per serving:

• Favors simple ingredient lists with no added sugar
• Lower sodium pasta sauces are chosen
• Recommends brands that are widely available and well reviewed

12 Healthiest Store-Bought Pasta Sauces

1. Yo Mama's Original Marinara

Rich in its simplicity, Yo Mama’s Original Marinara earns its place among the healthiest pasta sauces for staying true to classic ingredients. While marinara vs pasta sauce are often used interchangeably, this sauce is undeniably marinara. It’s low in sodium and made with no added sugar, letting the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes shine. Its simple ingredients make it one of the healthiest pasta sauces, staying true to the original nonna’s recipe, so you still get that familiar homemade taste.

Whether you’re drizzling it over zucchini noodles or scooping it up as a dip, its purity is both satisfying and nutritious. No surprise it ranks as one of the healthiest pasta sauces you can keep on hand.

Yo Mama's Original Marinara Nutritional Info (per 118-gram serving size)

• Calories: 60
• Total Fat: 4.5 grams (7% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 130 milligrams (6% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 5 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 1 gram (4% DV)
• Total Sugar: 2 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 1 gram

2. Organico Bello Tomato Basil

Organico Bello Tomato Basil ranks among the healthiest pasta sauces for bringing simple, organic goodness straight to your table. Its short ingredient list is impossibly simple, certified USDA organic and free from preservatives, added sugar, paste or even water. You can taste the freshness and vibrancy of the sauce thanks to tomatoes imported directly from Italy, delivering both quality and flavor.

If you want authentic Italian flavor fast, this belongs among the healthiest pasta sauces to keep on hand. It has under 300 milligrams of sodium per serving and a short, vegetable-focused ingredient list.

Organico Bello Tomato Basil Nutritional Info (per 113-gram serving size)

• Calories: 45
• Total Fat: 1.5 grams (1% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 220 milligrams (9% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
• Total Sugar: 4 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 2 grams

3. Ragú Simply Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

Sticking to tradition in more ways than one, Ragú Simply Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce delivers that distinct homestyle Italian flavor in a jar. It also stands out as one of the healthiest pasta sauce picks you can count on when the craving strikes. It is made with a short ingredient list including basil, olive oil, salt and garlic.

The sodium is 350 milligrams per 125-gram serving, which is higher than some picks on this roundup of the healthiest pasta sauce options, but it stays free of added sugar and keeps calories modest. It makes the perfect addition to a brown butter tomato scampi or a one-pot spinach and sausage lasagna; the choices are endless. 

Ragú Simply Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce Nutritional Info (per 125-gram serving size)

• Calories: 70
• Total Fat: 1.5 grams (2% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 350 milligrams (15% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 11 grams (4% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
• Total Sugar: 6 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 2 grams

4. Cucina Antica Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce

Cucina Antica Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce is all about rich, authentic flavor crafted from quality ingredients. This contender for the healthiest pasta sauce is a delicious mixture of juicy San Marzano plum tomatoes imported directly from Italy. It’s blended with aromatic basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil for a flavor that tastes like it simmered all day. 

It has depth without relying on added sugars or artificial ingredients, plus the added benefit of having just 230 milligrams of sodium per serving. If you want a pantry staple that screams Italian comfort and is better for you, this is one of the healthiest pasta sauces for the job. 

Cucina Antica Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce Nutritional Info (per 113-gram serving size)

• Calories: 45
• Total Fat: 1 gram (2% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 230 milligrams (10% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 7 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 2 grams (6% DV)
• Total Sugar: 6 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 2 grams

5. Michael’s of Brooklyn Marinara Sauce, Low Sodium

You can’t go wrong with a no-frills marinara that’s full of authenticity and Michael’s of Brooklyn Marinara Sauce, Low Sodium is among the healthiest pasta sauces for exactly that reason. Each jar delivers a homemade, straight-from-the-kitchen taste without cutting corners.

Since 1964, this family-run business has perfected a recipe passed down through generations. They’ve stayed true to what matters most — making one of the healthiest jarred pasta sauces that’s exactly what it claims to be. This low sodium version lists just 20 milligrams of sodium per serving, which is unusually low for jarred sauce.

Michael’s of Brooklyn Marinara Sauce, Low Sodium Nutritional Info (per 120-gram serving size)

• Calories: 45
• Total Fat: 2 grams (3% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 20 milligrams (1% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 2 grams (8% DV)
• Total Sugar: 4 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 1 gram

6. Primal Kitchen Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce

California-grown tomatoes, basil and a balanced touch of salty and sweet come together in every jar of Primal Kitchen’s Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. This healthy pasta sauce is made without added sugar and keeps the ingredient list simple.

While it earns points for simplicity and quality, the sodium content comes in at 390 milligrams per serving. That’s just shy of the 400 mark and worth noting if you’re watching your intake. Still, it is one of the healthiest pasta sauce picks that can make an easy, satisfying meal.

Primal Kitchen Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce Nutritional Info (per 124-gram serving size)

• Calories: 45
• Total Fat: 1 gram (1% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 390 milligrams (17% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 9 grams (3% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
• Total Sugar: 5 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 2 grams

 7. Bertolli Garlic Alfredo with Aged Parmesan Cheese Sauce

Bertolli Garlic Alfredo earns a spot to ensure a white-sauce option on this list of the healthiest pasta sauce picks, and it works when you need creamy flavor with portion control. A 61-gram serving provides 100 calories, 10 grams total fat (4.5 grams saturated)  with 310 milligrams sodium, so it isn’t “light,” but it does keep calories and sodium in a typical range for Alfredo with no added sugar.

Used in smaller amounts and loosened with hot pasta water, it can deliver the creamy profile readers want without relying on a larger pour. The ingredient list is not as short as some tomato-based picks among the healthiest pasta sauce options. It works well with low-carb pasta and, if the texture runs thin, it's easy to learn how to thicken pasta sauce if needed. 

Bertolli Garlic Alfredo Nutritional Info (per 61-gram serving size)

• Calories: 100
• Total Fat: 10 grams (13% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 grams (22% DV)
• Sodium: 310 milligrams (13% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 2 grams (1% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugar: <1 gram 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 1 gram

8. Victoria Low Sodium Marinara Sauce

Victoria Low Sodium Marinara earns a spot among the healthiest pasta sauces by keeping things simple with whole tomatoes, basil and olive oil. This healthy pasta sauce has a short ingredient list with no added sugar and just 120 milligrams of sodium per serving. 

The tomato sweetness comes naturally from the fruit rather than added sugars. It’s an easy pantry pick that fits tighter label criteria and stands out when you’re comparing the healthiest pasta sauces. In observational research, Harvard Health notes that tomato foods are a key source of lycopene and that higher lycopene levels have been linked with lower stroke risk. 

Victoria Low Sodium Marinara Sauce Nutritional Info (per 113-gram serving size)

• Calories: 70
• Total Fat: 4 grams (5% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams (3% DV)
• Sodium: 120 milligrams (5% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 1 gram (4% DV)
• Total Sugar: 5 grams
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 1 gram

9. Primal Kitchen No-Dairy Garlic Alfredo

Primal Kitchen No-Dairy Garlic Alfredo brings bold roasted garlic with avocado oil and creamy pumpkin butter as one of the healthiest pasta sauce picks for your pantry. It’s made without dairy, soy, gluten or canola oil and is vegan, paleo and keto-friendly. 

That means your garlic Parmesan chicken pasta or spaghetti squash carbonara gets a no-dairy twist without sacrificing flavor. Sodium lands at 350 milligrams per serving, yet it still balances quality with convenience and remains one of the healthiest pasta sauce options if you want a white sauce that’s lower in calories with no added sugar.

Primal Kitchen No-Dairy Garlic Alfredo Nutritional Info (per 62-gram serving size)

• Calories: 60
• Total fat: 4.5 grams (6% DV)
• Saturated fat: 0.5 grams (3% DV)
• Sodium: 350 milligrams (15% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 5 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary fiber: 0 grams
• Total sugar: 0 grams
• Added sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 1 gram

10. Gorji Gourmet Puttanesca Sauce

With 290 milligrams of sodium per serving and no added sugar, Gorji Gourmet Puttanesca stands out as one of the healthiest pasta sauces thanks to its short ingredient list. This award-winning, subtly spicy sauce is made with vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh garlic, capers, cayenne pepper, basil and intensely flavored Kalamata olives.

Add your own protein to round it out, keeping it one of the healthiest pasta sauce choices to build on. Pair with wholewheat pasta or zucchini noodles to boost fiber.

Gorji Gourmet Puttanesca Sauce Nutritional Info (per 125-gram serving size) 

• Calories: 70
• Total Fat: 4.5 grams (6% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams (3% DV)
• Sodium: 290 milligrams (13% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 1 gram (5% DV)
• Total Sugar: 3 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 0 grams

11. Wholesome Pantry Organic Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce

Wholesome Pantry Organic Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce earns a spot among the healthiest pasta sauce picks by keeping the recipe simple and organic. Made with organic tomatoes, onions, garlic, sea salt, olive oil along with some spices, it skips artificial ingredients and added sugar.

At 185 milligrams of sodium per serving, it stays low sodium while delivering bold roasted garlic flavor, which makes it easy to fit into tighter label criteria. If you want a budget-friendly jar that still reads like a home pantry and stacks up when you compare the healthiest pasta sauce options, this is an easy add to your shelf.

Wholesome Pantry Organic Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce Nutritional Info (per 125-gram serving size)

• Calories: 60
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 185 illigrams (8% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 12 grams (4% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 1 gram (4% DV)
• Total Sugar: 6 grams
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 3 grams

12. Rao's Homemade Sensitive Marinara Sauce

A healthy pasta sauce you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding is Rao’s Homemade Sensitive Marinara Sauce, made without onions and garlic for those with food sensitivities. Tomatoes are slowly simmered to bring out natural sweetness, and the ingredients list is simple with Italian tomatoes, basil leaf, oregano, olive oil, carrots and salt. 

At 130 calories per serving it’s not the lowest-calorie option on the shelf, but it has no added sugar and delivers authentic flavor without fillers. Everything comes down to portion control with this sauce, so keep that in mind and you’ll be fine. Rao’s has still amassed a loyal following because it’s one of the healthiest pasta sauces in a jar that effortlessly captures that unmistakable homemade flavor.

Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce Nutritional Info (per 125-gram serving size)

• Calories: 130
• Total Fat: 11 grams (14% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 1 gram (5% DV)
• Sodium: 330 milligrams (14% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams (2% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 1 gram (5% DV)
• Total Sugar: 4 grams 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Protein: 2 grams

Is Pasta Sauce Healthy?

Yes, pasta sauce can be a healthy option, but it really depends on the jar you choose. Many store-bought options can be higher in added sugar and sodium, and creamy styles are typically higher in saturated fat and calories.

The smarter move is to stick with simple tomato-based sauces like marinara made with minimal ingredients such as herbs, olive oil, salt and spices. Look for 0 grams of added sugar and ideally no more than 300 milligrams of sodium per ½ cup.

It’s a good idea to double-check serving size since some labels use ¼ cup while others use ½ cup. Creamy or cheese-based sauces are typically higher in saturated fat and calories, so keep portions smaller or save them for occasional meals.

When it comes to storing pasta sauce, unopened jars can hang out in the pantry until the best-by date. Once opened, they belong in the fridge and should be used within 5 to 7 days, or frozen for 2 to 3 months. At the end of the day, the most nutritious pasta sauce is the one with a short ingredient list and a reasonable portion, so you don’t load up on extra sodium or calories.

What Is the Healthiest Pasta Sauce in a Jar?

The healthiest pasta sauce in a jar usually doesn’t overcomplicate its ingredients and it’s usually tomato-based. That’s why, out of this list of the healthiest pasta sauce brands, Yo Mama's Original Marinara takes the top spot. Not only does it have the lowest amount of sodium per serving, but it’s also gluten-free, preservative-free and free from added sugar.

Best of all, it manages all that while retaining its rich, naturally sweet flavor, making it perfect if you’re exploring how to start eating healthy. Following closely behind is Cucina Antica Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce, which uses extra virgin olive oil and stays within our sodium and added sugar targets.

Learn to Cook the Healthiest Pasta Sauce

Cooking classes, whether near you or online, make it easy to learn how to whip up your version of the healthiest pasta sauces and plenty of other good-for-you meals. With a top-rated chef leading each class, you’ll pick up simple techniques and discover smart ingredient swaps that instantly make your pasta sauces both healthier and tastier.

If you join one of our healthy online cooking classes, you get to cook from the comfort of your kitchen while following along step by step. You’ll find that cooking classes near you are equally rewarding, offering a fun hands-on experience with fellow foodies. Either way you’ll come out more confident in the kitchen, pick up new skills and even learn to choose the healthiest pasta sauce.

Jarred pasta sauce is a staple in many households and that’s exactly why picking the healthiest pasta sauce can help you meet your label targets. Even if you don’t reach for store-bought jars often, it’s still wise to know what to look for. That way, when the need arises, you’ll be ready to choose the healthiest pasta sauce brands with confidence. 

From tomato basil to classic marinara, these rich sauces prove you don’t have to compromise on taste to eat well. Stock a few favorites from this list of healthiest pasta sauces in your pantry and you’ll be able to turn weeknight dinners into something wholesome and satisfying.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.