Does Trader Joe's have a good jarred spaghetti sauce?

Question

Let me start off by saying I usually make my own spaghetti and marinara sauces. But sometimes time is a real crunch for me and on those days a jarred sauce comes in really handy. I like Rao's and Victoria's and buy it when it's on sale.

I went to TJ's the other day and bought a few different varieties because it was quite cheap. Didn't like two of them - both too sweet for my palate. Reluctant to even open the third one.

What do you think of TJ's sauces? Thanks.

Answer

I like the Organic Tomato Basil. I like sweet, so our palate differs. I just bought a new one that was in the flyer, but have not tried it yet.

Answer

I find them a bit sweet but I will make a base of tomatoes, garlic, onions and any other vegetables I think would be suitable. Then I sauté them and add a couple of table spoons of the jarred sauce & water. It only takes about 25 mins for me. I also like the house brand for WF. I think it's only $3

Answer

Arabiata!

Answer

Thanks for the tips everyone. RIght now I have a jar of Bolognese in the cupboard. Next time I'm at TJ's I'll try the Organic Tomato Basil.

Answer

first of all.
if you still have the jars, bring them back to TJs with you the next time you go and they will give you 100% refund on them.

the only TJ sauce i like is one that i doctor.

here is the recipe:
saute briefly in good quality olive oil 4 large cloves of garlic sliced.
add a "green" can of tj's marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

fwiw, most canned/jarred sauces taste lousy because garlic changes flavor when it is heated to the high heat necessary for processing. the only way around it, imho, is to saute the fresh garlic yourself and combine it with a brand of purchased sauce that contains very little garlic like the "green can" brand of tj's.

Answer

For the price, I like them. But, I agree, better doctored.

Answer

It's not in a jar but a large can! It's the Low Fat Tuscano Marinara Sauce. It tastes fresh and I don't add anything to it. I prefer it over any other sauce out of a jar or sometimes to my scratch sauce.

Answer

hi, you know i buy the EXACT same sauces as you. either Rao's or Victoria's if i end up at costco so i understand the flavor profile you're after. so that said, no there isn't something comparable to those two sauces at TJ's. you have to go back to that sweet ragu like taste. the organic sauce is ok, but you'll need to add salt. 

people always say, you should just make your own but when you dash home and you have 20 minutes to make dinner a jarred sauce works perfectly. i have made my own with canned san marzano tomatoes and something is always off. it tastes too raw. i do like the marcella hazan butter tomato sauce. it takes 45 minutes but i once made it ahead of time and jarred it in a mason jar to use later. 

oh, and as cheesy oysters mentions the canned sauce is ok. not bad but i've been trying to avoid canned foods so i don't buy that but it may work for you.

Answer

Trader Giotto's Traditional marinara is delish. Not too sweet at all. I just made Mushroom Parmesan with it and it was amazing.

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Does Trader Joe's have a good jarred spaghetti sauce?

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