These Are The 9 Best Marinara Sauce Brands, According to Delish

For anyone who’s ever grown up with homemade marinara—or better yet, "Sunday sauce"—there’s a distinct expectation set. The thick, aromatic sauce bubbling away on the stove has an unmistakable charm, and for many of us, no store-bought version can quite live up to the family recipe. But let’s face it: convenience wins sometimes. So, in an attempt to find a store-bought sauce that could hold its own, Catherine Sillars decided to try 9 of the most popular brands, both on their own and paired with pasta. The results were… well, let’s just say, not all sauces are created equal.

9. Ragu: A Classic Disappointment

Let’s start with Ragu, a household name that many of us have a nostalgic connection to. Unfortunately, it didn’t do itself any favors. From the moment she opened the jar, the scent hit Catherine like processed Parmesan cheese—something far from the fresh, herbaceous aroma you expect from a good marinara. The consistency was thick, but it didn’t quite match the richness of homemade sauce. It felt more like a mass-produced product rather than a comforting, spoon-worthy sauce. Catherine could resist this one easily, which says a lot about its lack of allure.

8. Francesco Rinaldi: The Sweet Surprises You Don’t Want

Next up, Francesco Rinaldi. The presence of added sugar immediately soured Catherine's experience. Sure, sugar has its place in some recipes, but in marinara? Not so much. The naturally sweet flavor of onions is more than enough to carry the sauce, and adding sugar just felt unnecessary. The onions themselves weren’t soft enough to provide that melt-in-your-mouth texture you hope for in a good sauce. Overall, this just didn’t remind her of the marinara she grew up with, and frankly, it wasn’t the type of sauce Catherine would reach for on her grocery run.

7. Bertolli: A Familiar, Yet Forgettable Face

Bertolli, another familiar brand, presented a sauce that took Catherine right back to her school days. The tomato chunks were a bit too large for her liking, but she could tell that they were fresh, along with some hints of onion and basil. However, the sauce didn't have that evocative aroma—the one that makes your stomach rumble just thinking about it. It was fine, respectable even, but nothing that would inspire her to rush out and buy it again. It was the kind of sauce you eat without much thought, and sometimes, that’s just not enough.

6. Barilla: A Disappointing Batch

Barilla’s marinara sauce looked promising with its lighter orange hue and smaller tomato chunks. It should’ve been a winner for Catherine, as she prefers a smoother, less chunky sauce. Sadly, its taste fell short. The flavor was a little off, and even after mixing it with pasta, it didn’t improve much. It’s a sauce that looks the part but doesn’t quite deliver when it comes to the depth and balance that you expect from a high-quality marinara.

5. Michael’s of Brooklyn: A Satisfying, No-Frills Option

Michael’s of Brooklyn was a middle-of-the-road contender in this taste test. If Catherine had a box of pasta and this jar of sauce in her kitchen, she wouldn’t feel devastated. It wasn’t exceptional, but it wasn’t dreadful either. The sauce did have some nice flecks of pepper, garlic, and basil, which gave it a bit of personality, but there was a lack of that vibrant, fresh tomato flavor that she craves in a marinara. It’s a good emergency sauce to have around but not one to write home about.

4. Mutti: A Moment of Oil and Disappointment

Mutti had Catherine hopeful from the start with a visually appealing layer of oil that sat on top of the sauce, a good sign of richness. But unfortunately, the sauce didn’t live up to its potential. The flavor just didn’t match the promise that the oil gave, and Catherine couldn’t shake the feeling that the oil itself was the culprit. Maybe the wrong oil was used, or it was a sign of a mass-produced product trying too hard to mimic the homemade richness of a better sauce. Regardless, the final taste left her wondering what could’ve been.

3. Mezzetta: A Slightly Flat Experience

Mezzetta was another sauce that came with oil sitting at the top, but this time, Catherine was left questioning whether the oil was really olive oil. It had no flavor—definitely not the bold taste she was hoping for. The texture of the sauce was smooth enough, and it had a decent level of acidity, but the overall flavor was flat. Despite the good mouthfeel, the sauce just didn’t pack the punch that a great marinara should, and it ultimately fell short.

2. Carbone: A Sauce That Lives Up to Its Name

Carbone was the sauce that surprised Catherine in a good way. When she saw the oil pooling at the top, she immediately braced herself for another letdown. But this one stood out. There was a noticeable texture with pieces of onion and garlic, giving it a certain richness and depth. Though the oil didn’t taste like true olive oil, the sauce still performed well when mixed with pasta. It wasn’t perfect, but it made a solid case for being one of the top contenders in this lineup. Names aren’t always everything, but Carbone proves that sometimes they are.

1. Rao’s: The Reigning Champion

And then there was Rao’s. From the very first whiff, Catherine knew this was something special. The fragrant aroma was exactly what she was hoping for—fresh basil, garlic, and just the right balance of acidity. The sauce had the perfect viscosity, not too thick but certainly substantial enough to coat pasta well. Even the salt level was spot on, which is impressive considering how salty pasta water and cheese can be. The best part? It felt like something Catherine could make at home, but with the convenience of not having to spend hours in the kitchen. Rao’s has firmly earned its place as the gold standard in store-bought marinara sauces, and she’d have no hesitation reaching for it when she's in need of a shortcut.