Bottled pasta sauces are handy for a quick meal. The Simply Her team had a carb-filled lunch to find the tastiest ones.
*All these pasta sauces are available at major supermarkets.
This story was first published in Simply Her October 2015.
$6.80 a jar (350g)
The vegetarian answer to a rose sauce. We all love a good tomato cream. The tofu bits add a creamy texture to the otherwise acidic tomato base. Packed with flavour, this alternative version of your average pasta sauce is a must-try.
Score: 7.5/10
$7.95 a jar (375g)
It can seem a little pricey but Spiral Foods has been in the industry for 40 years. So you have to trust them when they say that their products are made out of organic, fresh and traditional ingredients. It’s really nothing too complicated; it’s a tomato base with basil and other herbs for flavour. As simple as that.
Score: 8/10
$5.50 a jar (350g)
Testers liked its lovely red hue and how its smooth texture coated the pasta evenly and easily. But some did not fancy the distinctive tang of herbs that overpowered the other flavours in the sauce.
Score: 6.5/10
$5.35 a jar (680g)
This was pretty tangy, which most of us liked. But it also bore a heavy herb taste, which could have been balanced with a stronger tomato flavour.
Score: 6.5/10
$4.94 a jar (500g)
Although the onions added sweetness, it’s a pity this wasn’t complemented by a richer tomato flavour that would have given the sauce more depth.
Score: 6.5/10
$5.25 a jar (680g)
The fresh sweetness of this sauce appealed to those testers who like their pasta light, but not to the others who prefer their sauces to be more robust.
Score: 7/10
$4.95 a jar (400g)
Sweet with a slight tang, the sauce was well balanced, with a thick, robust texture. Chunky bits of vegetables – tomatoes, onions and carrots – added a nice bite to the pasta.
Score: 8.5/10