9 Grocery Store Pasta Sauces That Taste Homemade

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Pasta is nothing without a good sauce. I mean, nobody wants to dive into a bowl of dry noodles, right? While making your own sauce is generally considered the best way to achieve top-notch pasta results, store-bought sauces are there when you don't have time or simply want to make things easier on yourself. But we've all opened up a jar of grocery store pasta sauce only to be let down by the overall quality, texture, or lack of authentic flavor. It doesn't have to be that way, though. In fact, there are quite a few store-bought pasta sauces that are so tasty you would swear they were homemade.

I sifted through countless food reviews and tapped into my personal experience tasting an abundance of grocery store pasta sauces and came up with a list of nine stellar options that boast the homemade flavors we're all looking for. I also bought and tasted them all so I'd be able to divulge what exactly makes them stand out. These sauces may be a bit pricier than something boring like Prego, but oh man, are they worth it. So, if you want to say goodbye to lackluster flavor and the need to upgrade store-bought pasta sauces, this is the list for you.

Whether you call it red gravy (like we do in my home), pizza sauce, or marinara, there's no denying that it is the ultimate pasta accompaniment. So, there's no better place to start my list than with a tomato sauce. Enter Yo Mama's Foods Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce. It may not be the boldest of the bunch, but there's no denying that it tastes like a homemade recipe.

Yo Mama's Foods Roasted Garlic is a straight-up, no frills sauce, and it only contains a handful of ingredients (nine, to be exact), which is a great indicator of a tasty sauce. It doesn't contain any added sugars and is also branded as a low-sodium, keto-friendly option. Whether these traits speak to you or not, its tastiness lies in its simplicity. I detected nothing but bright, fresh flavors throughout. And since this is the roasted garlic version — Yo Mama's has several other tomato sauce options — naturally there was plenty of tasty garlic flavor here, too. Yum!

It's flavor you pay a premium for, though — Yo Mama's Foods' sauces are pretty pricey. Depending on where you shop, it might even be the most expensive sauce on this list. On my quest to buy pasta sauce, I went to several grocery stores, and it cost anywhere from $8.99 to $12.99 per 28-ounce jar. Even so, the fresh, simple flavor speaks for itself — if you want to cut back on your sugar and salt intake, even better.

When it comes to ranking store-bought alfredo sauces, Rao's Homemade Alfredo is second-to-none. Creamy, rich, and smooth, this sauce has got it all. In fact, it's one of the sauces that will have you wondering whether it's even worth making alfredo from scratch. (It is, but still.) I couldn't ask for more, and I seriously doubt I could make something better. I wouldn't even blink if I was served it in a restaurant — it's got homemade flavor days.

What I like most about Rao's Homemade Alfredo is its bold garlic and pepper flavor, but behind that is a pleasing saltiness that can only be achieved through the use of top-quality cheese. Unlike some lesser grocery store alfredo sauces, there's nothing bland about Rao's. The creamy mouthfeel and overall texture certainly take it far as well. It's thin enough to cling to noodles, but not so thin that it turns into a watery mess on the bottom of your bowl or plate. Make sure to grab some bread for mopping. The price tag for Rao's Homemade Alfredo looks a little friendlier — a jar costs between $6 and $8 depending where you shop — but that's for a 15-ounce jar.

One taste of Mezzetta Family Recipes Spicy Marinara Sauce and it was instantly a new favorite. Not only does it taste homemade, but it also blew me away with its perfect balance of layered flavors. It's bright, fresh, and overflowing with garlic and basil, all things I love. I also detected a nice sweetness despite the fact that it doesn't contain any added sugar. I credit the San Marzano tomatoes. Plus, since I opted for the spicy version, it had a nice kick, akin to a homemade arrabiata sauce. If spicy isn't your thing, don't worry — Mezzetta makes several versions of its sauce, and you're sure to find one that aligns with your preferences.

In addition to flavor, Mezzetta Family Recipes Spicy Marinara Sauce's texture really boosts the overall homemade appeal. It's not super smooth or overly rustic, which suggests this jarred sauce was given then time and attention it deserved. Actually, it's like someone's nonna smashed up a bunch of tomatoes, and I, for one, am here for it. To top it all off, Mezzetta Family Recipes Sauce won't break the bank — a 25-ounce jar should run you about $6.

When it comes to the tastiest store-bought pesto, Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto takes the crown. Sure, you need a Costco membership to buy it (or at least a friend with access), but let me tell you: The pesto alone might be worth getting one. I frequently joke that it is the only reason for my membership. The flavors taste like they are fresh from mortar and pestle, and there's nothing dark or heavy about them. Actually, it's the opposite. The basil tastes fresh and light, and the use of both Parmesan and Romano cheeses shines through in the flavor. There's plenty of garlic as well, which is never unwelcome.

You'll pay a little more than $10 for a 22-ounce jar of this pesto. That's a little heavy by Costco standards, but the fresh ingredients and bold flavor emanating from this jar make the cost more than worth it. Plus, pesto goes a long way — this jar could certainly end up lasting you quite awhile. That said, if you're worried about not being able to finish off the jar before it goes bad, just freeze it.

When poring over online reviews, it seems like the entire internet is raving about Rao's Homemade Marinara, and I have to say, the praise is much deserved. The first time I bought this sauce, I immediately fell in love with its uber-bright and fresh taste. Since then, I have become a repeat customer. The balance of flavors is spectacular. It has a nice acidic edge backed up by a hint of sweetness, and all of the elements are rich enough to make you wonder how Rao's does it. It truly tastes like someone's homemade recipe.

As is the case with many of the sauces on this list, Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce doesn't contain very many ingredients. It's simple, but there's nothing basic about the flavor. A 15.5-ounce jar costs about $8 or $9 depending on where you shop, which is a pretty penny for a (relatively) smaller jar, but you really do get what you pay for here. Two separate entries on this list says everything you need to know about Rao's — this brand's got the goods. This certainly isn't the only grocery store sauce with homemade flavor, but it's easily one of the best.

Not all grocery store alfredo sauces measure up. Actually, some of them are quite bad, so finding one with a homemade flavor isn't so straightforward. That's okay, though, because you only need one or two really good ones, and Carbone Garlic Alfredo Sauce is a shoo-in. A 15-ounce jar costs between $8 and $10, so it's far from the least expensive option on store shelves, but you'd be wise to fork out a couple of extra bucks for it.

Carbone makes several versions of its alfredo sauce. I went for the garlic one, and it did not disappoint. The allium was front and center, and the rich, creamy flavors underneath hit the spot. I detected everything from white pepper to Romano to Parmesan, and they all came together beautifully. The texture was nothing to scoff at either. It struck the perfect balance between thick and thin. Noodles, watch out — this sauce will cling to each and every one like there's no tomorrow. Similar to Rao's Alfredo, which we discussed earlier, I doubt I could make a better sauce myself. I could learn, but why bother when Carbone's is so easy to pick up? There are plenty of ways to upgrade store-bought alfredo sauce, but with this Carbone version, you won't have to. It comes out of the jar darn near perfect.

Everything about Michael's of Brooklyn Marinara Sauce screams homemade recipe. Even the label looks a bit like it came straight from your grandma's printer (if she's got one). Fortunately, it wasn't all aesthetics — upon tasting, it was clear that the sauce's homemade flavor matched its humble-yet-brilliant packaging. You'll only find a handful of ingredients listed on the label, but every one is perfectly balanced to bring you all the fresh flavor you could want from any tomato sauce, let alone one from a jar. It's rife with savory herbs, and there's garlic to spare. Actually, I had to look at the jar to make sure I didn't opt for a garlic recipe. (I didn't, but it sure tasted like I had.) That's not a complaint, either — I loved the garlic-forward approach. Vampires, on the other hand, should beware.

You can buy Michael's of Brooklyn Marinara Sauce for anywhere from $8.49 to $11, but the jar contains 32 ounces of sauce, so it's pretty good bang for your buck. Personally, I love the oversized jar because I'm a saucy girl, and often a single jar won't suffice for an entire box of pasta. This one will go the extra mile, though. The texture is nice and chunky, too, so this sauce won't form a frustrating pool beneath your pasta.

We already talked about my all-time favorite basil pesto from Kirkland Signature, but let's face it: Not everyone has a Costco membership. Even if you do, sometimes a run-of-the-mill grocery store suits your needs better. Either way, Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto is ready to fill in the gaps. It boasts a yummy taste that can only be described as homemade. Actually, it's incredibly similar to Kirkland Signature, but with a slightly smoother texture. All of the same bright, fresh basil flavors are there. It's got plenty of Parmesan cheese and garlic as well.

Regrettably, when compared to Kirkland Signature, Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto is fairly pricey. A 6.2-ounce jar costs anywhere from $5 to $10. That's quite a wide range, but I'd say it's worth it if you consider that it's vastly superior to other grocery store options. I've definitely tried more than my fair share, and it's the only one outside of Costco's that I can truly recommend. Admittedly, I like my pesto bright in color and with a slightly creamy taste, which this one has in spades, but means it's not the most rustic version available. That said, if you're after fresh flavors, it's way ahead of the game.

Just like its alfredo, Carbone's marinara sauce tastes nothing short of spectacular. All the flavors you could want from a classic marinara are present and expertly balanced. Plus, it only costs about $7 to $8 for a 24-ounce jar, so it's certainly worth the price if you value an authentic-tasting recipe.

Unlike some of the other tomato sauces on this list, Carbone Marinara doesn't have the brightest flavor profile. Instead, it is deep and rich, and I really appreciated that. The color is much darker, too, so it looks just as rich as it tastes. This may lead you to believe that the flavor wouldn't be so fresh, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Nicely done, Carbone.

Similar to Mezzetta, the texture of Carbone Marinara Sauce further amplifies its homemade appeal. The tomatoes were crushed just right, bridging the gap between smooth and rustic. Basically, there's no way it was not made from fresh tomatoes, and the tasty little tomato chunks are proof of that. All things considered, if Carbone wasn't on your radar before, it definitely should be now.

In an effort to determine which grocery store pasta sauces taste homemade, I scoured online reviews and food blogs to find out which brands people are raving about. I also considered all of the jarred pasta sauces I've tried over the years, of which there are many. Altogether, this gave me a list of nine pasta sauces boasting fresh, bright flavors that easily rival a homemade recipe. Then, I bought and tasted them all so I could give you a first-hand account of each.

Thankfully, my research and experience served me well, because none of the sauces I sampled let me down. Actually, every one of the sauces was downright delicious, proving that one of the best ways to liven up spaghetti – or any other kind of pasta dish — is with a top-tier sauce. The jars above provide homemade flavor without the hassle.