Tomato products, canned, sauce, with herbs and cheese
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a savory, ready-to-use canned sauce where the bright acidity of tomatoes is mellowed by herbs like oregano and basil, and enriched with the salty, umami depth of melted cheese. The texture is typically smooth and thick, perfect for coating pasta or serving as a base. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie, high-fiber option that provides a modest protein boost from the cheese.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its instant flavor transformation—a spoonful turns plain pasta or vegetables into a comforting, herb-flecked dish. It embodies the convenience and heartiness of pantry cooking, offering a taste of Italian-inspired comfort food in minutes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary concern is often high sodium content, common in canned goods and cheese, which can be problematic for blood pressure. It may also contain added sugars or thickeners. To mitigate, rinse pasta before adding sauce, pair with fresh, low-sodium sides, and check labels for 'no salt added' versions.
Key benefits
- Low in calories at 59 kcal per 100g.
- Good source of dietary fiber (2.2g per 100g).
- Contains lycopene, an antioxidant from tomatoes.
- Provides a modest protein boost from cheese.
- Convenient, shelf-stable base for quick meals.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The herbs commonly blended into this sauce, like oregano and basil, are part of the 'Italian seasoning' mix that was popularized in the United States by Italian-American immigrants, not necessarily in Italy itself.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 83.4 g |
| Energy | 59.0 kcal |
| Energy | 247 kj |
| Protein | 2.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.9 g |
| Ash | 2.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 37.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.87 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 54.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 356 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 543 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.36 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.17 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.19 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.90 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 10.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 1.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.28 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 49.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 987 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.63 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.46 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.38 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.35 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.82 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 3.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.02 g |
| Threonine | 0.06 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.07 g |
| Leucine | 0.11 g |
| Lysine | 0.11 g |
| Methionine | 0.03 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.07 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.06 g |
| Valine | 0.08 g |
| Arginine | 0.09 g |
| Histidine | 0.05 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.20 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.64 g |
| Glycine | 0.04 g |
| Proline | 0.11 g |
| Serine | 0.08 g |
FAQ
How is this different from regular canned tomato sauce?
It is pre-seasoned with herbs and contains cheese, adding fat, protein, and a richer flavor profile. Regular tomato sauce is typically just tomatoes, sometimes with salt.
Can I use it as a pizza sauce?
Yes, it works well as a quick pizza sauce base, though you may want to simmer it briefly to thicken it further for optimal results on dough.
Is it suitable for a vegan diet?
Generally no, because it contains cheese. Always check the ingredients list for dairy derivatives like whey or casein.