This Tomato Sauce Is Even Better Than Rao’s

Sometimes you want something that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day. But you also want something that’s healthy, not to mention delicious enough that everyone is excited to eat it. In my house, the answer is pretty much always spaghetti and meatballs. Now, spaghetti and meatballs can be a less-than-healthy dinner. And it can require many hours of work. But it can also be a wholesome meal that comes together quickly — if you have the right ingredients on hand. That includes a jar of tomato sauce that tastes like homemade and has an ingredient list that would make Mama proud.

Jarred tomato sauce is so easy to mess up. Too often, it’s loaded with sugar, salt, excessive oregano (what’s up with that?) and/or other undesirable elements. I have tried so many of them, whether they’re basic grocery store brands or specialty Italian ones. And so many of them are just… not great.

I’ve long been a fan of Rao’s, which is regarded by many as a superior jarred sauce—with the price point to prove it. It still has a place in my pantry (mostly when it goes on sale) but my new favorite is Yo Mama’s Tomato Bellisima Basil Sauce.

Design by Zoe Burnett

Why Yo Mama’s Tomato Sauce Is the Best Tomato Sauce

Yo Mama’s Tomato Bellisima Basil sauce is made in small batches using California-grown Roma tomatoes. Other ingredients include onions, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and white wine. The wine helps enhance the flavors and also acts as a preservative so they can keep the sodium low. Many tomato sauces will have 400+ mg of sodium per serving; Yo Mama’s has just 125 mg.

While it’s not organic, there are no GMOs, no preservatives, no added sugars, and no gluten. In other words, if it’s not in Mama’s kitchen, it’s not in their sauce. What’s more, the company’s farmer partners participate in regenerative agriculture.

Additionally, Yo Mama’s sauce is keto-friendly and certified paleo by the Paleo Foundation.

Most importantly? My entire family loved this sauce. We were so pleasantly surprised by how fresh all the ingredients tasted! Nothing tastes adulterated or out of balance.

We love it paired with these Gluten-Free Chicken Meatballs. Or try it as the sauce for homemade pizza (we’ve done that, too).