# Prego Sauce, Flavored with Meat > 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-sauce-flavored-with-meat-24-oz - **Slug:** `prego-prego-sauce-flavored-with-meat-24-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrially processed ingredients and additives (sugar, concentrated tomato purée, natural flavoring, yeast/beef extracts, citric acid) and is a ready-to-heat, factory-formulated jarred sauce, placing it in the ultra-processed category. ## Review Prego® Sauce, Flavored with Meat (24 oz) sits on the supermarket center aisle with other jarred pasta sauces and canned tomatoes — typically shelved near pasta, pasta mixes, and Italian-style pantry staples. Shoppers grab it for quick weeknight dinners, back-to-school meal solutions, or when building a pantry for casual entertaining. The brand positions itself as an approachable, family-focused Italian sauce: multi-generational marketing, kid-friendly flavor promises, and convenience for busy households. Packaging calls out vine-ripened tomatoes, a thick smooth texture, and family mealtime ease; label claims highlight gluten-free status, no artificial colors, and no high fructose corn syrup, though it is not organic and uses “natural flavoring.” Visually it’s a clear 24 oz jar with a twist-off lid and a colorful label that evokes home-style cooking. Sensory cues are tomato-forward with a slightly sweet edge, detectable sugar and salt, savory beef notes from added beef and beef extract, and occasional diced tomato pieces for texture — the jar heats quickly on the stove and is spooned over spaghetti, stirred into casseroles, or used as a quick base for meatballs or pizza. Processing context: this is a factory-made, shelf-stable jarred sauce made from concentrated tomato purée with added sugar, salt, beef, and flavor-enhancing extracts and seasonings. Ritual context: it’s often the shortcut in a hurried dinner routine — open, heat, and serve — a pantry dependable product that trades culinary time for convenience while delivering familiar, crowd-pleasing flavors. ## Diet flags - Gluten-free - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.5 cup - **Servings per container:** 5 - **Calories:** 70 - **Total fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0.5g (3% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 470mg (20% DV) - **Total carbs:** 12g (4% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 10g - **Added sugars:** 4g (8% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients INGREDIENTS: TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), DICED TOMATOES IN TOMATO JUICE, SUGAR, BEEF, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: SALT, SPICES, DRIED ONIONS, DRIED GARLIC, BASIL, CITRIC ACID, DRIED BEEF STOCK, NATURAL FLAVORING, YEAST EXTRACT, BEEF EXTRACT, BEEF FAT. ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, meal-prep-sunday, weeknight-dinner - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is Prego's meat-flavored sauce healthy? Well, 'healthy' can mean different things depending on your goals! This sauce is low in calories and fat, making it a decent option if you’re watching your intake. However, it does contain added sugars and sodium, so if you’re monitoring those, it’s worth keeping an eye on portion sizes. ### Is Prego's meat-flavored sauce vegan? Nope, this sauce is not vegan. It contains beef and beef extracts, which means it’s definitely off the menu for plant-based eaters. If you're looking for a vegan pasta sauce, there are plenty of delicious options out there that skip the meat altogether! ### Is Prego's meat-flavored sauce gluten-free? Yes, it is! This sauce is gluten-free, which is great news for anyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. You can enjoy it on your favorite pasta without worrying about those pesky gluten grains. ### Does Prego's meat-flavored sauce contain seed oils? No seed oils here! This sauce sticks to tomato puree and beef for its flavor and texture. Seed oils can sometimes sneak into processed foods, but you won’t find them in this jar, which is a nice touch for those keeping an eye on their ingredients. ### Does Prego's meat-flavored sauce contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, no artificial sweeteners in sight! The sweetness comes from sugar, which is something to consider if you're watching your sugar intake, but at least you won't find any chemical substitutes here. ### Is Prego's meat-flavored sauce high in sugar? It has some sugar, but it’s not particularly high. With 10 grams of total sugars per serving (4 of which are added sugars), it's worth noting if you're trying to cut back. Just remember, everything in moderation! ### What are healthier alternatives to Prego's meat-flavored sauce? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider options that are lower in sodium or sugar, or even homemade sauces where you can control the ingredients. Brands like Rao’s or even simple marinara sauces can be great options, especially if they’re made with whole ingredients and no added sugars. ### Can kids eat Prego's meat-flavored sauce? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy this sauce, especially if they like a little meaty flavor in their pasta. Just keep an eye on portion sizes, especially if you're concerned about sodium or sugar, and pair it with whole grain pasta for a more balanced meal. ### Is Prego's meat-flavored sauce good for weight loss? It can fit into a weight loss plan, but like anything, moderation is key. It’s low in calories, so it can be a good option in a balanced meal, but be mindful of the sodium and sugars if you're keeping track of those. Pair it with plenty of veggies for a satisfying and nutritious dish! ### Is Prego's meat-flavored sauce ultra-processed? While it's not the most 'whole food' option out there, it’s not the worst either. It contains a mix of ingredients that are commonly found in processed foods, but it lacks a lot of the additives and preservatives that define ultra-processed products. So, it’s somewhere in the middle of the spectrum! ## Related products - [Barilla Pasta, Cellentani](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/barilla-pasta-cellentani-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/barilla-pasta-cellentani-16-oz - [Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Noodles, Extra Broad](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pennsylvania-dutch-egg-noodles-extra-broad-12-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pennsylvania-dutch-egg-noodles-extra-broad-12-oz - [Ronzoni Bow Ties](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ronzoni-bow-ties-12-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ronzoni-bow-ties-12-oz - [Ronzoni Fettuccini, No. 132](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ronzoni-fettuccini-no-132-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ronzoni-fettuccini-no-132-16-oz - [Ronzoni Linguine, No. 17](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ronzoni-linguine-no-17-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ronzoni-linguine-no-17-16-oz - [Ronzoni Capellini, No. 11](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ronzoni-capellini-no-11-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ronzoni-capellini-no-11-16-oz - [Carbone Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/carbone-tomato-basil-pasta-sauce-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/carbone-tomato-basil-pasta-sauce-24-oz - [Classico Sauce, Tomato & Basil](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/classico-sauce-tomato-basil-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/classico-sauce-tomato-basil-24-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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