Is Ragu Gluten Free? (You’d Be Surprised!)


Is Ragu Gluten Free

You may get overwhelmed if you are at your local grocery store with pasta for dinner in mind. When it comes to pasta sauce, there are so many options! Which flavor would be the best? Which brand should you choose? If you eat gluten-free, this restriction will narrow down your options a bit. 

Most of the Ragu sauces are gluten-free, with a few exceptions. The gluten-free flavors do not contain ingredients such as rye, barley, malt, and wheat. The Parmesan & Romano and Mama’s Garden sauces contain barley and need to be avoided by anyone with celiac disease. The best alternative brands are Sonoma, Yo Mama’s, and Due Amici sauces.

Avoiding the common gluten ingredients will help you take care of your body while enjoying a delicious meal! Ready to learn more about Ragu’s numerous sauces?

Are Ragu Sauces Healthy?

Overall, Ragu is not a healthy choice. A few of their more simplistic sauces containing minimal ingredients are healthy, but the rest are not. 

To start, soybean oil is a prevalent ingredient among the sauces. But, unfortunately, this oil is very high in omega-6 fats, which can cause adverse health side effects when consumed too often. Among these are obesity, diabetes, and depression.

As for calories, the number per serving tends to be high and can add up quickly. Many of the sauces are high in sugar, as well. Some of the flavors contain added sugar, while others only have natural sugars. 

Ragu Nutritional Facts

Ragu Simply Sauces

Simply Roasted Garlic

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 60
  • Total fat: 1.5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 10g 
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Simply Roasted Garlic:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Diced tomatoes in puree (diced tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride, citric acid)
  • Onions
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Dehydrated roasted garlic
  • Roasted garlic powder
  • Roasted garlic
  • Dehydrated onion
  • Spices 

Simply Chunky Garden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 70
  • Total fat: 2.5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 10g 
  • Total sugars: 6g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Simply Chunky Garden Vegetable Pasta Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Diced tomatoes in puree (diced tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride, citric acid)
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Sweet potato
  • Olive oil
  • Celery
  • Green bell peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Garlic powder

Simply Traditional Pasta Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 70
  • Total fat: 1g
  • Total carbohydrate: 12g 
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Simply Traditional Pasta Sauce:

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

Simply Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 70
  • Total fat: 1.5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 11g
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Simply Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Diced tomatoes in puree (diced tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride, citric acid)
  • Sweet potato
  • Onions
  • Olive oil
  • Carrots
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Dehydrated onions
  • Spices 

Old World Style Sauces

Old World Style Traditional Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 60 
  • Total fat: 1g
  • Total carbohydrate: 11g 
  • Total sugars: 8g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Old World Style Traditional Sauce:

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

Old World Style Mushroom Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 70
  • Total fat: 2g
  • Total carbohydrate: 11g 
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Old World Style Mushroom Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Mushrooms
  • Soybean oil
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Dehydrated onions
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Spices
  • Natural flavors

Old World Style Marinara Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total fat: 2.5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 11g 
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Old World Style Marinara Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Tomatoes in puree (tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride, citric acid)
  • Soybean oil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Dehydrated onions
  • Spices
  • Natural flavor

Old World Style Meat Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 90
  • Total fat: 4g
  • Total carbohydrate: 12g
  • Total sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Old World Style Meat Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Soybean oil
  • Cooked ground beef
  • Salt
  • Dehydrated onions
  • Sugar
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Spices
  • Citric acid
  • Natural flavors

Chunky Sauces

Hearty Traditional Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total fat: 2g
  • Total carbohydrate: 13g 
  • Total sugars: 8g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Hearty Traditional Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Dehydrated onions
  • Spices
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Natural flavors

Super Chunky Mushroom Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total fat: 2g
  • Total carbohydrate: 14g 
  • Total sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Super Chunky Mushroom Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Diced tomatoes in puree (diced tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride, citric acid)
  • Mushrooms
  • Sugar 
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Garlic powder
  • Natural flavors

Mushroom & Green Pepper Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total fat: 2g
  • Total carbohydrate: 13g
  • Total sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Mushroom & Green Pepper Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Diced tomatoes in puree (diced tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride, citric acid)
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Green bell peppers
  • Sugar
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Garlic powder
  • Natural flavors

Six Cheese Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 90
  • Total fat: 2.5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 14g
  • Total sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 3g

These are the ingredients in the Six Cheese Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Diced tomatoes in puree [diced tomatoes, tomato puree, calcium chloride (firming aid), citric acid]
  • Sugar
  • Ricotta cheese (milk, whey, vinegar, salt)
  • Onions
  • Soybean oil
  • Aged Asiago cheese (cultured part-skim milk, salt, enzymes)
  • Salt
  • Romano cheese made from cow’s milk (cultured part-skim milk, salt, enzymes)
  • Basil
  • Garlic
  • Parmesan cheese (cultured part-skim milk, salt, enzymes)
  • Fontina cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes)
  • Mozzarella cheese (cultured milk, nonfat milk, salt, enzymes)
  • Spices
  • Citric acid
  • Dehydrated onions
  • Natural flavors (contains egg)

Cheese Sauces

Butter Parmesan Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 60
  • Total fat: 5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 2g
  • Total sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Butter Parmesan Sauce:

  • Water
  • Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
  • Butter (sweet cream, salt)
  • Modified corn starch
  • Heavy cream
  • Enzyme modified egg yolk (egg yolk, salt, enzyme)
  • Aged Asiago cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Salt
  • Xanthan gum
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Whey protein concentrate
  • Garlic powder

Classic Alfredo Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 90
  • Total fat: 9g
  • Total carbohydrate: 2g
  • Total sugars: <1g
  • Protein: 1g

These are the ingredients in the Classic Alfredo Sauce:

  • Water
  • Soybean oil
  • Cream
  • Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Modified corn starch
  • Enzyme modified egg yolk (egg yolk, salt, enzyme)
  • Whey
  • Salt
  • Romano cheese made from cow’s milk (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Whey protein concentrate
  • Xanthan gum
  • Yeast extract
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Natural flavors
  • Garlic powder
  • Spices 

Creamy Basil Alfredo Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 90
  • Total fat: 8g
  • Total carbohydrate: 3g 
  • Total sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 1g

These are the ingredients in the Creamy Basil Alfredo Sauce:

  • Water
  • Cream
  • Soybean oil
  • Basil
  • Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese, cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Modified corn starch
  • Enzyme modified egg yolk (egg yolks, salt, enzyme)
  • Whey
  • Salt
  • Romano cheese made from cow’s milk (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Spices
  • Whey protein concentrate
  • Garlic powder
  • Xanthan gum
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Natural flavors

Double Cheddar Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 100
  • Total fat: 9g
  • Total carbohydrate: 3g 
  • Total sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 2g

These are the ingredients in the Double Cheddar Sauce:

  • Water
  • Yellow and white cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, annatto color)
  • Soybean oil
  • Modified corn starch
  • Enzyme modified egg yolk (egg yolk, salt, enzyme)
  • Butter (sweet cream, salt)
  • Whey
  • Salt
  • Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Romano cheese made from cow’s milk (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
  • Natural flavors
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Xanthan gum
  • Paprika and annatto extract (color)
  • Yeast extract
  • Whey protein concentrate
  • Soy lecithin 

Pizza Sauces

Homemade Style Pizza Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 30
  • Total fat: 1g
  • Total carbohydrate: 5g 
  • Total sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 1g

These are the ingredients in the Homemade Style Pizza Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Natural flavor

Pizza Quick Traditional Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 45
  • Total fat: 1.5g
  • Total carbohydrate: 6g 
  • Total sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 1g

These are the ingredients in the Pizza Quick Traditional Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Modified food starch
  • Dried onions
  • Spices
  • Sugar
  • Natural flavor

Gluten-Free Alternatives to Ragu Products

Sonoma Gourmet Rich & Creamy Kale Pesto with White Cheddar Pasta Sauce

Sonoma Gourmet Rich & Creamy Kale Pesto with White Cheddar Pasta Sauce | Gluten-Free | Made With Garden Fresh Kale & Sharp White Cheddar - 25 Ounce Jars (Pack of 4) This delicious sauce is made with garden-fresh kale and sharp white cheddar while being gluten-free!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 110
  • Total fat: 10g
  • Total carbohydrates: 4g
  • Total sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 2g

Ingredients:

  • Organic vegetable stock (water, organic vegetable broth concentrate [organic carrot, organic celery, organic onion], sea salt, organic onion powder)
  • Cream
  • Cultured buttermilk
  • Kale
  • Sunflower oil
  • White cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
  • Natural flavor
  • Rice starch
  • Garlic
  • Sea salt
  • Dried shallots
  • Onion powder
  • Citric acid
  • Xanthan gum

Yo Mama’s Original Marinara Sauce

Keto Marinara Pasta and Pizza Sauce by Yo Mama's Foods - Pack of (2) - No Sugar Added, Low Carb, Low Sodium, Gluten Free, Paleo Friendly, and Made with Whole, Non-GMO Tomatoes. Try this keto marinara sauce that is low in sodium with no added sugars!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 60
  • Total fat: 4.5g
  • Total carbohydrates: 5g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 1g

Ingredients:

  • Fresh non-GMO tomatoes
  • Fresh onions
  • Fresh garlic
  • White wine
  • Organic chicken stock (organic vegetable stock, organic turmeric)
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh basil
  • Salt
  • Oregano
  • Black pepper

Due Amici Pizza Sauce

Pizza Sauce by Due Amici - Keto / Vegan - Pack of (2) - Tomatoes Imported From Italy, No Sugar Added, Low Carb, Low Sodium, Gluten Free, No Additives, Non-GMO. This gluten-free pizza sauce is a treat with the tomatoes used imported from Italy!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 100
  • Total fat: 5g
  • Total carbohydrates: 10g
  • Total sugars: 6g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • San Marzano tomatoes
  • Fresh garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh basil
  • Sea salt
  • Oregano 

Final Thoughts

While Ragu is not the healthiest pasta addition, most flavors do not contain any gluten ingredients, making it a safe option for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. In addition, there are many different flavors, almost guaranteeing that everyone can enjoy at least a few of them!

The more straightforward sauces, such as the Simply Roasted Garlic sauce and the Simply Chunky Garden Vegetable sauce, are the best choices because of the minimal ingredients and exclusion of sugar and soybean oil. Soybean oil is a common addition to many of Ragu’s recipes and should generally be avoided due to the possible negative side effects.

If you want to try alternative gluten-free pasta and pizza sauces, there are many great options! Sonoma, Yo Mama, and Due Amici are a few brands that make delicious products for you to try!

Related Questions

Is Ragu Vegan?

Some of the sauces are vegan, while others contain dairy products, eggs, and/or ground beef.

Is Ragu Keto-Friendly?

Certain flavors contain as few as two grams of carbohydrates per serving, making them keto-friendly. However, some flavors contain more than ten grams per serving and should be avoided on the keto diet.

Is Ragu Dairy-Free?

Some sauces are dairy-free, while others contain ingredients such as milk, cheese, and butter.

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Christine VanDoren

Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her passion is helping others learn how strong and healthy they can become by transforming their daily habits. Christine spends most of her time in the gym, hiking, painting, and learning how she can influence others through positivity!

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