Erin Elizabeth
The most famous use of tomatoes is as a sauce for pasta and pizza. Italians discovered that by stewing tomatoes with a few herbs and aromatics, they reduce into a silky and fragrant all-purpose sauce – marinara.
Lure has it that this flavorful concoction earned the name marinara for its humble beginnings as a standard sauce aboard Italian ships in the 17th century.
Marinara sauce is a household staple worldwide. You can find countless brands at your local grocery store.
I’ve listed the best jarred marinara sauces for you to explore below if you don’t have time to make your own.
These grocery store marinara sauces taste great, so you don’t have to worry about making one from scratch for your next pasta or pizza night.
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Pasta Sauce
365 is Whole Foods Market’s organic name brand line that upholds the company’s commitment to clean and organic food.
This organic pasta sauce is made with USDA organic ingredients, including Extra Virgin olive oil, herbs, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree.
Because it’s a Whole Foods brand product, it is high-quality yet more affordable than many competitors you’d find on Whole Foods shelves.
Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce
Before selling jars of Marinara sauce, Rao’s was first and foremost a famous family-owned Italian restaurant in New York.
Their incredible house-made sauces and pasta were so popular that founder Frank Pellegrino launched a line of jarred marinara sauces using the same premium ingredients.
I love the concentrated flavor of this sauce. It gives me a glimpse into a professional kitchen.
Rao’s also makes other great grocery products, including a tasty jarred vodka sauce you should try, frozen lasagnas, and more.
Bertolli Traditional Marinara
Originating in Tuscany in 1865, Bertolli started as an Italian grocer.
The family business moved to America in 1875 and is now one of the leading Italian sauce, oil, and pasta brands.
Their traditional marinara uses vine-ripened tomatoes and a recipe that spans over 150 years. In my opinion, its simplicity is its selling point.
Victoria Marinara Sauce
Founded by an Italian immigrant family in Brooklyn in 1929, Victoria epitomizes the American dream.
They claim that authentic Italian sauces revolve around the authenticity of their ingredients.
That’s why every ingredient in Victoria Marinara sauce is an Italian import.
A big selling point with this sauce for me is that they use real tomatoes instead of a tomato and tomato paste mix.
Barilla Marinara
I’m sure you’ve seen Barilla products if you’ve ever been to a supermarket pasta section.
Barilla is the most ubiquitous Italian pasta and sauce brand in the states.
With nearly 150 years in business, you can count on Barilla as a dependable brand for a home-cooked pasta dinner. They’re also one of the cheapest sauces on my list, but it still tastes great.
Newman’s Own Marinara
Newman’s Own is a laudable organic food company that donates its profits to charity.
Founder and famous actor Paul Newman used his celebrity to found the company, whose charitable donations have reached over 500 million dollars.
Newman’s Own Marinara is a simple, all-natural sauce that tastes delicious while also contributing to Paul Newman’s noble legacy.
La San Marzano Marinara Pasta Sauce
Whenever I go to a high-end Italian restaurant, I notice that they point out that they use San Marzano tomatoes.
La San Marzano is an Italian company using 100% Italian ingredients sourced from Mediterranean soils.
La San Marzano Marinara Pasta Sauce is the purest form of this centuries-old Italian culinary tradition.
Il Mulino Marinara
Il Mulino is one of New York’s most prestigious fine dining Italian restaurants.
Their line of organic specialty sauces sold in fashionable and understated mason jars is the height of gourmet gastronomy.
Their marinara sauce is classically made with high quality ingredients. When I want to impress my dinner guests, I shell out the extra bucks for Il Mulino.
Mezzetta Family Co. Marinara Sauce
Mezzetta has always been my go-to brand for pickled peppers, so I know that their artisanal Marinara sauce upholds the same quality standard.
Mezzetta Family Co. Marinara Sauce uses San Marzano tomatoes to create a sweet, juicy, and flavorful product that’s non-GMO, vegan, and all-natural.
Prego Farmers’ Market Classic Marinara Sauce
Owned by the iconic Campbell’s company, Prego’s line of farm-fresh pasta sauces is as comforting and dependable as Campbell’s line of soups.
They keep the recipe simple and true to Italian tradition, with a short list of high-quality ingredients.
Prego is a brand as well-known as Barilla and the cheapest option available at any grocery or convenience store.
Trader Joe’s Organic
Trader Joe’s is the ultimate high-quality bargain grocer.
They beat the competition by providing their brand of packaged, jarred, and tinned food products for the lowest possible prices.
Trader Joe’s Organic marinara sauce uses all organic ingredients. It’s thicker and chunkier than most sauces. I love it on pasta or as a topping for crusty bread.
Marinara sauce consists of tomatoes, herbs, oil, garlic, and onions stewed to a thick and flavorful reduction. Instead of spending hours prepping and cooking, you can buy ready-made jars of marinara sauce.
My list of the best jarred marinara sauces will give you options for any budget, and they all taste delicious, fresh, and comforting.
Learn about other popular pasta sauces to change up your next pasta dinner.
