Cheese Sauce Keto: Is Ragu's Cheese Sauce Keto-Friendly?

Ragu is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to vegetables. But is it keto-friendly? The answer is yes, with some modifications. A traditional ragu sauce typically contains tomatoes, meat, and vegetables like carrots and celery. By substituting some of the ingredients with lower-carb options and being mindful of portion sizes, it is possible to create a keto-friendly ragu sauce. For example, one recipe suggests using ground beef or pork instead of high-fat mince and adding vegetables like zucchini or celery in small quantities. Additionally, the type of noodles or pasta accompaniment can be crucial in keeping the dish keto-friendly. Keto-friendly pasta alternatives, such as zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles, are recommended to keep the carb count low.

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce is keto-friendly

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce is a keto-friendly option for those following a ketogenic diet. With only 8g of net carbs per 1/2 cup serving, it can be a great choice for people looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake.

Ingredients

The Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce includes the following ingredients:

• Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Onions
• Carrots
• Dehydrated onions
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Spices

Comparison to Other Keto-Friendly Pasta Sauces

In a taste test of four keto-friendly pasta sauces, Ragu Simply came in second place, receiving two out of six votes. While it had the highest carb count among the sauces tested, it was still considered a good option by the tasters.

Serving Suggestions

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce can be used as a versatile base for various keto-friendly dishes. Here are some suggestions:

• Keto Spaghetti Bolognese: Pair the sauce with keto-friendly spaghetti alternatives, such as zucchini noodles or Shirataki noodles, and add ground beef or sausage for a hearty meal.
• Stuffed Vegetables: Use the sauce to stuff vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, or zucchini. This makes for a tasty and nutritious option.
• Keto Lasagna: Layer the sauce with keto-friendly lasagna sheets, ground beef or sausage, and cheese for a delicious and satisfying dish.

Storage

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life. It is recommended to use Mason jars or similar glass containers for storage. When stored properly, the sauce can last for several days in the refrigerator and up to six months or longer in the freezer.

Customization

While Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce is already keto-friendly, you can further customize it to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs:

• Spiciness: Add chili flakes or cayenne pepper to give the sauce an extra kick.
• Creaminess: For a creamier sauce, consider adding heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, cream, or crème fraîche.
• Vegetables: If you're looking to increase your vegetable intake, feel free to add chopped zucchini, mushrooms, or other low-carb vegetables to the sauce.

Remember to calculate your macros based on the ingredients you use to ensure they align with your keto diet goals.

Keto-friendly pasta alternatives

If you're craving a big bowl of spaghetti but want to keep it keto-friendly, there are plenty of low-carb pasta alternatives to choose from. Here are some options to satisfy your pasta cravings while sticking to your keto diet:

Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles, also known as "zoodles," are a popular low-carb pasta alternative. They can be pan-fried or baked and served with your favorite sauce. Zucchini noodles work well in dishes such as Alfredo, Cajun shrimp pasta, and spaghetti and meatballs.

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is a natural low-carb pasta substitute. Its stringy flesh resembles spaghetti, and it's a filling and nutritious option. Spaghetti squash can be roasted, and it pairs well with various sauces, such as carbonara or pad Thai.

Shirataki Noodles

Shirataki noodles are Japanese-style noodles made from konjac yam fiber and water. They are almost zero calories and carbs and have a texture similar to tofu. Shirataki noodles go well with ramen, carbonara, and lemon chicken soup.

Cucumber Noodles

Cucumber noodles are fresh and light and don't require any cooking. They are perfect for Asian-style dishes such as tahini sauce or Korean bibimbap.

Kelp Noodles

Kelp noodles are made from brown kelp and are low in calories and carbs. They can be added to stir-fries or your favorite sauce. Kelp noodles work well in dishes like sesame kelp noodle stir-fry or Japanese kani salad.

Eggplant Noodles

Eggplant noodles are great for lasagna or manicotti. They can be a bit mushy, so it's best to use a mandoline slicer to get even slices.

Kohlrabi Noodles

Kohlrabi is a type of turnip that can be peeled and sliced into noodle shapes. It's crunchy and tastes similar to celery. Kohlrabi noodles can be eaten raw or cooked and used in salads or stir-fries.

Celeriac Noodles

Celeriac noodles are made from celeriac, a root vegetable similar to celery. They have a crunchy texture and a mild celery flavor. Try them in alfredo sauce or with artichoke hearts and eggs.

Cabbage Noodles

Cabbage can be cut into long strips and used as a low-carb noodle alternative. Caramelizing it first gives it a delicious flavor. Cabbage noodles work well in goulash, egg roll bowls, and stir-fries.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used as a keto pasta substitute. It has a neutral flavor and pairs well with sauces, such as mac and cheese or chicken cordon bleu casserole.

Homemade Keto Noodles

You can also make your own keto-friendly noodles using low-carb ingredients like almond or coconut flour. While it's challenging to get the same texture as wheat pasta, these noodles can still be twirled and enjoyed with sauce.

Store-Bought Low-Carb Pasta

Some store-bought options for low-carb pasta include LC Foods Low Carb Fettuccine (3 grams net carbs), Palmini Linguine (4 grams carbs per serving), and Wonder Noodles (0 calories and 0 grams net carbs).

Keto-friendly recipes using Ragu cheese sauce

Ragu cheese sauce is keto-friendly and can be used in many keto recipes. Here are some delicious keto-friendly recipes using Ragu cheese sauce:

• Keto Spaghetti Bolognese: This classic dish combines the heartiness of spaghetti with the richness of Ragu cheese sauce. Simply prepare your favourite keto-friendly spaghetti, such as zucchini noodles or low-carb pasta, and top it with the Ragu sauce. For an extra indulgent touch, add some grated Parmesan cheese on top.
• Keto Stuffed Vegetables: Ragu cheese sauce is perfect for stuffing vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant. Simply halve or hollow out your chosen vegetables, fill them with the sauce, and bake in the oven until tender. This is a great way to add more veggies to your keto diet.
• Keto Lasagna: Create a delicious keto-friendly lasagna by layering Ragu cheese sauce with thin slices of zucchini or eggplant instead of traditional lasagna noodles. Add ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce for a heartier dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake until bubbly.
• Keto Chicken Parmesan: Bread chicken breasts with a mixture of almond flour and Parmesan cheese, then fry until golden. Place the fried chicken in a baking dish, cover with Ragu cheese sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and enjoy this comforting keto-friendly dish.
• Keto Pizza: Use Ragu cheese sauce as a base for your keto pizza! Simply spread the sauce over a keto-friendly pizza crust, such as a cauliflower or almond flour base. Top with your favourite low-carb ingredients like mushrooms, peppers, or pepperoni, and bake until the crust is crispy.

Nutritional information for Ragu cheese sauce

Ragu's Double Cheddar Sauce is a cheese sauce made with real cheddar, parmesan, and romano cheese. It is designed to be used with pasta to make macaroni and cheese, or as a dip for vegetables and meats.

Nutritional Information

A 1/2 cup serving of Ragu cheese sauce contains:

• 8g of fat
• 8g of net carbs
• 2g of protein

The total carbohydrate content is 3g, including 0g of added sugars. The sauce also contains 3g of saturated fat.

The ingredients in Ragu cheese sauce are as follows:

> WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, CHEDDAR CHEESE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, ENZYME MODIFIED EGG YOLK, WHEY, CHEDDAR CHEESE, SALT, PARMESAN CHEESE, ROMANO CHEESE MADE FROM COW'S, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SKIM MILK, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, YEAST EXTRACT, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, PAPRIKA (COLOR), ANNATTO (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN.

Ragu cheese sauce ingredients

Ragu Double Cheddar Cheese Sauce is made with a blend of real cheeses, including Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano, to create a rich and savoury flavour. The sauce also contains the following ingredients:

• Water
• Soybean oil
• Modified food starch
• Enzyme-modified egg yolk
• Whey
• Salt
• Skim milk
• Xanthan gum
• Sodium phosphate
• Natural flavour
• Yeast extract
• Whey protein concentrate
• Paprika (colour)
• Annatto (colour)
• Soy lecithin

The sauce is perfect for creating a variety of dishes, including mac and cheese, nacho cheese dip, fondue, Philly cheesesteaks, and casseroles. It can also be used as a drizzle over vegetables or as a dipping sauce for appetizers.

Frequently asked questions