Every Bertolli Pasta Sauce, Ranked Worst To Best
If there's one kind of food that pretty much everyone loves, it's pasta. And while a night out at a fancy Italian restaurant might be more fun than making it at home, that's not always feasible. And honestly, neither is making homemade pasta and homemade sauce for most people. Fortunately, store-bought pasta sauce has come a long way over the years, and there are so many varieties and brands that it takes up entire aisles at the grocery store sometimes.
And there's one brand of store-bought pasta sauce that has both good quality and a good price, and you can find it in just about every grocery store: Bertolli. Bertolli pasta sauce is a staple for many households because it tends to taste great and there are a ton of different varieties and flavors. But because of that, it can be hard to know which Bertolli pasta sauces are the best and which ones are better left on the shelf at the store. So, if you want to know the best of the best, then keep reading for every Bertolli pasta saice, ranked worst to best. Yes, every sauce.
30. Tomato & Basil Sauce
To start things off, the Bertolli Tomato and Basil Sauce isn't disgusting. But, let's face it. As far as jarred pasta sauces go, tomato and basil is a pretty bland flavor combination. Additionally, this sauce doesn't have a ton of texture or complexities going for it.
Just read these reviews of the sauce if you want proof that this is probably Bertolli's worst sauce. "I normally like Bertolli products but I don't care for the Tomato & basil pasta sauce. Just don't have a lot of flavor," one person wrote. "Really don't like this product. Tastes like metal canned tomatoes if that makes sense," another added. Um, gross. Flavorless, metal-tinged tomatoes? No thanks.
29. Organic Fire Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce
Just like many other brands out there, Bertolli offers several organic versions of their pasta sauces in case you prefer to only eat organic. However, a few of their organic sauces are pretty bad, starting with the Organic Fire Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce.
This sauce is definitely not worth the "organic" label and higher price tag that comes with it. "I'm not a picker eater," one review of the sauce began. "This sauce was so bitter and acidic that I spent an hour trying to 'doctor' the sauce by adding a pinch of baking soda, heavy cream, and other ingredients to tame the bitterness." Ew. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of this Bertolli pasta sauce — there are so many better ones out there.
28. D'Italia Creamy Rosa Sauce
In addition to their organic line of products, Bertolli also released their D'Italia line of pasta sauces, which are made in Italy. This change might make you think that the sauces are Bertolli's best, but that couldn't be further from the truth, especially with the D'Italia Creamy Rosa sauce, a pink sauce that just doesn't deliver on flavor among other things.
"Unfortunately neither I nor my family were a fan of this sauce," one reviewer explained. "It felt gritty and it was hard to get past that even after heating it up and putting it on our pasta. I can't exactly pinpoint the taste but it was not good." Between the texture and the odd flavor, this is clearly one of Bertolli's biggest pasta sauce flops.
27. Organic Traditional Tomato & Basil Sauce
For a more traditional pasta sauce, you might turn to Bertolli's Organic Traditional Tomato and Basil Sauce. It sounds like it would be a great option for a ton of different dishes, right? Well, that would be wrong. This is unfortunately one of Bertolli's worst sauces, simply because it lacks in flavor.
But don't just take out word for it — this review doesn't mince words. "This sauce has no tomato or herb flavors. It has the consistency of tomato juice. It also had an indescribable something. Dreadful slop." Yeah, that's not what you want from a pasta sauce, especially an organic one that costs more than other sauces on the shelf.
26. Creamy Basil Alfredo Sauce
Bertolli's Cream Basil Alfredo with Aged Parmesan Cheese Sauce certainly sounds delicious. But with this sauce, the Alfredo flavor is lacking, while the basil is much too strong.
Just look at the reviews. "I've bought Bertolli sauces in the past and this one is by far my least favorite. Tasted like I was chewing on a basil leaf," one person wrote. "I seriously felt like I was eating a basil leaf whole," another added. "The only thing that I would improve on is the flavor and strength of the Alfredo which was a little weak and not as noticeable as it traditionally is," a third review explained. Basically, this sauce won't give you that creamy, traditional alfredo flavor, and can be a bit of a disappointment.
25. Rustic Cut Spicy Marinara with Traditional Vegetables Sauce
Another line of pasta sauces from Bertolli is their Rustic Cut products. These sauces feature larger chunks of tomatoes and other vegetables and are meant to taste more homemade. But do they? Not really. Instead, the chunks of vegetables are kind of overpowering, and the flavor just isn't there.
Seriously, people really aren't fans of this sauce. "This was so chunky, there is no sauce seriously and there was a bitter salty taste to it. I just didn't like it. If it was a cross between this and a traditional jar sauce, then I would probably like it, but this pretty much ruined my dinner," one person wrote. "It took a lot of spices to fix this," another added. Basically, this sauce is pretty bad.
24. Organic Olive Oil, Basil & Garlic Sauce
Bertolli's Organic Olive Oil, Basil & Garlic Sauce certainly seems appealing, but be warned that it is anything but. As delicious as the sauce might sound — olive oil, basil, and garlic are the perfect combination of flavors, after all — the execution of this pasta sauce is just off, and the end result is a huge letdown.
If you wanted a simple, classic, and flavorful sauce, this isn't it. "Opened the jar and met with MEDIOCRE aroma....blah," one review began. "Poured into bowl – WATERY. Very little going on. Sauce disappears on hot pasta...Would never buy this sauce again." Yikes, this sauce clearly isn't high on the rankings of Bertolli pasta sauces, and there are much better options out there for sure.
23. Creamy Alfredo with Cauliflower & Milk Sauce
If you've ever tried to be a little healthier when it comes to what you eat, then you're probably familiar with the concept of using cauliflower as a substitute for all those "unhealthy" carbs like potatoes and rice. And Bertolli seemingly hopped on board with that trend with their Creamy Alfredo with Cauliflower and Milk sauce.
However, the sauce isn't that great. The flavor just isn't very strong, and it still isn't really healthy at all. We just found it kind of lackluster. The fact that they're trying to make it seem healthier with the addition of cauliflower is suspect too. In short, this sauce isn't terrible, but it's also nothing special.
22. Mushroom Alfredo with Portobello Mushroom Sauce
If there's one thing Bertolli likes to do with its sauces, it's experiment. That much is clear. But obviously not every sauce is a winner, and in the same regard, not every sauce is a loser. Some fall int he middle, like their Mushroom Alfredo with Portobello Mushroom Sauce.
Bertolli's Mushroom Alfredo with Portobello Mushroom Sauce is actually pretty good, and if you're a fan of mushrooms, then this sauce cold end up being a new favorite. "Perhaps it is the fact that they use real sherry, cream and butter...........but in any event, I was completely impressed with the balance of flavors, not to mention the size of the mushrooms!!" one review explained. "I use it as a base to make a creamy mushroom sauce similar to Stroganoff, which I then serve over noodles, a baked potato, pasta, or rice," one person wrote. Clearly, this sauce isn't super special, but it's also not bad. The mushroom flavor is strong, so if you want your next Alfredo pasta to be just a little different and stand out, this sauce could be worth a go.
21. Vineyard Marinara with Merlot Wine Sauce
Because one kind of marinara sauce isn't enough, Bertolli wanted to spice things up with their Vineyard Marinara with Merlot Wine Sauce. The sauce is basically your typical marinara sauce but has some red wine added into the mix. But can you taste it? Not really.
It tastes like your typical marinara sauce, so we wouldn't go out of our way to pick it up from the store. In short, this is a very average marinara sauce, so don't be fooled by the addition of "Merlot" in the title — we were disappointed with this one, even though the overall flavor isn't terrible.
20. Italian Sausage with Garlic & Romano Sauce
Bertolli's Italian Sausage with Garlic & Romano Sauce is pretty decent, and a great alternative to homemade, it seems.
This sauce is pretty darn tasty, though not perfect. "I do like to add a few spices (especially granulated garlic, etc) to 'make it my own'," one person wrote in their review of the sauce. "I like this sauce, nice chunky ingredients, good spicy flavor. Great when I am too lazy to make my own," another added. If you're a fan of Italian sausage sauce on your pasta, then this might be a great new shortcut for you so you don't have to make the homemade version quite as often.
19. Rustic Cut Sweet Peppers and Portobello Mushroom Sauce
Bertolli's Rustic Cut Sweet Peppers and Portobello Mushroom Sauce is definitely not for anyone who hates mushrooms. As with all of the Rustic Cut sauces from Bertolli, this pasta sauce features thicker-cut vegetables, which might not be for everyone and might not be the right sauce for every dish that you make.
But the reviews of the sauce are generally positive. "For a jarred sauce I'd say it is definitely one of the better ones out there. It tastes fresh and has a semi-thick texture. It is not overly tomato tasting, which is a good thing," one person wrote. "It seemed like it had less basil and was not as sweet as the original," another pointed out. Again, it's not for everyone, but the sauce is still pretty tasty.
18. Olive Oil & Garlic Sauce
Bertolli's Olive Oil & Garlic Sauce is definitely one of the brand's simpler sauces, but the flavor is still pretty fantastic. This is your typical tomato sauce, but the flavors of olive oil and garlic stand out a little more and offer a great alternative to a standard marinara.
"My whole family enjoyed it," one person wrote. "You can see the fresh garlic right in the sauce. Definitely recommend and look forward to replacing my usual sauce with this!" Another review claimed the sauce was one of the best store-bought sauces they'd tried. "It is very flavorful and it actually reminds me of a restaurant-quality sauce. It does have chunks of tomatoes and garlic, which I love," they explained.
17. Traditional Marinara with Italian Herbs & Fresh Garlic Sauce
Bertolli's Traditional Marinara with Italian Herbs & Fresh Garlic Sauce is another classic, simple sauce. Obviously, based on the name of the sauce, it's clear that this sauce is a more basic marinara, but that doesn't mean Bertolli doesn't know how to nail the flavor.
As reviews of the sauce prove, it's definitely not the best pasta sauce out there, but it's also not the worst. "After adding some salt, pepper, and oregano I was happy with the sauce. It just needed a bit of love," one person explained while adding, "The consistency of the sauce was nice, not too thick, and not watery and thin." For the most part, people really enjoy the sauce, but just be aware that it's not anything gourmet and might need some more flavor and spices.
16. Four Cheese Rosa Sauce
It should come as no surprise that Bertolli also has plenty of creamier sauces other than just plain Alfredo should you want something a little richer for your pasta night. And their Four Cheese Rosa Sauce is pretty darn rich. Additionally, it's a pretty decent sauce overall, especially if you want to try a white sauce that has a little more of that tomato flavor you love.
"I love this! My family swears I have the best Alfredo and they don't know this is my secret! Great taste and great consistency!" one review of the sauce stated. "Sometimes the flavor is a little lacking but [we] will just add our own touch to it to bring the flavor out more," another added, proving that as rich and decadent as this sauce might be, it still needs a little extra spice to make it pop.
15. Five Cheese Sauce with Ricotta, Romano & Parmesan Cheeses
For a different take on red sauce, try Bertolli's Five Cheese Sauce with Ricotta, Romano & Parmesan Cheese. This is a great, everyday pasta sauce that has a few more notes of cheese than your typical red sauce, so if you're a cheese-lover, this is the sauce for you. This sauce is certainly tasty, and it's the perfect blend of tomato, cheese, and Italian seasonings without actually being a cream-based sauce. In short, it's pretty good.
And the reviews of the sauce agree, mostly. "I like this sauce, but in my opinion, I feel it has too much Romano cheese taste that overtakes the other flavors," one person noted. However, other customers really enjoyed the sauce. "It's got the cheese taste everyone loves with the classic red bent into perfect balance," another added.
14. Organic Five Cheese Sauce
Another seemingly "healthier" version of Bertolli's pasta sauce is their Organic Five Cheese Sauce. This is basically just like their other five cheese sauce, but it's made with organic ingredients. And honestly, it tastes about the same. But that's not a bad thing! The sauce is pretty good, just not amazing.
While this sauce has a good consistency and plenty of cheese, we feel like it's missing out on some of the other flavors, so you may have to add some to your pan before you pour it over your pasta. However, it's definitely a solid option when you don't want to have to make your sauce from scratch. For an organic version of their cheese sauce, you can't go wrong with this one.
13. Rustic Cut Roasted Garlic Marinara with Garden Vegetables Sauce
Bertolli's Rustic Cut Roasted Garlic Marinara with Garden Vegetables Sauce might be a gamble to try out, as there seems to be a quality control issue with the pasta sauce. Obviously, if you want to add a little more vegetables to your family's diet, this sauce might seem like a winner. And flavor-wise, it is, but there are some issues with the consistency that kind of ruin the sauce.
"The absolutely hard carrots make the sauce inedible," one person explained in their review. "Literally felt like parts of a tooth or tiny pebbles in my sauce." But it's not all bad! "Best pasta sauce! Very hearty taste without being too heavy. It is full of vegetables," another added. So, if you're willing to gamble on some crunchy carrots, then go for it!
12. Alfredo Sauce with Aged Parmesan
Bertolli's Alfredo with Aged Parmesan Saucce is your standard Alfredo sauce, but the flavor from the aged Parmesan seems to either make the sauce totally inedible or is what people love about it. There's really no middle ground here.
Honestly, reviews of this sauce range from people hating it people to loving it. "The flavor is very balanced. Not too much garlic, cheese or too rich and heavy," one person raved. "I found this Alfredo sauce to be quite bland and nothing special. You would get better results making your own from scratch," another person claimed. Whatever the case, this sauce clearly isn't a winner, though you could also do a lot worse.
11. Parmesan & Romano with Cracked Black Pepper Sauce
Taking their red sauce to the next level, Bertolli came out with their Parmesan & Romano with Cracked Black Pepper Sauce. This tomato sauce features cheese and black pepper as flavor additions, but there seem to be some inconsistencies when it comes to how much people like the sauce.
"A great pair with chicken breast and pasta. It was flavorful without being overpowering," one person explained. "Overall, it was a very bland tomato-based pasta sauce which was impossible to differentiate from others," stated another review. If you are someone who doesn't mind a more bland sauce, you might enjoy this one. But if you're expecting a ton of flavor and love black pepper, then this sauce will only disappoint you.
10. Organic Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Bertolli's Organic Creamy Alfredo Sauce is basically the brand's original Alfredo sauce, but it's organic and maybe slightly creamier. Whatever Bertolli tries to do with the sauce, though, one thing is certain, and it's that this is actually one of their better Alfredo sauces.
Of course, not everyone thinks so. "It had an off taste that I just didn't enjoy. I probably wouldn't try it again," one reviewer commented. However, many others really enjoyed the sauce. "This product surpassed my expectations and tasted delicious while being very reasonable in price. Love the consistency, flavor, and overall product," someone else wrote. Whether or not you care about your products being organic, it seems as though this sauce is pretty tasty.
9. Vodka Sauce
Bertolli's Vodka Sauce might be unlike other vodka sauces in the store in that it actually contains vodka. Yes, if you're a fan of vodka sauce but don't feel like making your own, Bertolli's version could definitely come in handy.
For the most part, people really seem to enjoy the sauce. While some customers found that they needed to add a few spices of their own to the sauce, others had zero complaints. "The sauce is a bit sweet, so that might be a turn off for some. I throw in some dried oregano and crushed red pepper to season it a bit and it tones the sweetness down a bit," one person explained. "Far and away it's the best Vodka sauce I have ever tasted — bottled or restaurant," another added. So, even if you want to add more flavor to the sauce, you'll probably end up really enjoying it!
8. Organic Garlic Alfredo Sauce
Bertolli's Organic Garlic Alfredo Sauce is yet another version of a classic Alfredo sauce, just made with organic ingredients and with a hint more garlic than your average Alfredo sauce. And let's just say if you're a fan of garlic, then this sauce might just knock your socks off. However, not everyone loves it, and there seemed to be some issues with the texture as well.
"I found that this sauce made my pasta dry," one reviewer explained, which is definitely not what you want from a pasta sauce. Still, the overall consensus seemed to be that the sauce was flavorful, creamy, and a great organic Alfredo option. "The sauce is thick and very creamy. The taste is very fresh and garlic is well noted. I was really impressed with how fresh the garlic tasted!" another review read. Clearly, this sauce probably won't disappoint you.
7. D'Italia Marinara Sauce
Bertolli's d'Italia Marinara Sauce is the brand's more Italian version of their classic marinara sauce. The sauce boasts that it's made in Italy, and honestly, the flavors support that.
According to reviews of the sauce, it's pretty good, but some found it had an off taste to it. "It was a nice robust scent and very flavorful, just too bitter for my liking," one person wrote. But still, it's clear that the flavor is there. "It is a thick, rich, hearty sauce that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. It's bursting with tomato flavor and the perfect amount of Italian spices," another reviewer added. This is definitely one of Bertolli's best marinara sauces, and you might want to try it out.
6. Rustic Cut Three Cheese with Aged Asiago, Romano & Parmesan Sauce
Bertolli's Rustic Cut Three Cheese with Aged Asiago, Romano & Parmesan Sauce is definitely one of the brand's more gourmet-sounding sauces. Like the other Rustic Cut sauces in the lineup, it features thicker cuts of vegetable in the sauce as well as three cheeses to really make the flavor stand out even more. And it works. The sauce is one of Bertolli's best.
It has a lovely ripe flavor to it with plenty of vegetables to add a touch of something interesting to your favorite pasta dish. It's easy to pick up on the fresh garlic and onions, which are strong but not too strong. And when it comes to the cheese? They add a lovely umami touch and just the right amount of creaminess to this sauce.
5. Tuscan-Herb Alfredo with White Wine Sauce
Bertolli's Tuscan-Herb Alfredo with White Wine Sauce is another one of the brand's attempts at elevating a classic pasta sauce. However, this one works better than some others because it actually includes white wine in the sauce, and reviews all agree that this sauce is seriously tasty.
"It has a really nice, creamy texture and has an incredibly bold flavor to it," one person wrote. "The flavor of this sauce is so well balanced and delicious. This is definitely worth checking out, it tastes way better than any jarred alfredo sauce I have ever tried before," another raved. Now, you'll notice that this isn't Bertolli's best alfredo sauce, but it's certainly one of their best sauces overall.
4. Organic Marinara Sauce
Bertolli's Organic Marinara Sauce is perhaps their best marinara sauce. And whether that's because it's organic or for another reason doesn't really matter. This sauce is seriously delicious, and if you're looking for a marinara sauce to get from the store so you don't have to make your own, Bertolli's is definitely one of the best.
It's thick and hearty, but it's not so chunky that you'll be pulling pieces of tomato out from between your teeth. It's somewhat smooth, but you can taste the fresh herbs and garlic, which impart a strong flavor on the otherwise mild sauce. It's definitely one of our favorites!
3. Portobello Mushroom Sauce
Believe it or not, Bertolli's Portobello Mushroom Pasta Sauce is actually one of the brand's best sauces. Of course, you probably won't agree with this if you don't like mushrooms, but the sauce as a whole is seriously delicious, and the mushrooms are just the icing on the cake.
This one has the perfect thickness to it — it's just thick enough that it coats your pasta well, but it's not so thin that it gets lost at the bottom of the bowl. And the mushrooms are putting in hard work here. They're super flavorful and lend the sauce a lovely texture that's hard to achieve on your own.
2. D'Italia Four Cheese Alfredo Sauce
It should probably come as no surprise that Bertolli's two best pasta sauces are both Alfredo sauces and are from their D'Italia line. A fresh-tasting Alfredo sauce is hard to come by, but Bertolli really nails it with their D'Italia Four Cheese Alfredo Sauce. This sauce is like a standard Alfredo sauce, just with more cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Fontal, and Gorgonzola, to be exact.
And people love it. "Tried this four cheese mix and it was amazing! Very creamy and tasty, and very easy to prepare. Instantly became our go-to alfredo sauce!" one person wrote. "This pasta sauce is so good! It tasted really authentic just like something you'd get at a restaurant," another exclaimed. And while the cheesiness might not be for everyone, this sauce is top tier.
1. D'Italia Alfredo Sauce
Finally, the absolute best Bertolli pasta sauce is easily their d'Italia Alfredo Sauce. This sauce is one of the best Alfredo sauces you can buy at a store, and hits all the right notes for the perfect Alfredo dish, whether that's with chicken, just noodles, or even on a pizza!
Take one bite, and you'll realize that it really does taste like it was made in Italy. It has a freshness to it, and it balances its different flavors perfectly. We love that it's light and creamy while still coating your pasta well. Plus, it's not too salty, which is an issue you find with some Alfredo sauces. It's perfect for a wide range of dishes, so you should definitely check it out if you like Alfredo. It will make dinner a piece of cake, and your taste buds will be happy too.