ARRABBIATA and SPICY MARINARA SAUCES — CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE®

Information updated July 2023

Arrabbiata is a spicy tomato-based sauce with a kick from hot Red Peppers in the form of dried Red Pepper Flakes or Crushed Red Peppers. Spicy Marinara is a spicy version of Marinara Sauce with the same basic ingredients. Fra Diavolo Sauce is also used as a designation for this type of spicy tomato sauce.

LEADING U.S. BRANDS: Spicy Pasta Sauces from three of the leading U.S. Pasta Sauce brands contain ingredients Not In Kitchen™ >> ingredients we would never use at home to make Spicy Tomato-based Pasta Sauce. (Sources for ingredients: Brand Web sites 7/23; Source for Brand rankings: Statista 2023)

JARRED SAUCES: Many manufactured Arrabbiata Sauces contain added Sweetener and/or Chemical Preservatives. In addition to the above, following are some Arrabbiata Sauces with added Sugar. (Sources for ingredients: Brand Web sites and Kroger Web site 7/23)

CITRIC ACID: Below are some Arrabbiata Sauces which contain the FDA-recognized Chemical Preservative, Citric Acid. (Sources for ingredients: Brand Web sites 7/23; Source for Chemical Preservatives: U.S. FDA 2023) Unless specifically noted as “naturally derived Citric Acid” from citrus fruit, the majority of Citric Acid is manufactured using Black Mold. Read more here:

manufactured citric acid

THE SOLUTION: Following are several brands of Arrabbiata and Spicy Marinara Sauces which are Closest To Homemade with no Added Flavors, Colors, Sugar, Thickening Agents or Chemical Preservatives.

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE ARRABBIATA SAUCES: From family owned and operated since 1964 in Brooklyn, NY Michaels of Brooklyn Arrabbiata Sauce is made at the restaurant >> certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project verified made with Italian Olive Oil and imported Italian Tomatoes; from an Organic farm in Alba, Italy Mariangela Prunotto Organic Arrabbiata with Carrots, Celery and Sweet Peppers has no added oil, and Manhattan-founded The Silver Palate Fra Diavolo is certified Kosher with a blend of imported San Marzano + California Tomatoes with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a small amount of Pear Concentrate.

*Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list*

Seen below, Non-GMO Project verified and certified Gluten-Free and Vegan Fody Spicy Marinara Arrabbiata contains no Garlic or Onions and is made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and is certified as a low FODMAP food; Stonewall Kitchen’s Montebello Organic Arrabbiata Sauce imported from Italy is Non-GMO Project verified made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Biodynamic® Tomato Purée; made in Sicily Seggiano Organic Arrabbiata with Organic Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Non-GMO Project verified and certified Kosher La San Marzano from Italy made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Shown below, Rao’s Arrabbiata Spicy Marinara with Olive Oil from Rao’s restaurant in East Harlem; Amazon-owned Whole Foods 365 Organic Spicy Arrabbiata, and Carbone Arrabbiata Sauce with Olive Oil from famous Michelin-starred Chefs, Mr. Mario Carbone and Mr. Rich Torrisi.

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE SPICY MARINARAS: Bove’s of Vermont Spicy Marinara with Olive Oil is Non-GMO Project verified and certified Gluten-Free; Non-GMO Project verified Monte Bene Spicy Marinara with Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Yo Mama’s Spicy Marinara with Olive Oil and White Wine, and Mezzetta Spicy Italian Plum Tomato with Tomatoes from Italy’s San Marzano region with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Calabrian Chilies which is Non-GMO Project verified, certified Gluten-Free and certified Vegan.

Seen below, Organic and Non-GMO Project verified Organico Bello Spicy Marinara is made with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Organic and Non-GMO Project verified Lucini Spicy Tuscan Tomato Sauce made in Italy which is also certified Kosher made with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Non-GMO Project verified Cucina Antica Spicy Marinara made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Italian San Marzano Tomatoes.

See which Marinara Sauces are Closest To Homemade:

Closest To Homemade® Marinara Sauces

Discover more food + beverages whose ingredients are Closest To Homemade in 275+ categories. Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list.

Closest To Homemade® Master List

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