20 Popular Ragu Pasta Sauces, Ranked Worst To Best
We all love a good homemade sauce. Chopping up fresh tomatoes, making a roux, and adding wine, nuts, and herbs feels like making a potion with a delicious, saucy bowl of pasta as your prize. But sometimes, you want an amazing pasta dish without all that effort. When you've come home from a long day of work, you have to feed the kids, and you just want to chill out in front of your latest Netflix watch, making a sauce from scratch may not seem like the most exciting prospect.
That's when turning to a jarred pasta sauce may be in your best interest. Think jarred pasta sauce can't be amazing? Think again. There are tons of brands out there making pasta sauce that's almost as good as fresh, and Ragu is one of them. Luckily, this brand also carries a huge range of different types of sauce. So, no matter what kind of pasta you want to make for dinner, there's a good chance that you'll find a sauce that'll get you at least partially there from Ragu.
Want to know which ones are best, though? We've ranked Ragu's pasta sauces from worst to best so you know which ones to pick out the next time you're at the grocery store. Let's take a closer look.
Double Cheddar
When you think of Ragu pasta sauce, you probably think of a jarred sauce. However, you may not know that one of their sauces, the Double Cheddar, actually comes in a box. If that already sounds like they're getting off on the wrong foot, you're right. Another red flag is the fact that the box says it's made with "real cheese." Why wouldn't it be? While the sauce technically gets good ratings on Ragu's own website, we aren't fans ourselves.
The Double Cheddar sauce tastes like it's trying to imitate Kraft but didn't quite come up with the right formula. It's supposed to be a mac and cheese sauce, but we don't think it'll do your macaroni justice. While it's not the worst cheese sauce we've ever had, in our opinion, it's the worst in Ragu's lineup. Keep some cheese and some cream on hand, and you won't have to worry about a subpar cheese sauce from a box ever again.
Classic Alfredo
For those who tend not to enjoy red sauces, whether as a matter of taste or as a matter of heartburn risk, Ragu has you covered with plenty of white sauces. These sauces tend to be more mild and less acidic, making them a fantastic choice for those who love adding some creaminess to their pasta. However, if you're having a difficult time choosing a white sauce, we can give you one tip: Don't go for the Classic Alfredo.
Alfredo sauce can already be a bit cloying if you're used to something with more acidity in it, but this sauce is really over-the-top creamy ... and not in a good way. Take a bite, and it'll feel like your mouth is filled with Elmer's glue, which is probably not what you want on pasta night.
Of course, you can always dress this sauce up if you want to take it from blah to somewhat tasty — we think the addition of some lemon zest, fresh cracked black pepper, and maybe even some red pepper flakes could turn up the notch. However, as is, we wouldn't recommend picking up this sauce.
Garden Combination
There are different sauces for every job. Sometimes, you need a marinara sauce for your pasta. Other times, you need some salsa for your tortilla chips. But what would happen if you tried to combine the two into one solitary sauce? That's what seems to be going on with the Garden Combination sauce from Ragu. Tomatoes, onions, carrots, and peppers make up the base of this pasta, and they give the sauce a vegetal quality that actually doesn't taste that bad.
The only problem? It almost feels like you're pouring thickened salsa onto your pasta. We love that Ragu is giving us products that will help us incorporate more veggies into our diet, but this sauce just isn't our favorite on top of pasta. If you're planning on using the sauce for something else, go ahead and pick it up. (It could be great with eggplant parmesan.) If, on the other hand, you're looking for the most delicious pasta sauce around, you can skip out on this variety.
Hearty Traditional
When you want a pasta sauce that will just cover the basics, no extra frills required, then you've found what you're looking for in Ragu's Hearty Traditional sauce. Apparently, this pasta sauce has over 11 tomatoes per jar, and that's clear once you taste how concentrated the flavor is. Those tomatoes are then simmered with herbs and spices to make a flavorful pasta sauce that goes well with a variety of pasta shapes.
But as good as all of that sounds, this still isn't our favorite sauce from the brand. That's because when it comes to a sauce this simple, you're just better off making it yourself. There aren't that many extras to add, so it should be too difficult to cook it up yourself on the stove. Plus, it'll probably taste a lot better than the jarred stuff.
We get it ... sometimes, you just don't have the energy or the capacity to make your own sauce. But if you're getting something that comes in a jar, we'd encourage you to find a Ragu sauce that's just a bit more interesting.
Chunky Marinara
What if you're looking for a marinara sauce but don't want to have to stick to something plain and boring? Ragu hears your request, and they've provided you with the Chunky Marinara sauce. First of all, we have to warn you that this too is a really simple sauce. Onions, garlic, and tomatoes make up the bulk of the flavor apart from a smattering of spices and seasonings. Overall, the taste is pretty good — how could it not be when onions and garlic are involved? This one is better than some of the other available sauces just because it has that chunkiness that makes every bite of pasta a little more interesting.
But that being said, this is another sauce that's just too easy to make on its own. Cook up some onions, garlic, and canned tomatoes yourself, and you basically already have the same thing (and probably for a lot cheaper).
Traditional
Sometimes, you just have to stick to the classics, and that's certainly what you're going to get when you opt for the Traditional sauce from Ragu. This is your classic red sauce that you've probably had a million times. It has the tang and sweetness from the tomatoes, a punch of flavor from garlic and onions, and even some carrots for an interesting (but also probably unnecessary) twist. Overall, it's a solid sauce, but it's not anything special. You can get a similar sauce from pretty much every other brand on the market.
One thing that we don't like about this stuff is the fact that it's so thin — in fact, it's almost on the watery side. A thicker, richer sauce would probably work better to coat the pasta, but that's not what you're going to get in this case. While the jar does say that there's already olive oil in the recipe, we think it helps to add a bit more. It makes the sauce more filling and adds a richness that you don't otherwise really get.
Mama's Special Garden
We're going to state what's probably already obvious here: The Mama's Special Garden sauce is not going to taste as good as your mom's — if she's a good cook, that is. While the name of this type of sauce may make you think back to the days when you didn't have to cook your own dinner for yourself, it definitely doesn't have that homemade touch that you likely crave from time to time. But we guess can't hold that against Ragu ... it's not like they have access to Mom's cookbook (not like she would relinquish control of the recipe anyway).
Instead, you have a sauce that's overall just okay. It does taste like it has a lot of veggies in the mix, but they don't taste particularly fresh. Rather, it just tastes like a red sauce that's confused about its identity. However, if you're looking for ways to incorporate more veggies into your diet, this is a great place to start (especially if you're feeling lazy).
Mushroom and Green Pepper
Finally, we're on to a sauce that's a little more interesting, a little more out of the ordinary than many of the sauces we've encountered this far. It's the Mushroom and Green Pepper sauce, and we like that it feels a bit out of the ordinary. You don't come across these specific ingredients in every pasta sauce, and we appreciate that Ragu is trying to do something different here. Of course, we love the addition of mushrooms, as they add a bit of bite and texture that you wouldn't otherwise get to enjoy.
Our problem comes in with the addition of green pepper. Sure, a little green pepper flavor wouldn't hurt, but it's a bit too strong in this recipe for our taste. The end result isn't bad, per se, but it does taste a little bit greener than we would prefer. While it may not be our ideal sauce, we can imagine that there are plenty of people out there that would love this stuff ... maybe you're one of them.
Six Cheese
So far, we've seen a lot of really veggie-heavy sauces, and we're definitely here for it. After all, most of us don't eat enough vegetables on a daily basis, and a sauce is an easy way to work them into your diet without much effort. However, if we're being honest with ourselves, there are some days when we want to pass up the extra serving of veggies and opt for extra cheese instead. That's just what you'll have the opportunity to do if you pick up a jar of Six Cheese sauce from Ragu.
In this sauce, you'll find ricotta, asiago, Romano, Parmesan, fontina, and mozzarella cheeses. We were happy to see that some of these cheese varieties are somewhat out of the ordinary — the addition of asiago is especially impressive. But even though this sauce is packed with cheese, we could still add more on top.
Unfortunately, the name of the sauce sounds more promising than the sauce actually turns out to be, but it's not a bad option for all the cheese lovers out there.
Tomato, Garlic, and Onion
When you want a sauce that's full of flavor, you should look into Ragu's Tomato, Garlic, and Onion sauce. While these flavors are present in several Ragu sauces, this one is a bit different because of the fact that it's chunkier than many of the other varieties. It is a solid option if you're looking for a super flavorful sauce — that garlic and those onions are really working overtime here, and we're grateful for it.
While we do admit that this is a super tasty sauce, it's still not one of our favorites simply because of how simple it is — and how simple it would be to make a fresher version at home. But if you're not much of a sauce maker or you just want a quick meal you can eat and be done with, this sauce may just give you what you need. But just a warning: It may not be the best option for a date night meal in.
Super Chunky Mushroom
Look, we know that not everyone loves mushrooms, which is why the Super Chunky Mushroom sauce from Ragu isn't at the top of our list. The texture throws some people off, and we totally get that. But for us, mushrooms are one of the most delicious additions to a pasta sauce, and this sauce isn't any exception. While there are other Ragu sauces that prominently feature mushrooms, this one is a bit different in that it really is super chunky (the name doesn't lie). That results in a super flavorful sauce that has just the right amount of texture.
This sauce is great for all kinds of recipes, but we especially like it for those who are trying to keep their pasta dishes vegetarian. When you have so much of those chunky mushrooms to bite into, you may not even miss the flavor and texture of meat that much. For mushroom lovers, this one is a clear winner.
Butter Parmesan
You already know how we feel about the Classic Alfredo sauce, but that doesn't mean that we dislike every white sauce that Ragu offers. One such white sauce that we happen to enjoy is Butter Parmesan. Let's get one think straight: If you're looking for a light, refreshing pasta dish, you're not going to want to use this sauce. It's rich and heavy, and it's definitely going to fill you up quickly. But sometimes, that can be a good thing — when you want a warming, luxurious bowl of pasta to devour, this sauce will meet the moment.
We will admit that there's nothing particularly interesting about the flavor. For the most part, it's just fatty, salty, and creamy. Those are all excellent qualities that we love and we would absolutely keep coming back for again and again. However, if you want something that's different or interesting to your palate, this sauce is not the best way to go. If, on the other hand, you prefer something simple but special, this option should surely catch your attention.
Meat Sauce
As you can probably already see, most of the sauces that Ragu offers are, in fact, vegetarian. That's great for all the veggie-lovers out there who have chosen to abstain from meat. But what about when you want a rich, meaty pasta dish to indulge in? No problem because Ragu also carries a Meat Sauce. We know what you're thinking already: This isn't as good as a homemade Bolognese. And to be honest, that's probably true. But for a jarred pasta sauce, we have to admit that Ragu's meat sauce really does its job.
Ground beef is responsible for the meatiness of this sauce, but the tangy tomatoes and flavorful Italian seasonings do some heavy lifting as well. Overall, the flavor is excellent. The only thing we would change is the amount of meat in the sauce — it could use more. Our recommendation? Bulk it up yourself if you have some extra ground beef in the fridge. Mushrooms or other veggies would work well too.
Sauteed Onion and Garlic
All of Ragu's sauces featuring onion and garlic are good choices. However, there's one that we like more than all the rest: the Sautéed Onion and Garlic sauce. Just think: As good as raw garlic and onions are, you know when they taste even better? When you sauté them in some butter or olive oil and the smell fills your entire kitchen. That's the good stuff, and that's just what Ragu offers with this sauce. Because the onion and garlic has gotten the royal treatment, it brings out the sweetness and richness in these flavors even more. In short, it tastes amazing.
Of course, this isn't the ideal sauce for all those who tend to like milder flavors. And if you're not an absolute garlic fiend like we are, it may turn you off a bit. But for all those who can't get enough garlic in their life, this is a jarred pasta sauce you just have to try.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan
Here's another one for the garlic fans: Ragu's Roasted Garlic Parmesan sauce. This is a white sauce, and it's definitely one of the best of the bunch. If we have to pick two flavors to eat for the rest of our lives, we think we'd probably choose garlic and Parmesan. It makes sense, then, why this cheese sauce is so out-of-this-world good. It has the creaminess of a great white sauce but it packs way more flavor than you would get from, say, the Classic Alfredo sauce from Ragu.
For all those who think that a white sauce isn't for you, we beg you to give this one a try — it might just change your mind. It is thick and rich, yes, but that means it also coats your pasta perfectly. Add some freshly cracked black pepper on top, and it'll be clear why this is a must-try sauce.
Roasted Garlic
We know what we said about the sautéed garlic, and we fully stand by that. But if you want to talk about the pinnacle of garlic existence, it all comes down to the roasted garlic. We already know that the Roasted Garlic Parmesan sauce is the salty, flavorful white sauce of your dreams, but what if you want to capture that same feeling in a red sauce? Well, watch out, because that's where Ragu's Roasted Garlic sauce comes in. This sauce is about as simple as it can get, which we love, but with the addition of roasted garlic, it's really something special.
It's already absolutely packed with garlic, but if you want to add more, go for it. You may have to brush your teeth three times after your meal, but if you ask us, it's totally worth it. Never let anyone shame you for your love of garlic — at least Ragu understands you.
Chunky Garden Vegetable
We're not a fan of all the super veggie-heavy sauces that Ragu offers, but there is one that we absolutely love. It's the Chunky Garden Vegetable, and we think it's something special. While a lot of the other sauces on this list are pretty heavy and filling, you're going to get something that feels lighter and more nutritious with this option. In addition to the expected tomatoes in this sauce, you'll also be treated to chunks of green pepper, celery, and zucchini. And with all that green goodness in there, this sauce will make you feel just as good as it tastes.
Even though celery and zucchini may sound strange in a pasta sauce, we have to admit that it actually works really well here. And if you want to save yourself some time when it comes to chopping and prepping veggies, this sauce may just be your answer. Veggie lovers everywhere, it's time to give this Ragu selection a try.
Parmesan and Romano
We love our veggies, of course, but we also love cheese ... and lots of it. The Six Cheese sauce is delicious, but some of the cheese flavors are so dispersed into the sauce that you can't really pick them out. If you want something that's a little more focused and even more delicious, then you're going to want to turn to Ragu's Parmesan and Romano sauce instead. This sauce is pleasantly chunky, which is definitely a plus. But it really shines when it comes to its strong umami flavor from the cheese. It adds depth to the already tangy-sweet sauce, which really takes it to the next level for us.
This sauce is great on its own, but we highly recommend that you pick up even more Parmesan so you can sprinkle it on top right before you serve it. With a cheesy jarred pasta sauce this good, you may not ever want to make your own sauce again.
Mushroom
Do we love the Super Chunky Mushroom sauce from Ragu? Absolutely. But not everyone wants too many chunks of mushroom in their sauce. If you fall into that category, then we have the perfect solution for you. The slightly more subtle Mushroom sauce sounds simple, but sometimes, simplicity is the way to go. We certainly think that's the case when it comes to this delicious sauce. You'll get plenty of the mushroom flavor without so much of the texture. Therefore, this sauce is great for mushroom lovers as well as those that are still learning to like the fungi.
You can totally make an easy meal out of just pasta and this sauce. However, we always encourage you to spice things up a little more. Some cheese could make a delicious addition to this sauce, and, of course, you can always add more mushrooms. Whatever you decide to add, you're not going to be disappointed by this selection.
Creamy Basil Alfredo
It's not often that you find a white sauce that still offers a touch of a refreshing taste. After all, white sauces are usually too creamy to really be focusing on freshness. But if you're restlessly looking for the best of both worlds, we think we've found what you've been seeking. It's Ragu's Creamy Basil Alfredo sauce, and we can't deny that it's our favorite of the bunch.
First of all, it's unexpected. You might assume that basil would find its way into a red sauce, but a white one? That's bold. Secondly, there's so much basil in the jar, the sauce almost takes on a light green tint. Once you add the cheese into the mix, it's clear that this is one jarred pasta sauce you have to try. Adding fresh basil on top may just make this your new favorite easy meal. Pick it up the next time you're in the pasta aisle, and give it a try.