# Stouffers Spaghetti with Meat Sauce > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Stouffer's - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Frozen Foods - **Size:** 12 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stouffers-stouffers-spaghetti-with-meat-sauce-12-oz - **Slug:** `stouffers-stouffers-spaghetti-with-meat-sauce-12-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrial ingredients and additives (modified food starch, mono- and diglycerides, autolyzed yeast extract) and is a ready-to-heat formulated frozen meal, consistent with NOVA group 4 (ultraprocessed). ## Review Stouffer’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a single-serve frozen entrée you’ll find in the supermarket’s frozen meals section, shelved with other frozen dinners, entrées and pizzas and often adjacent to microwaveable family meals. It reads like classic comfort food packaging — the Stouffer’s logo, a photo of pasta in sauce, and language such as “homestyle” and “freshly made pasta” that leans on tradition and convenience rather than organic or natural certification. This product is aimed at time-pressed shoppers — busy parents, single adults, college students and anyone looking for an easy weeknight solution — and is positioned as a familiar, reliable brand rather than a gourmet or health-focused choice. The label leans on a comfort halo (homestyle, quality ingredients) but does not carry organic or clean-label certifications; it uses processed ingredients and common additives typical of frozen entrées. In plain terms, it’s a ready-to-heat frozen meal made with pasta, a beef–pork meat blend and a seasoned tomato sauce bolstered by stabilizers and emulsifiers. Sensory cues include a glossy, tomato-forward sauce with soft, warming meat pieces, tender-to-firm pasta depending on reheating, and an aroma of garlic and onion when heated. Packaging is a microwaveable tray with a paperboard sleeve or box — a quick pull-tab ritual: from freezer to microwave or oven, a few minutes later plate and eat, possibly paired with a salad or bread. In American grocery culture it sits squarely in the convenience-meal niche: nostalgic, comforting weeknight fuel that trades culinary freshness for speed and predictability. ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 410 - **Total fat:** 13g (17% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 4g (20% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 30mg (10% DV) - **Sodium:** 640mg (28% DV) - **Total carbs:** 54g (20% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 4g (14% DV) - **Total sugars:** 5g - **Added sugars:** 2g (4% DV) - **Protein:** 19g ## Ingredients COOKED PASTA (WATER, SEMOLINA WHEAT FLOUR), WATER, COOKED BEEF AND PORK BLEND, TOMATO PASTE, ONIONS, 2% OR LESS OF SOYBEAN OIL, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SUGAR, SALT, BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, ROMANO CHEESE MADE FROM COW'S MILK (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), OLIVE OIL, SPICES, GARLIC, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SEASONING (SOY SAUCE [WATER, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT], AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, DEXTROSE, SOYBEAN OIL). ## Flagged ingredients - **soybean oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **mono- and diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, movie-night, quick-weeknight - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic, practical ## FAQ ### Is Stouffer's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce healthy? Well, 'healthy' can be a bit subjective! This dish packs in a decent amount of protein at 19g per serving, which is great if you’re looking for something filling. But with 640mg of sodium and some added sugars, it’s more of a comforting meal than a health food. Think of it as a quick, satisfying option rather than a superfood! ### Is it vegan? Nope, Stouffer's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce isn’t vegan. It contains a blend of cooked beef and pork, plus Romano cheese made from cow's milk. So, if you’re avoiding animal products, this one’s not for you! ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, this spaghetti isn’t gluten-free. It contains semolina wheat flour and bleached wheat flour, which means it’s definitely not safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. If you’re looking for gluten-free options, there are plenty of alternatives out there! ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain soybean oil, which is a common seed oil. While some folks are concerned about seed oils, they’re generally safe to consume in moderation. They help with texture and prevent sticking, so they serve a purpose in this frozen dish! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, no artificial sweeteners here! The sweetness comes from a bit of added sugar, which is pretty standard in many frozen meals. So you can rest easy knowing there are no sneaky sugar substitutes lurking in the ingredient list. ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With only 5g of total sugars per serving, it’s not high in sugar. For context, that’s less than a standard candy bar, so you can enjoy this dish without worrying about a sugar overload. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider making a homemade spaghetti with whole grain pasta, fresh veggies, and lean ground turkey or plant-based protein. There are also brands that offer frozen options with fewer preservatives and more veggies. Just keep an eye on the ingredient list! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Stouffer's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce can be a kid-friendly meal, especially for picky eaters. It’s flavorful and filling, making it a convenient choice for busy parents. Just keep portion sizes in mind, especially with the sodium content! ### Is it good for weight loss? Well, it depends on your overall diet and lifestyle. At 410 calories per serving, it's not overly high in calories, but it does have sodium and added sugars. If you’re balancing it with plenty of veggies and whole grains in other meals, it could fit into a weight loss plan, but moderation is key! ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, Stouffer's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce falls into the ultra-processed category. It contains ingredients like modified food starch and autolyzed yeast extract, which are common in processed foods. While it’s convenient, it’s good to balance these kinds of meals with whole, minimally processed foods when you can! ## Related products - [Edy's Ice Cream, French Vanilla](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/edys-ice-cream-french-vanilla-48-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/edys-ice-cream-french-vanilla-48-oz - [Amy's Burrito, Non-Dairy Beans & Rice](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/amys-kitchen-burrito-non-dairy-beans-rice-6-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/amys-kitchen-burrito-non-dairy-beans-rice-6-oz - [Newman's Own Pizza, Thin & Crispy, Uncured Pepperoni](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/newmans-own-pizza-thin-crispy-uncured-pepperoni-1510-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/newmans-own-pizza-thin-crispy-uncured-pepperoni-1510-oz - [DiGiorno Rising Crust Supreme Pizza](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/digiorno-rising-crust-supreme-pizza-2930-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/digiorno-rising-crust-supreme-pizza-2930-oz - [Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, Strawberry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-strawberry-28-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-strawberry-28-oz - [Birds Eye Steamfresh Cream Spinach](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/birds-eye-steamfresh-cream-spinach-1080-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/birds-eye-steamfresh-cream-spinach-1080-oz - [Friendly's Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Cup](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/friendlys-ice-cream-peanut-butter-cup-48-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/friendlys-ice-cream-peanut-butter-cup-48-oz - [Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-white-chocolate-raspberry-truffle-14-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-white-chocolate-raspberry-truffle-14-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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