The Best Meal Starters 2024

Updated On September 11th, 2022

Looking for the best Meal Starters? You aren't short of choices in 2022. The difficult bit is deciding the best Meal Starters for you, but luckily that's where we can help. Based on testing out in the field with reviews, sells etc, we've created this ranked list of the finest Meal Starters.

Rank Product Name Score
1
Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Vidalia Onion BBQ 18 oz

Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Vidalia Onion BBQ 18 oz

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94%
2
Classico Four Cheese Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz Jar

Classico Four Cheese Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz Jar

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94%
3
Classico Tomato & Basil Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz. Jar

Classico Tomato & Basil Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz. Jar

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92%
4
Ragu Old World Style Meat-Flavored Pasta Sauce with Olive Oil, 66 oz

Ragu Old World Style Meat-Flavored Pasta Sauce with Olive Oil, 66 oz

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90%
5
Not-So-Sloppy-Joe Sloppy Joe Sauce, 14.5 oz Jar

Not-So-Sloppy-Joe Sloppy Joe Sauce, 14.5 oz Jar

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90%
6
Ragu Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, 45 oz, 10 Servings per Container

Ragu Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, 45 oz, 10 Servings per Container

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88%
7
2 12 1 WT OZ FRIED RICE MIX

2 12 1 WT OZ FRIED RICE MIX

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86%
8
Street Kitchen Japanese Teriyaki Asian Scratch Kit - Authentic Flavor Made Easy 9.0z by Passage Foods

Street Kitchen Japanese Teriyaki Asian Scratch Kit - Authentic Flavor Made Easy 9.0z by Passage Foods

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80%
9
Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Spaghetti Pasta Sauce, Kosher, Non-GMO Verified, 24 oz

Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Spaghetti Pasta Sauce, Kosher, Non-GMO Verified, 24 oz

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74%
10
HORMEL Dried Beef, Shelf Stable, 2.5 oz Glass Jar

HORMEL Dried Beef, Shelf Stable, 2.5 oz Glass Jar

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72%

1. Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Vidalia Onion BBQ 18 oz

Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Vidalia Onion BBQ 18 oz
94%

Our Score

This Sweet Baby Rayâs barbecue sauce marries the distinct sweetness of Vidalia⢠Onions with Ray's award-winning pit master BBQ taste. Amazing on burgers, meatloaf, pork, chicken, and so much more. SBRâs Sweet Vidalia⢠Onion is an incredible dipping sauce for nuggets with waffle fries. Or pour it on a hot dog instead of ketchup. It's full flavor, from the South to your mouth!

The garden-sweet taste of Vidalia⢠Onions enhances Ray's award-winning BBQ flavor Brush on meatloaf, beef, chicken, or pork during the last 15 minutes of barbecuing or broiling Pour it onto burgers and hot dogs, or dip it with nuggets and waffle fries Gluten Free and Certified Kosher

2. Classico Four Cheese Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz Jar

Classico Four Cheese Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz Jar
94%

Our Score

More cheese, more mmm's and ahh's around the table. Classico Four Cheese Pasta Sauce is easy to prepare and offers a rich, flavorful taste. Made with real ingredients, our sauce features a rich blend of ricotta, Provolone, aged Parmesan and Romano cheese. Simply simmer and serve our sauce with your favorite dish. Use our pasta sauce in a classic spaghetti and meatballs dish or a pasta casserole, on your homemade pizza, or as a dipping sauce for garlic bread. Our value size jar of pasta sauce contains about 10 servings, making it great for preparing large meals for family and friends. Be sure to refrigerate each 44-ounce jar of sauce after opening. Classico pasta sauce has a flavor for everyone in your family, from Four Cheese Pasta Sauce to Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce. Make it yours, for your homemade dish.

One 44 oz value size jar of Classico Four Cheese Pasta Sauce Classico delivers an authentic, delicious taste to bring flavor to your next homemade dish Made with real ingredients Just simmer and serve our ready-to-use sauce with your favorite dish Our tomato sauce is crafted with real ingredients for an authentic, hearty taste A delicious red sauce for classic spaghetti and meatballs or your pasta casserole Try our classic tomato sauce on your homemade pizza or as a dipping sauce for garlic bread Packaged in resealable and recyclable glass jar; refrigerate Classico sauce after opening and enjoy within 5 days Our value size jar of pasta sauce contains about 10 servings, making it great for preparing large meals for family and friends

3. Classico Tomato & Basil Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz. Jar

Classico Tomato & Basil Spaghetti Pasta Sauce Value Size, 44 oz. Jar
92%

Our Score

Classico Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce uses fresh ingredients to deliver authentic Italian flavor to your family's favorite dishes. Our tomato and basil spaghetti sauce perfectly combines ripe tomatoes with basil, garlic and onion for a delicious spaghetti sauce that tastes like home. Simmer and serve our gluten-free tomato sauce in your chicken parmesan, lasagna recipe or grilled chicken pasta for a classic flavor that keeps them coming back for more. Also great as a dipping sauce, Classico can be served with mozzarella sticks or garlic bread and makes a tasty pizza sauce. Refrigerate Classico spaghetti sauce after opening. Packaged in a 44-ounce resealable mason jar. If you like Classico pasta sauce, try our alfredo or pesto sauce too!

One 44 oz jar of Classico Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce Classico Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce is a ready-to-use spaghetti sauce made with fresh ingredients This bulk pasta sauce is made with a combination of red-ripe tomatoes, basil, garlic and onions that adds Italian flavor Our Italian style spaghetti sauce is gluten-free Simmer and serve this tomato sauce with your favorite pasta Packaged in a resealable & reusable mason jar Refrigerate Classico spaghetti sauce after opening

4. Ragu Old World Style Meat-Flavored Pasta Sauce with Olive Oil, 66 oz

Ragu Old World Style Meat-Flavored Pasta Sauce with Olive Oil, 66 oz
90%

Our Score

Indulge in the traditional taste of Ragú Old World Style Pasta Sauce Flavored with Meat. This sauce is made with Olive Oil and crafted with vine-ripened tomatoes and Italian spices, delivering a smooth Old World Style flavor that you know and love. The sauce is made from farm-grown tomatoes, cooked ground beef, and a blend of herbs and spices, resulting in a well-rounded taste. This shelf-stable sauce is a great option for family dinner, made from an authentic recipe using high-quality ingredients. It all started from an Italian mother's kitchen where an age-old recipe was crafted for an authentic Italian flavor. You can use this savory pasta sauce flavored with meat with penne, stuffed shells with ricotta cheese, pasta primavera, or even in a crockpot for an Italian-style pot-roast. Ragú has been making Italian sauces inspired by an Italian mother's recipes for over 80 years, providing a familiar taste that feels like home. Remember to refrigerate this 66 oz. jar of tomato spaghetti pasta sauce after opening to maintain freshness.

One 66 oz jar of Ragu Old World Style Pasta Sauce Flavored with Meat, Made with Olive Oil Traditional pasta sauce with familiar flavor - Classically crafted red sauce made with olive oil, farm-grown tomatoes, cooked ground beef and herbs and spices for a rich, well-rounded flavor that reminds you of home Quality ingredients, delicious taste - Tomato sauce made from an authentic recipe with high quality ingredients to create a red sauce that is perfect for weeknight family dinners Make easy, Italian-inspired dinners - Ragu sauce brings flavor and quality so you can easily create delicious Italian meals in minutes that you and the kids can enjoy any day of the week Versatile Italian flavor - Use this sauce to create dishes like pasta primavera, stuffed shells with ricotta cheese or simply add to cooked noodles or vegetable as a spaghetti pasta sauce Endless recipes - Create mouthwatering meals you and your family with love like stuffed shells with ricotta cheese or pasta primavera Crafted with Passion since 1937 - Trusted for over 80 years to bring families together around the dinner table, Ragu pasta sauces are perfect for a classic family dinner Cook like a Mother - The timeless Ragu sauce that began in an Italian mother's kitchen allows anyone to make Italian style pasta dishes at home Shellfish-Free

5. Not-So-Sloppy-Joe Sloppy Joe Sauce, 14.5 oz Jar

Not-So-Sloppy-Joe Sloppy Joe Sauce, 14.5 oz Jar
90%

Our Score

Enjoy a quick meal with this Hormel Not-So-Sloppy-Joe Sloppy Joe Sauce. It makes a wonderful option for families with busy schedules, so it can be served with peace of mid. The 14.5-oz jar can be stored in a cabinet or on a shelf until mealtime. It is easy to use; just add 1 lb of freshly ground turkey or beef, then brown, mix and serve. It is offered in either a single or a 3-pack of glass jars to meet household needs. Put flavor back on the menu with this hearty sauce.

Contains one 14.5 oz can of Hormel Not-So-Sloppy-Joe Sloppy Joe Sauce Great for pizza; pasta; subs; dips This kosher product is all natural, gluten free, and free from preservatives Great as a filling for tortillas or pita bread Use to top salads, baked potatoes and fries

6. Ragu Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, 45 oz, 10 Servings per Container

Ragu Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, 45 oz, 10 Servings per Container
88%

Our Score

Savor the hearty taste of Ragú Chunky Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce. Brimming with hearty vegetables, diced tomatoes and spices, our Chunky Sauces stay close to the roots and create a well-balanced flavor in any meal. Vine ripened tomatoes and hearty mushrooms stand out in this spaghetti sauce for a chunky texture and seasoned taste. A great option for family dinner, Ragú Chunky Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce is made with high quality ingredients. Cook like a mother with a chunky red sauce that’s chocked full of flavor and vegetables. The savory mushroom and tomato pasta sauce can be mixed with penne, layered with lasagna and ricotta cheese, added to vegetable pasta primavera for a tasty dinner you and the kids will enjoy or used as an appetizer in mushroom quesadillas, soups, or dips. For over 80 years, Ragú has made Italian pasta sauces inspired by an Italian mother's recipes for a familiar taste that feels like home. To maintain freshness, refrigerate this 24 oz. jar of mushroom tomato sauce after opening.

One 45 oz jar of Ragu Chunky Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce with Hearty Mushrooms and Diced Tomatoes Sauce that stays close to the roots - Made with chopped vegetables that you can see for a well-balanced texture and flavor, this mushroom pasta sauce is brimming with hearty mushroom and tomato pieces Quality ingredients, delicious taste - Red sauce made from an authentic recipe with high quality ingredients to create a tomato sauce that is perfect for weeknight family dinners Make easy, Italian-inspired dinners - Ragu sauce brings flavor and quality so you can create delicious Italian family meals in minutes Versatile Italian flavor - Use this chunky mushroom Ragu pasta sauce to create dishes like vegetable pasta primavera, mushroom lasagna or add to cooked noodles as a traditional spaghetti sauce for family dinner Endless recipes - Create mouthwatering meals you and your family with love like stuffed shells with ricotta cheese or pasta primavera Crafted with Passion since 1937 - Trusted for over 80 years to bring families together around the dinner table, Ragu pasta sauces are perfect for a classic family dinner Cook like a Mother - The timeless Ragu pasta sauce that began in an Italian mother's kitchen allows anyone to make Italian style pasta dishes at home

7. 2 12 1 WT OZ FRIED RICE MIX

2 12 1 WT OZ FRIED RICE MIX
86%

Our Score

Kikkoman Fried Rice Seasoning Mix is a quick and easy meal solution for the perfect fried rice every time. Made with only the finest ingredients, including traditionally brewed Kikkoman Soy Sauce and authentic spices. Kikkoman Fried Rice Seasoning Mix is made to the highest standards of quality that consumers have come to expect from Kikkoman.

Kikkoman Fried Rice Mix, 1 oz

8. Street Kitchen Japanese Teriyaki Asian Scratch Kit - Authentic Flavor Made Easy 9.0z by Passage Foods

Street Kitchen Japanese Teriyaki Asian Scratch Kit - Authentic Flavor Made Easy 9.0z by Passage Foods
80%

Our Score

Indulge in the captivating flavors of Japan with Street Kitchen Japanese Teriyaki Chicken – a culinary journey that promises a taste of elegance, simplicity, and authenticity. In just 20 minutes, you'll uncover a world where each dish is a work of art, shaped by knowledge, skills, and an intricate understanding of the relationship between food, nature, and the ever-unfolding seasons.

Unveiling the Japanese Culinary Art: The allure of Japanese cuisine lies in its apparent simplicity, a facade that belies the artistry behind it. Like the nation itself, every dish is steeped in elegance and delicacy, a result of the careful orchestration of flavors, textures, and presentation. This is no accident – it's the result of mastering the dance between food and nature. The Beauty of Harmony: With time, you'll realize that the harmony you experience is no coincidence. It's a deliberate fusion of food styling, presentation, and the interplay of flavors and textures. Each dish graces the table in small, assorted bowls and plates, creating a symphony of taste and aesthetics. An underlying principle is abundantly evident – there's always enough to share, embodying generosity and warmth. Inspired by Japan, Embrace Teriyaki: If curiosity stirs within you, sate it by starting your culinary adventure with your interpretation of Teriyaki. Imagine a plate of fragrant rice adorned with your unique Teriyaki creation, accompanied by the sweetness of Asian pickles. Channel the essence of Japanese cooking philosophy – infuse your efforts with joy and care, much like the Japanese do. A Journey Awaits: Japan's culinary world awaits your exploration. Peel back the layers of simplicity, delve into the elegance of presentation, and experience the flavors that mirror the changing seasons. As you embark on this journey, you'll not only indulge your taste buds but also imbue your cooking with the joy and wonder that nature's bounty brings.

9. Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Spaghetti Pasta Sauce, Kosher, Non-GMO Verified, 24 oz

Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Spaghetti Pasta Sauce, Kosher, Non-GMO Verified, 24 oz
74%

Our Score

Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Sauce offers a sauce that is slow-cooked to perfection. For a sauce where Ingredients come first, this Victoria pasta sauce has a delicious flavor with Italian heritage great for any pasta recipe. Our Fradiavolo Spaghetti Sauce is Gluten-free, Non-GMO project verified; made with no artificial colors and no high-fructose corn syrup. This tomato sauce is blended with imported Italian tomatoes, fresh onion, fresh garlic, fresh basil, imported olive oil, crushed red pepper and sea salt for a great taste that your family will love. Victoriaâs sauce is made with no water and no tomato paste fillers. Victoria believes that dedication to the finest ingredients and the best cooking process is worth the time and effort. To maintain freshness, refrigerate this 24 oz. jar of Victoria pasta sauce after opening.

One 24 oz glass jar of Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Spaghetti Pasta Sauce No Preservatives/No Artificial Preservatives Gluten Free Victoria Fradiavolo Premium Sauce is easy to use and should be refrigerated after opening to maintain freshness until you are ready to enjoy. Made with no water and no tomato paste fillers

10. HORMEL Dried Beef, Shelf Stable, 2.5 oz Glass Jar

HORMEL Dried Beef, Shelf Stable, 2.5 oz Glass Jar
72%

Our Score

HORMEL Dried Beef is a fully cooked, ground, formed and sliced beef that provides a delicous savory flavor. It is shelf stable so it makes a great pantry staple to keep on hand to add to casseroles, quiche or in the traditional creamed chipped beef on toast! Each serving provides 8 grams of protein and 70 calories per serving. It is gluten free and can be eaten right out of the jar. Includes on 2.5 oz glass jar of HORMEL Dried Beef. All trademarks, logos and images are owned by Hormel Foods Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Copyright Hormel Foods, LLC.

Includes one 2.5 oz glass jar of HORMEL Dried Beef Shelf stable pantry staple; Keep on hand for quick meals HORMEL Dried Beef has 8 grams of protein and 70 calories per serving; Gluten Free Adds a delicious savory flavor to casseroles, quiche or sandwiches Hormel Dried Beef is fully cooked, ground, formed, sliced beef


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