A good low carb spaghetti sauce is essential in any keto kitchen. Such sauces have so many uses for low carb dieters, like with shirataki noodles and zoodles.
You can even use them on keto pizza. The first step is to find some good sauces.
This isn’t as easy as it sounds, as many brands add in sugar or other unappealing ingredients. The same is true for recipes.
To get around that problem, this post highlights various options for you to try. Some of them come from the grocery store, while others are sauces that you can make yourself.
Low Carb Spaghetti Sauce Recipes
If you have the time, making your own spaghetti sauce is always the healthiest choice. This gives you full control over the ingredients.
Not only do you know what went into the sauce, but you can also tweak the flavor. Some recipe writers even give you directions for ways to change up their sauce.
Easy Keto Marinara Sauce – from I Breathe I’m Hungry
The most interesting thing about this Easy Keto Marinara Sauce is that the recipe isn’t cooked. You don’t need to chop anything either.
This makes for a very fast and easy sauce. The whole process takes just 5 minutes from start to finish.
As Mellissa explains, not cooking the sauce helps you to get all the rich flavor that tomatoes offer. Some of this flavor is normally lost in the simmering process.
Traditional Marinara Sauce – from Gnom-Gnom
As the name suggests, this Traditional Marinara Sauce follows a more common approach. This includes simmering over a low heat for around 15 minutes. I love how rich and flavorful the sauce looks after cooking.
The recipe is also keto, paleo and Whole-30 compliant, making it perfect for many different people.
Zucchini Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce – from Gimme Delicious
This Zucchini Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce is a little different. Firstly, the recipe is for a meal rather than only for the sauce. You could make the sauce on its own if you wanted to, but the entire dish is worth trying.
Additionally, the sauce is cream-based. This is different than traditional spaghetti sauces and is very appealing. If nothing else, the recipe is perfect when you want something different.
Hearty Tomato Meat Sauce – from Peace, Love and Low Carb
Unlike the other recipes, this Hearty Tomato Meat Sauce includes meat and mushrooms, along with the spaghetti sauce itself. This makes it a decent meal on its own. The recipe is versatile and you can choose which type of ground meat you use.
Another cool thing is how you serve the sauce. Kyndra serves it on a bed of spaghetti squash noodles. You could use any other low carb pasta alternative. You might even pair it with cauliflower rice or a keto bread alternative.
This Keto Marinara Sauce is another fast and easy option. It takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and contains 2 net grams of carbs per serving.
The consistency makes this sauce perfect for keto pizza or for dipping. You could also use it with shirataki noodles or zoodles if you felt like it.
Reliable Store-Bought Brands
Homemade sauces are fantastic, but they’re not always practical. You’ll sometimes need a faster solution. Store-bought products can do this. You just need to open the jar and go.
The trick is to find reliable brands. Too many companies add sugar or various additives. That’s not appealing.
Thankfully, there are some good products out there. The ones below are some of the best low carb options that you can use.
Carb content: 4 grams total carbs (3 grams sugars)
The ingredients label alone shows why this marinara sauce is so appealing. There are no additives in sight. The company simply uses the same ingredients you would in your kitchen.
The use of garlic, basil, pepper and oregano should create a great flavor – perfect for many recipes.
Ingredients: Organic Italian tomatoes, organic onions, organic extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, organic basil, organic garlic, organic white pepper, organic black pepper.
Serving size: 1/2 cup (113 grams)
Carb content: 4 grams total carbs (4 grams sugars)
Here’s another great brand to try. Not only does it use natural ingredients, but it is USDA verified organic. The tomatoes used are imported from Italy, so you’re getting the best of the best.
This Spicy Marinara version is ideal if you like your meals to have a bit of a kick. If not, the brand also has a Tomato Basil and a Marinara flavor.
Carb content: 3 grams total carbs (2 grams sugars)
The brand name is a little tongue-in-cheek, but this marinara sauce is another good selection. One of the best parts is the ingredients list. The brand relies on natural ingredients, including different choices than other products.
This should make taste of the sauce unique. The sauce was also designed to be keto and paleo-friendly.
One final good thing is the reviews. Customers are particularly fond of the flavor, frequently saying that this sauce tastes much better than competitors. You end up with a sauce that is similar to homemade, without all the effort.
Ingredients: Imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes, tomatoes, fresh onions, extra virgin olive oil, salt, basil, white pepper, black pepper.
Serving size: 1/2 cup (113 grams)
Carb content: 8 grams total carbs (5 grams sugars)
This sauce is a little higher in carbs than some of the others, but it’s still an excellent choice. As always, sugar isn’t added, so the carbs come from the tomatoes themselves.
There are multiple flavors to choose from, including a Spicy Arrabbiata and a Tuscany Pumpkin pasta sauce. They’re all gluten-free and relatively low in sodium.
This list covers just some of the many low carb marinara options. You can also find your own – and there are plenty to choose from.
If you’re going to do this, there are a few key areas that you should keep in mind.
1. Serving Size
It’s easy to misjudge how much sauce you are using per serving of a recipe. Even estimating portion sizes can be tricky.
You’ll need to pay close attention to the serving size, especially if you’re on a keto diet. After all, the sauces do contain some carbs. These can add up.
2. The Ingredients
The ingredients in a sauce impact more than just the flavor. Some ingredients can help to promote health, while others are less appealing.
For example, some store-bought brands rely on preservatives and artificial flavors.
Reading the ingredients labels can help you find the best products.
You can focus on products with as few ingredients as possible. These will tend to be more natural.
When you’re making your own sauce, the ingredients list may be short or long.
A shorter list can mean the recipe is easier to make. You’re also more likely to have the ingredients on hand.
A longer list may lead to a sauce with a more complex flavor. The sauce could also include herbs and spices that promote health.
Look for recipes that suit your needs and don’t be afraid to experiment. Many people find that they tweak recipes over time. This helps to create a sauce that’s perfect for your needs.
3. The Rest of the Meal
Think about what the sauce is being used for too. For example, some sauces will be perfect for keto zoodle recipes, while others may not be.
You might find that you need a few sauces in your rotation, so that you have a good one for every situation.
Final Thoughts
These sauces all show that you can have spaghetti sauce on a low carb diet. You’re not limited to just one boring sauce either. Instead, there is a variety of options to choose from, each with their own appealing aspects.
Want to Improve Your Health?
Better health starts in the kitchen, with the food that you eat and the meals you prepare. Getting the best outcomes involves making good choices about the food and the ingredients that you use.
