Most Processed Pasta Sauce Brands
Pasta sauce ranges from simple crushed tomatoes with garlic and olive oil (Level 1-2) to industrial formulations with sugar, soybean oil, modified food starch, and "natural flavors." The key differentiator is whether flavor comes from quality tomatoes and real ingredients or from sugar and additives.
Pasta Sauce at a Glance
15 Most Processed Pasta Sauce Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thirteen sauce co. | 3 | 13.7 3.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Trio | 3 | 11.9 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Kowalskis markets | 4 | 11.9 4.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 4 | Heritage family foods | 3 | 11.4 2.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Dierbergs kitchen | 3 | 10.6 5.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Old el paso | 6 | 9.9 4.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Fresh food market | 3 | 9.5 2.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | Walden farms | 7 | 9.5 3.6 | 7 | 0 |
| 9 | Hellmanns | 3 | 9.4 1.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | Noble romans | 3 | 9.3 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 11 | Chefs essence | 3 | 8.8 2.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | Minors | 15 | 8.8 4.3 | 8 | 0 |
| 13 | Private selection | 41 | 8.8 3.0 | 22 | 0 |
| 14 | Hormel | 24 | 8.6 4.0 | 8 | 0 |
| 15 | Pasta too | 16 | 8.5 3.2 | 6 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Pasta Sauce Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Pasta Sauce Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Tomatoes should be the first ingredient, not water or tomato paste
- 2Avoid sauces with added sugar, corn syrup, or "natural flavors"
- 3Soybean oil instead of olive oil is a cost-cutting indicator that correlates with more additives
- 4Simple sauces list 5-8 ingredients; processed ones have 15+
Least Processed Pasta Sauce Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glaser organic farms | 3 | 2.0 2.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Pomi | 10 | 2.2 5.1 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Middle earth organics | 6 | 2.5 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Incas food | 4 | 3.0 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Gorji gourmet foods | 6 | 3.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Friedas | 4 | 3.0 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Bertagni | 3 | 3.0 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Gerardos | 6 | 3.0 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Bona furtuna | 8 | 3.0 4.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Freak flag | 8 | 3.0 5.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Villa frizzoni | 9 | 3.1 3.8 | 0 | 6 |
| 12 | Dona isabel | 7 | 3.1 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Primaterra | 4 | 3.3 5.0 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | Don pepino | 10 | 3.3 4.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Terlato kitchen | 6 | 3.3 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cheap pasta sauces score so high?
Budget sauces use tomato paste diluted with water instead of whole tomatoes, add sugar to compensate for flavor, use soybean oil instead of olive oil, and include modified food starch as a thickener.
Are cream-based pasta sauces more processed?
Typically yes. Alfredo and vodka sauces require emulsifiers, stabilizers, and modified starches to maintain consistency in a jar, adding processing indicators beyond the base ingredients.
What about organic pasta sauce?
Organic sauces use organic ingredients but can still contain organic sugar, organic soybean oil, and organic "natural flavors." Check the full ingredient list, not just the organic label.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.