Pasta sauces may seem like a simple and harmless addition to your dinner, but some store-bought varieties are packed with hidden sugars, excessive sodium, and artificial preservatives. While pasta itself can be part of a balanced meal, the sauce you choose can make a big difference in its nutritional value. Here are some of the worst pasta sauce brands for your health.
Ragu Old World Style Traditional
Ragu is one of the most recognized pasta sauce brands, but the Old World Style Traditional variety is far from healthy. A half-cup serving contains 480 mg of sodium and 8 grams of sugar—a surprising amount for a product marketed as “traditional.” Much of the sweetness comes from added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, ingredients that don’t belong in a savory tomato sauce. It’s also relatively low in fiber and lacks the richness of real, slow-cooked tomatoes.
Prego Traditional Italian Sauce
Prego’s Traditional Italian Sauce is another household staple that hides a lot of sugar. Just one serving contains 10 grams of sugar, and it’s not all from tomatoes. The sauce includes added sugar and corn syrup, boosting both the sweetness and calorie count unnecessarily. It also contains 480 mg of sodium per serving, making it a poor choice for people watching their salt intake. For a sauce that’s supposed to be simple and classic, Prego adds a lot of extras your body doesn’t need.
Bertolli Tomato & Basil
Bertolli’s Tomato & Basil sauce may sound fresh and authentic, but its ingredient list tells a different story. A single serving contains 550 mg of sodium, one of the highest amounts among major brands. While it does use olive oil and real tomatoes, the high salt content can quickly add up—especially if you pair it with salty pasta dishes or garlic bread. It also includes added sugar, which diminishes the benefits of its otherwise simple ingredients.
Francesco Rinaldi Traditional
Francesco Rinaldi Traditional Sauce might be budget-friendly, but it falls short nutritionally. It contains 470 mg of sodium per half-cup serving and uses high-fructose corn syrup—a red flag when it comes to processed foods. It also lacks the robust flavor of premium sauces, which can lead people to add extra cheese or salt to compensate. The result? A meal that’s far higher in sodium and calories than you might expect.
Classico Italian Sausage with Peppers & Onions
Classico’s Italian Sausage with Peppers & Onions sauce may offer a bold flavor, but it’s one of the heaviest options in the pasta sauce aisle. With 540 mg of sodium and 9 grams of sugar per serving, it’s not heart-friendly. It also contains soy protein concentrate and other additives that give it a more processed feel. The added meat flavoring bumps up the fat content as well, making it a sauce best avoided for regular meals.
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