# Prego Italian Sauce, Three Cheese > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Prego® - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Pasta & Pasta Sauce - **Size:** 24 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/prego-prego-italian-sauce-three-cheese-24-oz - **Slug:** `prego-prego-italian-sauce-three-cheese-24-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods The ingredient list includes industrially produced cheese pastes, emulsifiers (disodium phosphate, sodium citrate), stabilizers (carrageenan), added sugar and oil, consistent with ultraprocessed foods under the NOVA system. ## Review Prego Three Cheese Italian Sauce (24 oz) is the familiar jarred pasta sauce you reach for in the pasta aisle when you want a fast, flavorful dinner base. You’ll find it in the canned and jarred sauces section, shelved near other tomato sauces, pasta, canned tomatoes and ready-made simmer sauces. It suits quick weeknight meals, family pasta nights, easy meal-prep sessions, or a last-minute pantry rescue for busy parents. The brand reads as mainstream American-Italian comfort: marketed to families who want a reliable, kid-friendly option that feels homey without the effort of making sauce from scratch. Packaging and copy emphasize taste and togetherness rather than stringent health credentials; the label leans into “tasty ingredients” and convenience rather than organic or non-GMO certification, and it does not present itself as a specialty natural product. The jar is a standard glass/screw-top format that stores easily in a pantry and reheats on the stove or in a saucepan; the texture inside is thick and smooth with a visible tomato body and a creamy, cheesy mouthfeel from blended cheeses. Typical use is simple: heat, stir, ladle over pasta, or spoon into casseroles and weeknight recipes. From a processing standpoint this is a commercially prepared sauce with added sugar, oils, concentrated cheese components and stabilizers, so it’s more processed than a homemade tomato and herb sauce. Sensory cues are vine-ripened tomato flavor layered with herb notes and a mild, cheesy richness that aims to satisfy both kids and adults seeking a quick, comforting meal. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.5 cup - **Servings per container:** 5 - **Calories:** 70 - **Total fat:** 1.5g (2% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0.5g (3% DV) - **Sodium:** 480mg (21% DV) - **Total carbs:** 11g (4% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 8g - **Added sugars:** 3g (6% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients INGREDIENTS: TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), DICED TOMATOES IN TOMATO JUICE, SUGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: SALT, CANOLA OIL, GRANULAR CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), RICOTTA CHEESE (WHEY, CREAM, VINEGAR, CARRAGEENAN), CITRIC ACID, SPICES, WHEY, BASIL, CONCENTRATED PARMESAN CHEESE PASTE (PARMESAN CHEESE [MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE AND SODIUM CITRATE), ROMANO CHEESE (COW'S MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), ONION EXTRACT, GARLIC EXTRACT, LACTIC ACID. CONTAINS: MILK ## Flagged ingredients - **canola oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, meal-prep-sunday, weeknight-dinner - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is the Three Cheese sauce healthy? The Three Cheese sauce is a tasty option that offers a moderate calorie count of 70 per serving. It has some fiber and protein, but it's not exactly a health powerhouse. If you're looking for a quick meal enhancer, it fits the bill, but like all sauces, it's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Three Cheese sauce is not vegan. It contains dairy ingredients like ricotta and Parmesan cheese, so if you're avoiding animal products, you might want to skip this one or find a vegan alternative that captures the cheesy goodness without the dairy. ### Is it gluten-free? Yes! The Three Cheese sauce is gluten-free, making it a great choice for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. You can enjoy it over your favorite gluten-free pasta without worry. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it contains canola oil, which is a common seed oil. While some people prefer to avoid seed oils due to their processing methods, canola oil is widely used in sauces for its mild flavor and ability to blend well. It's not inherently 'bad,' but if you're trying to limit seed oils, just keep that in mind. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, the Three Cheese sauce does not contain any artificial sweeteners. The sweetness mainly comes from added sugar, which is pretty common in pasta sauces to balance out acidity, so no hidden surprises here! ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With about 8 grams of total sugars per serving, it's not considered high in sugar, especially compared to many other sauces out there. However, it does contain some added sugars, so if you're watching your sugar intake, just keep an eye on portion sizes. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier options, consider making your own sauce with fresh tomatoes, herbs, and spices. There are also brands that offer lower-sugar or organic tomato sauces that might suit your needs better. Just remember, cooking from scratch can be time-consuming, so it’s all about finding that balance! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! The Three Cheese sauce is kid-friendly and can be a hit with the little ones. It has a mild flavor and cheesy goodness that pairs well with pasta, making it a convenient option for busy parents. ### Is it good for weight loss? While the Three Cheese sauce is relatively low in calories, it's not specifically designed for weight loss. If you're counting calories, it can fit into a weight loss plan, but pairing it with lots of veggies or whole grains can make it more filling and nutritious. ### Is it ultra-processed? The Three Cheese sauce does fall into the category of processed foods, but it's not what you'd call ultra-processed. It has a mix of recognizable ingredients, though it does include some additives like citric acid and disodium phosphate, which help with flavor and texture. Just remember, a little processing can go a long way in making mealtime quicker and easier! ## Related products - [Victoria Marinara Sauce 24 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/victoria-marinara-sauce-24-oz-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/victoria-marinara-sauce-24-oz-24-oz - [Rummo Pasta Rigatoni #50](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/rummo-pasta-rigatoni-50-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/rummo-pasta-rigatoni-50-16-oz - [Rao's Pasta Spaghetti](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/raos-pasta-spaghetti-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/raos-pasta-spaghetti-16-oz - [Michaels of Brooklyn Marinara Pasta Sauce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/michaels-of-brooklyn-marinara-pasta-sauce-32-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/michaels-of-brooklyn-marinara-pasta-sauce-32-oz - [Ronzoni X-Wide Egg Noodles](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ronzoni-x-wide-egg-noodles-12-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ronzoni-x-wide-egg-noodles-12-oz - [Ronzoni Elbows, Large, No. 74 1 lb](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ronzoni-elbows-large-no-74-1-lb-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ronzoni-elbows-large-no-74-1-lb-16-oz - [Victoria Pasta Sauce, Marinara with Avocado Oil](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/victoria-pasta-sauce-marinara-with-avocado-oil-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/victoria-pasta-sauce-marinara-with-avocado-oil-24-oz - [De Cecco Linguine](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/de-cecco-linguine-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/de-cecco-linguine-16-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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