10 Best Pasta Sauces 2024 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed

This is an absolute store-cupboard staple if you love the tangy, flavour of basil-rich, nutty green pesto. And with this top quality recipe, you won't need to add much – so this jar could be used over a few days if kept well refrigerated, or used in other recipes or dressings if you have any left over. 

Sacla is a familiar name on our supermarket shelves because we all love the comforting taste of pesto, and this brand does it so well. Low in sugar, high on flavour, and a fair price tag, too, what's not to love?

Loyd Grossman sauces are a brilliant option if you want something lightning-quick but just a touch classier than your average sauce-in-a-jar. This one's along the lines of an arrabiata sauce, only with a sweeter, lighter flavour, and may even fool your guests into thinking you've made it yourself. 

The sugar content is just slightly higher than is ideally healthy, so keep that in mind if you're calorie-conscious, otherwise, enjoy it as a tasty treat. This jar serves 2 people generously and 3 people just fine. 

For those of us following a plant-based diet, or at least enjoying a vegan feast from time to time, this pesto full of sweet - yet spicy pumpkin, with red pepper and cashew nuts. If you avoid adding dairy or animal products to your pasta dishes, it certainly makes a nice change from tomato!

Wicked Kitchen recommend using this sauce as part of a whole host of pasta recipes, and you can get as creative as you like whether you're vegan or not. This stir-in style sauce is the perfect size for four hungry diners. 

Chuck a few tubs of Sacla's tongue-tingling sauce into your online shopping trolley and you won't be disappointed. For a supermarket sauce, it's pretty close to tasting homemade, and will keep well once opened.

With sweet red pepper, garlic, tomato, and the kick of hot red chillies, this sauce is ideal for adding to the pan when you're pushed for time but want a change from regular pesto. Plus, sugar levels per 100g are well on the healthy side, and the hard cheese used is vegetarian!

This jar of delicious sauce is packed full of flavour, has no added sugars, and makes a yummy dinner for two or three pals. This large jar will last over a couple of days if there's just two of you, or could feed four in an evening. 

Asda's Extra Special range has plenty of good recipe options for something a step above the usual. Whilst this light, aromatic sauce (combining tomato with velvety mascarpone) is delicious, it's worth exploring other flavour combinations from the Extra Special range to add to your quick-supper stash.

For a time-saving supper that's lovingly made using mouthwatering, GMO-free organic ingredients, you could do at lot worse than this textured, flavourful bolognese-style sauce packed with zingy, healthy veg.

This is a brilliant base for either a veggie or mince bolognese, or even a lasagne, and it's simple enough for kids to enjoy too. The nice big 500g jar means that you can comfortably feed your brood, and it's perfect for keeping in-store for a rainy day, but this sauce probably shouldn't be an everyday choice because of its high sugar content. 

For a really unique pasta dinner, try this lovely, tangy sauce flavoured with red onion and gorgonzola cheese. Sacla always create rich, gorgeous flavours, and this works well if you're feeling uninspired but want something comforting.

This sauce is a little different, and exceptionally dense, it is described as serving 2 but its intensity of flavour means it could easily cater for more. It's not as high on our list as some because of its slightly higher sugar content, and the cheese it contains is not veggie-friendly. 

This stir-in pot does contain two servings, but if you are single and fabulous (or just happen to be cooking for yourself tonight) it's a good chooce as it's cheap, cheerful, and petite! 

Dolmio are a trusted name in pasta sauces here in the UK for good reason; flavours are strong and sophisticated but the price tag is fair. This pot might not be able to compete with a traditional, homemade carbonara, but considering the price and prep time, this product results in a filling carbonara with real ham, cream, cheese, and garlic.

Asda's Free From range has a great, satisfying variety of pasta sauces made completely without allergens like gluten. This creamy, sweet pasta sauce is a little higher in sugar than others on the list, but still under the recommended 5g per 100g.

This particular sauce (egg, milk and gluten -free) is intended for a pasta bake, meaning you can pour its rich, zesty loveliness over pre-cooked gluten-free fusilli, cover with a suitable grated cheese of your choice then bake to perfection – surely the ultimate hearty family feast that everyone can enjoy!

This incredibly decadent truffle sauce is a magnificent example of how the simple things in life are very often the best. Though rather on the costly side for its size, this sauce is intensely flavoured so should last longer than most.

It's gluten-free and made from the most luxurious ingredients, so will appeal to those with most dietary needs, and foodies! The sugar content per 100g is low, but you might want to be aware of the fat and salt contents as they are rather high.