The #1 Underrated Pasta Sauce You Should Be Buying, According to a Food Editor

In any kitchen, the pantry plays a key role in getting a healthy, satisfying dinner on the table, and keeping it well stocked is essential. When you have ingredients like black beans, canned soup and more on hand, you can get dinner on the table quickly by making Black Bean Tacos or Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens. And one ingredient that I always have in my pantry is pasta sauce, specifically a jar of vodka sauce—here’s why.

Growing up in New Jersey, I ate more than my fair share of marinara sauce on slices of pizza, mounds of spaghetti and slabs of lasagna. While I always liked red sauce, I fell in love with vodka sauce after eating a slice of penne alla vodka pizza as a kid (and how could I not? It was pasta on top of pizza, also known as two of my favorite carbs). Although my pizza order has changed now as an adult, my love for vodka sauce has remained. 

Although its origin is unclear, vodka sauce is a tomato-based sauce, often made with a combination of tomato paste and canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, cream and vodka. Of course, the namesake ingredient is key—vodka adds a bite to the sauce that’s hard to define. It’s like heat, but not the spicy heat of a chile. It’s also not bitter, as the bitterness of the alcohol burns off as the sauce simmers. Vodka’s addition to the sauce balances the other ingredients, and you’d certainly miss it if you didn’t include it. For me, the most important ingredient is actually the cream, as it brings the tomatoes and vodka together. Plus, I find it mellows the acidity of the sauce, making it more enjoyable than if I were to eat plain tomato sauce. Cream also helps create a smooth texture and without it, the orange hue of the sauce is impossible to achieve.

In addition to its flavor, vodka sauce is also loaded with nutrients thanks to the tomatoes. Full of vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium, tomatoes also contains antioxidants like lycopene, beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help with your skin, heart and eye health. One thing worth noting: Lycopene is a fat-soluble compound, meaning that your body can absorb it more easily when it's consumed with fat. Since vodka sauce is made with cream (which is high in fat), it can help you reap more of the tomatoes' health benefits. But that's not the only reason for including cream. Many marinara sauces contain added sugar to helps balance the tomatoes' acidity. But cream does that, too, so most vodka sauces don't contain added sugar.

Related: Tomato Puree vs. Paste: What's the Difference?

With its velvety texture and rich tomato flavor, I always keep a jar of vodka sauce in my pantry for easy dinners. While I do like to make my own on occasion, the timesaving convenience of jarred sauce can’t be beat—I usually opt for whatever brand is on sale. One thing to keep in mind when looking at jarred vodka sauce is the sodium, which can range widely from 400 milligrams to upwards of 600 milligrams of sodium. Look for one on the lower end of 400, which includes brands like Victoria and 365 by Whole Foods.

My go-to pantry meal combines vodka sauce and spaghetti, plus a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. If I have it, I’ll also add spinach for some more color and nutrients. But pasta isn’t the only way to incorporate vodka sauce into your meals. You could swap it for marinara and make our Chicken Parmesan alla Vodka for a flavorful twist on a classic. Or, you can pair it with runny eggs and sop it up with bread, like in our Vodka Sauce Eggs, an easy 15-minute brunch or dinner.

However you use it, vodka sauce is an underrated ingredient that you should keep in your pantry. As much as I love it for the nostalgia, it has remained my favorite sauce for its depth of flavor, subtle creaminess and smooth texture. So, grab a jar during your next grocery trip, and thank me later. 

Related: These Are the 7 Healthiest Marinara Sauces You Need to Be Buying