Who Would Have Thought Iowa Is The “Sauciest” State In The U.S!?

Who Would Have Thought Iowa Is The “Sauciest” State In The U.S.!?

Can you believe it's Iowa and South Dakota that are bringing the heat when it comes to pasta sauce passion?

The folks at Instacart came out with the numbers on “How each state's pasta sauce obsession compares to the national average in 2024.”

Iowa has claimed the championship title for pasta sauce consumption, ordering a whopping 49% more than the national average.

Hot on Iowa's heels are Wisconsin (46%), West Virginia (43%), Delaware (36%), and South Dakota (35%) completing our top five sauciest states.

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the spectrum, California (-30%), Idaho (-28%), and Maine (-28%) show considerably less enthusiasm for pasta sauce, ranking at the bottom of our nationwide sauce survey.

Some of the most popular comfort food pasta dishes in Iowa include...

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs - This American staple is probably as popular in Iowa as it is throughout the Midwest, often made with hearty meat sauce and generous portions.

Cheesy Baked Casseroles - Dishes like baked ziti or pasta casseroles with ground beef would appeal to the Midwestern love of comfort food, especially during cold winters.

Mac and Cheese - Both homestyle and upscale versions with additions like bacon or breadcrumbs would likely be favorites given the region's dairy production.

Chicken Alfredo - This creamy pasta dish fits well with Midwestern flavor preferences for dairy-rich comfort foods.

Tater Tot Hotdish with Pasta - A Midwestern specialty that sometimes incorporates pasta along with the traditional ground beef, cream soup, and tater tot topping.