What Pasta Sauce Has No Added Sugar?

slug: pasta-sauce-no-sugar

title: "What Pasta Sauce Has No Added Sugar?"

teaser: "Why your 'savory' dinner might have as much sugar as a couple of cookies."

category: cooking-oils

subcategory: condiments-sauces

verdict: clean

status: published

is_new: true

updated: 2026-02-25

tldr: >

Most major pasta sauce brands (Prego, Ragu, Classico) add sugar or corn syrup to mask the acidity of cheap tomatoes. Rao's Homemade is the gold standard for sugar-free marinara, using high-quality tomatoes and olive oil. Newman's Own Marinara and Primal Kitchen are excellent, widely available sugar-free alternatives. For a budget option, Hunt's Garlic & Herb (canned) has zero added sugar.

key_findings:

• "Traditional" sauce from brands like Prego can contain 9-10g of sugar per serving—nearly as much as a glazed donut.
• Carrot puree is the secret ingredient in cleaner brands (like Newman's Own) to balance acidity without cane sugar.
• "No Added Sugar" labels are regulated, but always check for soybean oil, which often accompanies added sweeteners in cheap sauces.
• Rao's Homemade uses whole peeled tomatoes and olive oil, eliminating the need for sweeteners entirely.

sources:

• title: "Prego vs Ragu Sugar Content"

url: "https://www.eatthis.com"

type: article

• title: "Newman's Own Ingredients"

url: "https://www.newmansown.com"

type: label-test

• title: "Classico Ingredient Analysis"

url: "https://www.fooducate.com"

type: lab-test

recommendations:

• name: "Rao's Homemade Marinara"

brand: "Rao's"

verdict: recommended

note: "The benchmark for taste and clean ingredients."

• name: "Newman's Own Marinara"

brand: "Newman's Own"

verdict: recommended

note: "Best value sugar-free option."

• name: "Tomato Basil Marinara"

brand: "Primal Kitchen"

verdict: recommended

note: "Certified clean, made with avocado oil."

• name: "Prego Traditional"

brand: "Prego"

verdict: avoid

note: "Loaded with sugar and canola oil."

related:

• is-jarred-pasta-sauce-healthy
• sugar-in-pasta-sauce
• cleanest-pasta-sauce
• is-raos-worth-it
• is-newmans-own-sauce-clean

suggested_articles:

• title: "Why Is Rao's Pasta Sauce So Expensive?"

reason: "Readers often balk at the price difference and want to know if the ingredients justify it."

• title: "Best Canned Tomatoes for Homemade Sauce"

reason: "A natural follow-up for readers who decide to stop buying jarred sauce entirely."

The Short Answer

If you want a pasta sauce with absolutely no added sugar, your best bet is Rao's Homemade. It relies on high-quality Italian tomatoes and slow cooking to bring out natural sweetness, rather than dumping in cane sugar.

For a more affordable option that is still widely available, Newman's Own Marinara (and their Organic line) contains zero added sugar, using carrot puree to balance the acidity instead. Primal Kitchen is another safe, certified-clean choice.

Avoid "Traditional" styles from big commercial brands like Prego, Ragu, and Classico. A single half-cup serving of Prego Traditional packs 9-10 grams of sugar—that’s roughly the same sugar hit as two Oreo cookies poured over your spaghetti.

Why This Matters

You expect sugar in your dessert, not your dinner. Yet, for decades, food manufacturers have pumped pasta sauces full of sweeteners.

Why do they do it? To save money. Ripe, high-quality tomatoes are naturally sweet but expensive. Unripe, industrial-grade tomatoes are cheap but acidic and sour. To fix the taste without fixing the ingredients, brands add sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).

This matters because sugar is inflammatory and addictive. When you eat a savory meal that is secretly high in sugar, you spike your blood glucose without realizing it, contributing to insulin resistance and cravings.

What's Actually In Pasta Sauce

Here is the difference between a "clean" sauce and a "conventional" sugar-laden one.

The Clean Formula (e.g., Rao's):

• Italian Whole Peeled Tomatoes — The base. High quality means natural sweetness. Cleanest Pasta Sauce
• Olive Oil — Real Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) adds richness.
• Onions & Garlic — Fresh aromatics.
• Salt & Herbs — Basil, oregano, black pepper.

The Conventional Formula (e.g., Prego/Ragu):

• Tomato Puree — Water mixed with tomato paste (highly processed).
• Sugar / HFCS — Often the 3rd or 4th ingredient. Sugar In Pasta Sauce
• Seed Oils — Canola oil or Soybean oil replace the expensive olive oil. Is Jarred Pasta Sauce Healthy
• Natural Flavor — Lab-made additives to mimic the taste of fresh herbs.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• "No Added Sugar" — Look for this specific claim on the front.
• Carrot Puree — A brilliant natural way to sweeten sauce without cane sugar (seen in Newman's Own).
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil — It should be the only oil listed.
• Whole Peeled Tomatoes — First ingredient should be tomatoes, not "water and paste."

Red Flags:

• Sugar / Cane Sugar — If it's in the top 5 ingredients, put it back.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup — Still common in cheaper "meat" flavored sauces.
• Soybean / Canola Oil — Cheap fillers that are highly processed.
• "Traditional" or "Sweet Basil" — Marketing code words for "extra sugary."

The Best Options

Here are the top sugar-free picks you can find at most grocery stores.

The Bottom Line

1. Check the label. Don't assume "savory" means sugar-free. "Traditional" sauces are the worst offenders.

2. Spend the extra $2. Brands like Rao's cost more because they use ripe tomatoes instead of sugar. You are paying for better ingredients, not just a brand name. Is Raos Worth It

3. Try the carrot trick. If you make sauce at home (or buy cheap canned sauce), grate a fresh carrot into it while simmering. It cuts the acidity naturally, just like Newman's Own does.

FAQ

Does "sugar-free" mean zero sugar?

No. Tomatoes contain natural sugar (fructose). A clean sauce will have about 3-5g of natural sugar per serving. You are trying to avoid Added Sugars, which can spike the total to 10g+ per serving.

Is Classico pasta sauce sugar-free?

Generally, no. Most Classico flavors, especially "Traditional Sweet Basil," contain added sugar. However, their "Riserva" line is sometimes cleaner. Always flip the jar and check.

Why is Rao's so expensive?

Rao's uses imported Italian tomatoes and pure olive oil, whereas cheaper brands use tomato paste, water, and soybean oil. You are paying for real food versus processed filler. Raos Vs Newmans Own