Pregos Spaghetti Sauce: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

Prego is a well-known brand of pasta sauce, and its Traditional No Sugar Added Pasta Sauce is a popular option for those following a keto diet. With no added sugar and a thick texture, this sauce is a versatile choice for spaghetti, manicotti, lasagna, and more. However, is it truly keto-friendly?

When it comes to spaghetti sauce, the keto diet requires consideration of not only the sugar content but also the carbohydrate count. While Prego's No Sugar Added sauce eliminates the issue of added sugars, it's important to examine its nutritional information to determine its suitability for a keto lifestyle.

A closer look at the nutritional label reveals that a 1/2 cup serving of Prego's No Sugar Added sauce contains 9 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of sugar. This information is crucial in determining whether it aligns with the typical macronutrient distribution of the keto diet, which emphasizes high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake.

So, is Prego spaghetti sauce keto? The answer depends on how strictly one adheres to the keto diet and how this product fits into their overall daily macronutrient intake. While it may be a better option than sauces with added sugars, those following a strict keto diet may find that the carbohydrate count in Prego's No Sugar Added sauce is still higher than their desired limit.

Prego's No Sugar Added Sauce

The sauce features the rich, sweet taste of vine-ripened tomatoes balanced with flavorful herbs and seasonings. It is also gluten-free and vegan, containing no artificial colours or added MSG. The sauce has a thick texture that doesn't water out, making it a perfect pairing with any pasta.

The sauce is versatile and can be used as a spaghetti sauce, bolognese sauce, or as a base for other recipes. It can be purchased online, with a case of six 23.5-ounce jars costing around $15.

Some customers have reported that the bottles arrived broken, creating a mess. However, overall, customers seem to like the taste of the sauce and appreciate its sugar content, especially those looking to cut down on sugar or follow a keto diet.

Keto-friendly pasta sauces

Prego's Traditional No Sugar Added Sauce is a keto-friendly option for those who want to keep their sugar intake in check without breaking the bank. It has 9 grams of carbs and 6 grams of sugar per 1/2 cup serving.

If you're looking for more keto-friendly pasta sauce options, here are some great choices:

Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce

This sauce has a strong following, with three out of six votes in a taste test. It is well-balanced, made with all the right ingredients, and has only 4 grams of net carbs per 1/2 cup serving. Rao's also sells a variety of sauces, including marinara, vodka, alfredo, and pizza sauce.

Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce

This sauce contains 4 grams of net carbs and 4.5 grams of fat per 1/2 cup serving. However, it received mostly negative reviews, with most testers describing it as tasting like salt-less seafood. Nevertheless, it has many positive reviews on Amazon, so it may be worth trying.

Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce

While this sauce only received one vote in the taste test, it is still a good option for those looking for a keto-friendly sauce. It has 5 grams of net carbs and 1.5 grams of fat per 1/2 cup serving.

Homemade Keto Spaghetti Sauce

If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own keto-friendly spaghetti sauce at home. This allows you to control the ingredients and keep the carb count low. You can use whole peeled tomatoes, salt pork or bacon, ground beef or Italian sausage, olive oil, onion, garlic, a sweetener, and fresh or dried basil and oregano. This sauce can be served with zucchini noodles, roasted spaghetti squash, shirataki noodles, or keto meatballs.

Other Options

Other keto-friendly pasta sauce brands include Barilla Premium Marinara Sauce, 365 Organic Marinara Pasta Sauce, Primal Kitchen Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce, Victoria Marinara Sauce, Thrive Market Organic Marinara Sauce, Cucina Moderna Robust Marinara, Hoboken Farms Gourmet Marinara Sauce, and Italo's Gourmet pasta sauce.

Prego's ingredients

Prego's pasta sauces are made from a variety of ingredients, including tomato paste, water, diced tomatoes, sugar, dehydrated garlic, canola oil, salt, onion powder, spices, sea salt, and parsley flakes. The combination of these ingredients gives Prego its bold flavour and thick consistency.

The tomato paste and diced tomatoes are key to the sauce's taste, as Prego uses vine-ripened tomatoes to create a sweet tomato base. This is complemented by the addition of Italian seasonings, garlic, and onion, resulting in a classic homemade flavour.

Prego also offers a range of other ingredients in their different sauces, such as three cheese pasta sauce, spicy marinara sauce, and homestyle Alfredo sauce. The three cheese sauce includes a mix of cheeses to create a creamy texture and add depth to the flavour profile. The spicy marinara sauce, on the other hand, incorporates various spices to give it a kick, while the homestyle Alfredo sauce has a cheesy, creamy taste.

While the specific quantities of each ingredient may vary, Prego ensures that every batch is adjusted with high-quality ingredients to maintain its consistent taste and thick texture. The brand is known for its attention to detail and focus on creating a delicious, versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Prego's customer reviews

Prego's range of pasta sauces has received generally positive reviews from customers. The Traditional Pasta Sauce, for instance, has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 76% of reviewers giving it a full 5 stars. Customers have praised the product for its value for money, taste, and thick consistency. One reviewer notes that it is "not watery" and has a "good quality taste for the price." Another reviewer writes that it is their "favorite of all the comparable brands" they have tried, praising its blend of spices and the way it adheres to pasta.

Prego's Farmer's Market Classic Marinara Sauce has also been well-received, with one customer on Reddit noting that it has a "rustic quality" and is "tasty" while being relatively low in carbs, with 5 grams of net carbs per half-cup serving.

Prego's No Sugar Added Traditional Sauce has been highlighted by one source as a good option for those on a keto diet, as it does not contain any added sweeteners.

Overall, Prego's pasta sauces seem to be well-regarded by customers, with positive comments about their flavor, consistency, and value for money.

Making your own keto-friendly sauce

Many store-bought pasta sauces contain added sugars, which can be problematic for those following a keto diet. Luckily, it's easy to make your own keto-friendly pasta sauce at home. Here are some tips and recipes to help you get started:

Tips for making keto-friendly pasta sauce:

• Use whole peeled tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, or tomato sauce. Whole peeled tomatoes have a lower carb count and will keep the net carbs for your sauce under 10 grams.
• Consider adding salt pork, bacon, or pancetta to your sauce for extra flavor. These ingredients are traditional in pasta sauce and can be purchased at most large grocery stores.
• If you want a meat sauce, use ground beef, Italian sausage, or ground turkey. You can also leave the meat out entirely for a vegetarian option.
• Other ingredients you may want to include are olive oil, onion, fresh garlic, a sugar-free sweetener, fresh or dried basil, and dried oregano.
• For an extra kick, add some red pepper flakes.
• If you prefer a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the tomatoes before adding them to the sauce.
• Simmer your sauce for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
• Keto-friendly pasta sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keto-friendly pasta sauce recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 ounces salt pork, diced (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef (or Italian sausage, ground turkey, or no meat)
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 56 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon sugar-free granulated sweetener
• Big pinch of dried oregano
• 6 leaves fresh basil, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

Instructions:

• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat.
• Add the salt pork and cook until the fat is rendered. Remove the salt pork from the pan and discard, reserving the oil.
• Add the onion and garlic to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 5-8 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and cook until the meat is crumbled and no longer pink.
• If you want a smooth sauce, puree the tomatoes before adding them to the pot.
• Pour the tomatoes into the pot and stir.
• Season with salt, pepper, sweetener, oregano, and basil (if using dried).
• Cover and let the sauce simmer for at least an hour.
• Top with fresh basil (if using) and serve.

Frequently asked questions