Home-cooked meals are nutritious and reduce the likelihood of developing allergic reactions.
But what do you do on days when you’re low on energy and cooking from scratch doesn’t sound like a fun activity? Pre-made canned food options like spaghetti can save you from the onerous task of cooking meals when you’re low on energy.
Walking down the canned goods aisle at the local supermarket may leave you wondering which canned spaghetti is nutritious because of the numerous options you’ll come across.
Shopping for canned spaghetti becomes super easy if you know the brands whose products are chock-full of quality ingredients. Whether you’re looking for canned spaghetti to experiment with a new vegan variety or cook up a quick dish to satisfy your nighttime cravings, here are my top 5 recommendations.
Without further ado, let’s check out the 5 best canned spaghetti that satiates hunger pangs while tasting as good as homemade ones.
5 Best Canned Spaghetti [Product Reviews]
1. Campbell’s Canned Spaghetti
With Campbell’s being in business for more than a century, there’s a good chance you have a few of its canned and processed foods in your kitchen. And now it’s time to add Canned Spaghetti from the brand because it’s relished all over the US– that’s what made me order it. Sold as a pack of 12, each canned spaghetti weighs about 15.8 ounces and features easy-to-lift top lids.
Brimming with the goodness of tomato puree, dehydrated cheddar cheese, and natural flavoring, this dish is delicious because of the perfect balance of mild cheese and sweet tomato sauce. What makes Campbell’s Canned Spaghetti my favorite is that it is formulated without MSG (Monosodium glutamate). Ideal for late-night snacks, family dinners, and workday lunches, this delicious dish is ready to eat within 3 minutes of putting it in the microwave oven.
Drawback
I wouldn’t recommend this canned spaghetti to individuals intolerant to lactose and gluten, as it contains gluten, wheat, and milk/dairy, so it may trigger allergies.
Verdict
Campbell’s Canned Spaghetti comes in clean, easy-to-open cans with a long shelf life of 548 days. Despite being formulated without MSG, I found it is neither too sweet nor too salty, but just the right balance between sweet and salty, so vegetarians can go for it without thinking twice.
2. Chef Boyardee Spaghetti And Meatballs
Aside from Campbell’s, canned spaghetti from Chef Boyardee occupies a lot of space in my refrigerator because they make for a quick and convenient meal. For non-vegans, the Spaghetti and Meatballs from Chef Boyardee is a much sought-after option, and why not? Instead of spending hours in the kitchen preparing meatballs and spaghetti sauce, simply microwave it for a minute or so, and your dish will be ready to eat.
What contributes to the delicious flavor is the quality ingredients added to the mix, like tomato puree, enriched wheat flour, and flavorings. Coming to the tasty meatballs, they are made with chicken, pork, and real beef, making it a perfect meal for non-veg lovers. Formulated without artificial ingredients, each of the 24 cans contains 2 servings of meatballs, tomato sauce, and pasta with 9 grams of protein. Oh, and did I mention it comes in 4 flavors?
Drawback
While there isn’t anything amiss about the taste or consistency, I was disappointed to receive dented cans.
Verdict
Mild in taste and creamy in consistency, this canned spaghetti and meatballs from Chef Boyardee cook up quickly, which is why it’s perfect for quick dinners and lunches. Also, I like that it features an easy-open lid that adds to the user’s convenience.
3. Heinz Spaghetti
Heinz Spaghetti is just as versatile as the spaghetti line of Campbell’s and Chef Boyardee. Relatively free from meatballs and other animal products, Heinz Spaghetti is explicitly formulated for vegans. Packed with the goodness of durum wheat semolina, herb extract, citric acid, spice extract, and other ingredients, this canned spaghetti doesn’t only taste great but is highly nutritious. And that’s why I would recommend this to parents looking for a healthy snack for their kids.
Its juicy tomato sauce lends the spaghetti a perfectly sweet yet tangy flavor. To my surprise, this canned spaghetti is low in fat and sugar and contains no added preservatives, artificial colorings, or flavors. Besides the 400g pack, Heinz supplies this tomato sauce spaghetti in 200g and 57 varieties, which is impressive.
Drawback
Heinz Spaghetti is slightly on the steeper side, as you get only 1 can, unlike others that sell canned spaghetti as a pack.
Verdict
Vegans looking for ready-to-eat meals that aren’t unhealthy must go for Heinz Spaghetti because it is tasty and delicious, thanks to the tomato sauce flavor. Best of all is that it’s absolutely free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and colorings, so health-conscious individuals can go for it without thinking twice.
4. Wattie’s Spaghetti In Rich Tomato Sauce
Whether you’re looking for a quick cook food for your office lunch or a healthier splurge, Wattie’s Spaghetti will fit the bill. Wondering why? Well, the USP of Wattie’s Spaghetti line is that it’s fat-free, so you can eat guilt-free as much as you want. Because I relish tomato flavor more than other flavors, I picked the Rich Tomato Sauce variant. Noteworthily, the tanginess and the sweetness are neither too much nor too less but perfectly balanced.
Furthermore, this fat-free option is rich in carbohydrates and lycopene and low in cholesterol. On top of that, it contains zero flavors, preservatives, or colors, making it a healthier alternative to junk foods. I also like that the noodles don’t slide off the toast, as they are thick, so you won’t make a mess while eating it. Not to forget, this rich tomato sauce spaghetti is sold as a pack of 2, which is decent enough.
Drawback
People who don’t prefer spicy foods may find this canned spaghetti a bit spicy to their liking.
Verdict
Containing tasty field-grown tomatoes and fresh spaghetti, Wattie’s Spaghetti is flavorful, and the variety of flavors and spices further enhance its taste. While keeping the product fat-free and low in cholesterol, the brand has made it a good source of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant), which I like the most about it.
5. Chef Boyardee Spaghetti In Tomato Sauce
Don’t have time to open the can, pour the spaghetti-sauce mixture into a plastic bowl and heat it in the microwave? Then, the Chef Boyardee Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce is well a worthy addition to your stack of canned foods. Coming in a 7.5-ounce of a microwaveable cup, this spaghetti is ready to use out of the box. Grab one cup, toss it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and you’re good to go!
Much like its meatball sibling, the brand has kept the formula free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. Instead, it’s packed with only quality ingredients, and that’s what has made it popular among vegan homeowners. Sold as a pack of 12, this spaghetti in tomato sauce offers excellent value for money.
Drawback
People allergic to soy, wheat, egg, and milk should refrain from buying this spaghetti, as it contains all these allergens.
Verdict
As is expected from Chef Boyardee, this spaghetti tastes delicious, thanks to the quality ingredients used in the formulation. Because it’s very filling and comes in 7.5 ounces of microwavable plastic cups, you can carry it on hiking and camping trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What to look for when buying canned spaghetti?
A few factors that will help you choose the best canned spaghetti are as follows:
I. Brand Reputation
With the market flooded with zillions of brands, deciding which brand lives up to its promises and which doesn’t is challenging. Instead of getting lured away with cheap price tags, invest in reputable brands because they do not compromise on quality.
II. Ingredients
Probably, you’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat,”– right?
That means if you eat unhealthy foods, you’ll be unhealthy, and vice versa. So, it’s increasingly important for buyers to check the ingredients used in canned spaghetti. Aside from high-quality ingredients, go for options free from artificial preservatives, colorings, and flavors.
III. Customer Reviews
Always check the customer reviews to know the taste, texture, and shelf life of canned spaghetti. Although short snippets, customer reviews will help you understand if it’s worth the money or a total waste.
Q2. How long does canned spaghetti last?
While it depends on the shelf life, canned spaghetti can last for years, provided the can is in good condition.
Q3. Can canned spaghetti be frozen to extend its shelf life?
Yes, you can freeze canned spaghetti if you wish to extend its shelf life. Make sure to store it in heavy-duty frozen bags or airtight containers before placing it in the freezer.
Verdict
There you have it! The 5 best canned spaghetti that are worthwhile to satisfy pesky hunger pangs or midnight cravings.
All the options on this list are easy-to-cook: pour it onto a bowl, microwave it, and your food is ready! So, which canned spaghetti are you ordering for yourself? If you’re unable to decide, let me help you by letting out my top picks.
No doubt, Campbell’s Canned Spaghetti is my favorite because of its yummy taste. Because it’s formulated without MSG, health-conscious individuals can go for it without worries.
A close second to Campbell’s is Chef Boyardee Spaghetti And Meatballs because it contains real beef, pork, and chicken besides quality ingredients. And as it’s sold as a pack of 24, it’s an excellent value for money.
