When I do buy a jarred sauce, I pour it into a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a paper towel and microwave on HIGH for 8-10 minutes. It seems to make every sauce thicker and richer.

I usually make my own, but I'll often go jarred for making things like eggplant Parmesan or lasagne, and for that, I'm a big fan of Prego and Francisco Rinaldi (as he got older, he got better!)

If I'm using store bought, I'm super picky because it's so hard to find a jar that doesn't contain SUGAR. Eiw! Why does everything in our diets need to have sugar added? No wonder we have all the weight related illnesses in our country. By and by, Whole Foods 365 brand is the best store bought sauce for a great price, and natural to boot!

I really like the Whole Foods 365 line of sauces. I usually keep a jar of the roasted garlic flavor on my shelf for last minute dinners.

I'm a lucky Northeaster who shops at Wegman's. It's a trade off, though, because we don't have a Whole Foods nearby. Their own line of Italian Classics is pretty good for those true 5 minute (okay 15 minute) meals. We get a bag or two of their Portabello Ravioli, a bag of baby spinach, and a jar of the Grandma's Pomodoro sauce, and it's a satisfying meal after a long day. No, it's not anywhere close to a pot of sauce simmered on the stove for the afternoon, but it does in a pinch.

We buy Victoria's Tomato Basil sauce. Not only is it the best jarred sauce I've ever tasted, but there is no added sugar!

Rao's tomato marinara sauce is my fav!

when I buy sauce, it's usually vodka sauce. I really like it but can't can it myself.

@Lynell A lot of tomato sauces, homemade and otherwise typically contain sugar to cut the acidity of the tomatoes. Of course, supermarket tomato sauce might contain more than your average homemade version, but still!

There is one sauce it might be called Mom's with lots of giant chunks of tomato that I like. I keep a jar around for emergencies.

@keeperrox I love Wegman's, you are lucky! We almost considered staying in Syracuse just because they have Wegmans. Alas the closest one to us now is 70 miles away, so sad.

I like a chunky sauce and it's hard to find a good supermarket chunky one. I guess Newman's own is pretty good.

I like Newman's Own organic marinara. I use it in pasta dishes or for dipping garlic cheese bread in. Plus, Newman's Own is the boy's favorite brand and their organic marinara is pretty good. And I don't think they add any sugar. And it's nice and chunky. I like chunks. People who serve spaghetti with watery pureed sauce are nuts.

I like Whole Foods Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce!

I vote for Raos tomato marinara as well. I always keep a jar in my pantry for emergency dinners.

I use Mario Batalli's marinara in a pinch--it's a great buy at Costco (half the price of regular stores) and is quite tasty, especially with the addition of a good quantity of red pepper flakes.

Years ago, in a pinch, I used to buy Classico Marinara. I found Prego to be way too sweet. I no longer buy jarred sauce. Ever.

It takes less than 30 minutes to make a fresh marinara using crushed Italian tomatoes, fresh basil, onion, garlic and oil. That's what I do. What's the big deal?

Not to mention the savings. And, no glass jars to recycle.

I will make a big batch of sauce and freeze it in 2 c. portions, heating it up in the microwave or stove top.

Honestly, who can't find the time to do that?

Ever since I bought a can of 6 In 1 crushed tomatoes about 18 mos ago I use nothing else. Best crushed tomatoes for the price I have found. Add whatever else you want, heat and serve. It makes a great pizza sauce as well

I love the Amy's brand - good to see it ranks up there on both the health and flavor scales. The ingredients are straightforward and organic :)

Alessio - it's slightly expensive but tastes almost exactly like the sauce my grandfathered made for his tomato pie....i miss that tomato pie

It's interesting that so many people commented on the sugar content but no one seemed to notice how sodium packed packaged spaghetti sauce is! Because my husband is on a sodium restricted diet we very rarely buy sauce.

I too am a chunky sauce fan, and haven't found any jarred sauces that live up to my expectations. My dad always made his from scratch, and ever since an au pair put carrots in, I need the little crunch of carrots (and tomato chunks, and zucchini bits, and meat bits, and pieces of onion... etc. etc.) to make it really taste like tomato sauce to me. It doesn't take long and is so flexible that it seems silly to buy something that I don't really like. The jarred ones just tend to have a funky flavor too, but I do want to try the Whole Foods 365 one sometime.

Only two taste good, Raos and Mario Batali are both excellent (and priced like it). And no junk.

We try others sometime and they all are horrible.

Raos all the way! Such a great staple to have in the pantry for quick easy dinners.

I am fond of Trader Joe's marinara. Very tasty and even better after I add mushrooms and vegetables.