Ragu cheese sauce is often marketed as an easy, convenient way to add cheesy flavor to pasta, vegetables, and more. However, some consumers question whether Ragu cheese sauce contains real cheese or is made with artificial ingredients. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick answer to this question before diving into more details.
Quick Answer
Ragu cheese sauce does contain real cheese, but not as the main ingredient. The primary ingredients in Ragu cheese sauces are water and vegetable oils. Real cheese, such as Romano and Parmesan, is further down the ingredients list. So while Ragu cheese sauce does have real cheese, the cheese flavor likely comes more from artificial flavorings than real cheese.
Examining the Ingredients
To understand whether Ragu cheese sauce contains real cheese, we need to examine the ingredients list on the packaging. Here are the ingredients for Ragu’s Classic Alfredo Cheese Sauce:
| Water | Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Canola) |
| Cheese Cultures | Salt |
| Milk Protein Concentrate | Natural Flavors |
| Corn Starch | Potassium Chloride |
| Onion Powder | Garlic Powder |
| Dried Parmesan Cheese (Part-skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes) | Dried Romano Cheese (Part-skim Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes) |
| Oleoresin Paprika | Annatto Extract Color |
As you can see, the main ingredients in Ragu cheese sauce are water and oils. Cheese ingredients like Parmesan and Romano are present, but they are much further down the list. This indicates that real cheese makes up only a small percentage of the overall product.
Additionally, Ragu cheese sauce contains “natural flavors.” These are often used in processed foods to replicate or enhance flavors through artificial means. So while Ragu sauce has some real cheese, the strong cheesy taste likely comes more from artificial flavors than real cheese.
Purpose of Primary Ingredients
Now that we see the main ingredients are water and oils, it’s helpful to understand their purpose:
- Water – Thins out the sauce to the desired consistency. Also a cost-effective filler ingredient.
- Vegetable oils – Add smooth, creamy texture and carry flavorings.
The water and oils help create the smooth, liquid texture we associate with cheese sauces. Real cheese alone would create a much thicker sauce, so Ragu relies on water and oils for the right consistency at a lower cost.
How Much Real Cheese is in Ragu Sauce?
Given that water and oils are the primary ingredients in Ragu cheese sauce, just how much real cheese is in the product? Here are some estimates:
- Parmesan cheese – Less than 2% of total product
- Romano cheese – Less than 2% of total product
- Total cheese – Less than 5% of total product
These percentages demonstrate that real cheese makes up only a tiny fraction of Ragu cheese sauces. The Parmesan and Romano provide some authentic cheese flavor, but the majority comes from artificial flavors and emulsifying agents.
Cheese Requirements for Labeling
For a product to be legally labeled as “cheese sauce” in the United States, it must contain a minimum of 6% real cheese. Ragu cheese sauces appear to meet this bare minimum requirement with around 5% real cheese between the Parmesan and Romano.
However, many consumers expect a product labeled “cheese sauce” to contain significantly more real cheese. While meeting the minimal requirements for labeling, Ragu relies primarily on non-cheese ingredients to create the product’s texture and cheesy taste.
Nutritional Content of Ragu Cheese Sauce
When evaluating how much real cheese is in Ragu sauce, it’s also helpful to examine the nutritional content. Here are the nutrition facts for a 1/4 cup serving of Ragu Classic Alfredo sauce:
| Calories | 80 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 5mg |
| Sodium | 340mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Protein | 2g |
Real cheese is high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Since Ragu cheese sauce is low in these nutritional components, it’s another indication that real cheese makes up only a small percentage of the product.
Milk Fat Content
Cheese sauces made with real cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan contain significant amounts of milk fat. Ragu cheese sauce contains 1g of saturated fat per serving, translating to around 2-4% milk fat. This is far less than what would come from real cheese.
Again, the nutrition facts confirm Ragu uses just enough real cheese to meet labeling regulations, while relying on other ingredients to make up the bulk of the product.
Price Difference Between Ragu and Real Cheese
The minimal amount of real cheese in Ragu sauce is also evident when you compare the price to real cheese:
- Ragu cheese sauce – About $3 per 16 oz jar
- Parmesan cheese – About $6 per 8 oz
- Cheddar cheese – About $4 per 8 oz
Real cheeses are significantly more expensive per ounce compared to Ragu cheese sauce. This large price difference highlights the fact that real cheese makes up only a tiny fraction of Ragu’s product.
Why Ragu Uses Minimal Real Cheese
Ragu can keep prices low by minimizing the amount of pricey real cheese. Instead, they rely on water, oils, and artificial flavors to mimic cheese flavor at a lower cost. This allows them to maximize profit margins while legally using the term “cheese sauce.”
Taste Test Between Ragu and Real Cheese
A taste test comparing Ragu cheese sauce to real cheese sauces also demonstrates the difference:
| Sauce | Taste | Texture | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ragu Classic Alfredo | Mild cheesy flavor, tastes artificial | Thin, overly smooth | More oily than cheesy |
| Jarred Alfredo Sauce | Sharp cheesy flavor | Heavier, coats the tongue | Rich and indulgent |
| Homemade with Parmesan | Tangy, complex cheese flavor | Smooth and rich | Real, authentic cheese sauce |
The homemade sauce with real Parmesan achieves a true cheese flavor and texture. The Ragu has a thinner consistency closer to oily margarine than real cheese sauce. This comparison highlights how minimally Ragu sauce uses real cheese.
Difficult to Substitute for Real Cheese
With its distinctly artificial flavors and thin texture, Ragu cheese sauce does not make a satisfactory substitute for real cheese-based sauces in most recipes. Dishes requiring real cheese flavor and richness will likely be disappointed by Ragu’s product.
What Types of Cheese are Used in Ragu?
As we learned from the ingredients list earlier, Ragu primarily uses small amounts of Parmesan and Romano cheese:
- Parmesan – Hard Italian cheese with rich, sharp flavor
- Romano – Similar to Parmesan but more pungent
These cheese varieties are frequently used in Italian cooking and Alfredo sauces. Ragu includes just enough to provide an authentic cheesy taste, while keeping costs down compared to using all real cheese.
No Cheddar or Mozzarella
You won’t find more familiar cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella in Ragu sauces. These cost more than Parmesan and Romano. Since Ragu only uses a small amount of real cheese, they stick with the most affordable varieties.
Quality of Cheese Used in Ragu
Ragu uses real Parmesan and Romano, but they don’t advertise the cheese as being imported from Italy or made from high-quality milk. The cheese is likely produced domestically from cow’s milk.
There are no specific regulations on the quality of Parmesan or Romano for it to be labeled as such. Ragu uses the bare minimum real cheese for flavoring and marketing purposes, not for premium quality.
No “Fresh” Cheese
You also won’t find fresh mozzarella or ricotta in Ragu sauces. Fresh cheeses have higher moisture content and shorter shelf life. Ragu uses primarily aged, hard cheeses that last longer in jars on store shelves.
Should You Make Your Own Cheese Sauce Instead?
Given that Ragu cheese sauce contains minimal real cheese, should you bother buying it? Or would making your own cheese sauce be better?
Here are some pros and cons of making homemade cheese sauce versus using Ragu:
| Homemade Cheese Sauce | Ragu Cheese Sauce |
|---|---|
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Homemade cheese sauce made with quality ingredients offers the best taste and texture. However, Ragu is significantly more convenient and affordable. So the choice depends on your priorities in terms of flavor, quality, cost, and preparation time.
Easy Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe
If you do opt to make your own cheese sauce, here is an easy recipe to try:
Simple Homemade Cheese Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/4 tsp ground mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Mix in flour and stir for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar, Parmesan, and mustard until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly before serving.
This quick cheese sauce pairs perfectly with steamed vegetables, chicken, rice, or pasta. Adjust cheese varieties and seasoning to suit your tastes.
Conclusion
Ragu cheese sauce does contain some real cheese in the form of Parmesan and Romano. However, these make up no more than 5% of the total product. Water, oils, and artificial flavors are the main drivers of Ragu’s flavor and texture.
The minimal real cheese allows Ragu to meet legal labeling standards at a low cost. But for optimal flavor and texture, homemade cheese sauce with higher quality ingredients is superior.
In the end, Ragu cheese sauce provides convenience at the expense of authenticity. The decision depends on whether your priority is ease or cheese flavor. But understanding the reality of Ragu’s ingredients allows you to make an informed choice.