You don’t have to be a chef to make a mean batch of spaghetti. Frankly, you just need a great spaghetti sauce recipe, and know how to cook pasta the right way.
The red stuff comes in many shapes and sizes at your local grocer or online retailer of choice. A collective love for Italian cuisine means we are practically inundated by spaghetti sauce at the store. Some sauces are worth their weight in gold. Others, not so much.
What’s fact is that you don’t need to suffer through a sauce that has about as much soul as a ketchup packet. Instead, up your at-home pasta game with one of these great options.
Lucini Rustic Tomato Basil
This batch of organic sauce is a tidy mix of herbs, tomatoes, and spices. The basil pops and enlivens the whole thing, which is made in Italy and given some savory-ness via sea salt.
Thrive Market Marinara
Thrive’s marinara is made from Italian tomatoes grown sustainably neat Mt. Vesuvius. It’s full-bodied and nourishing, excellent in a wide range of Italian dishes.
Alessio’s
This sauce tastes like an old family recipe. It’s relatively low in sodium and fat without sacrificing any flavor. Try it with meatballs, whether you make them with pork and beef or a plant-based substitute.
Williams Sonoma Organic Tomato Basil
This sauce from Williams Sonoma seemingly spent a long time on the stove. The flavors meld nicely, bound together by olive oil and a reasonable amount of garlic.
Rao’s Marinara
Rao’s marinara has a bit more depth thanks to the addition of some oregano, black pepper, onion, and garlic. It’s great as is or as a base should you feel like doctoring it up with olives, capers, or some balsamic.
Michaels of Brooklyn
Made with fresh parsley and a tasty spice bill, this sauce is built around imported tomatoes from Italy. The brand is an offshoot of the iconic Italian eatery that launched back in 1964.
Stonewall Kitchen
This is one of many great sauces by Stonewall Kitchen (and if you’re feeling saucy and want additions like truffles, snoop around). This one is a people pleaser, sure to elevate your spaghetti and fit with a lovely roasted garlic flavor.
Lidia’s Garden Style
Lidia’s version is jam packed with garden veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, and more. It’s a great way to keep things vegetarian while holding on to that homemade flavor.
Trader Joe’s
This sturdy sauce from TJ’s boasts a thick texture and a pleasant kick of spice. As the store suggests, it’s great with traditional pasta but can also be used in a number of tomato-centric dishes, any meal of the day.
