One cup of Annie’s Bernie O’s has 130 calories, 660 mg sodium, and 4 g added sugar, based on the brand’s label.
Calories
Added Sugar
Sodium
Standard Bowl
- Heat 1 cup.
- Add raw veg on side.
- Drink water or seltzer.
Baseline
Lighter Mix
- ½ can + veg.
- Stir in broccoli or peas.
- Finish with lemon.
Lower sodium
Hearty Upgrade
- Full can + protein.
- Add ½ cup beans or chicken.
- Herbs at finish.
Filling
Bernie O’s Nutrition Facts — What The Label Means
Annie’s canned pasta lists calories, fat, carbs, sugars, protein, and minerals per 1-cup serving. The figures below come straight from the brand page and give you a quick read on energy, sweetness, and salt.
Nutrient | Per 1 Cup | %DV |
---|---|---|
Calories | 130 | — |
Total Fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0% |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium | 660 mg | 29% |
Total Carbohydrate | 28 g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 7% |
Total Sugars | 8 g | — |
Added Sugars | 4 g | 8% |
Protein | 4 g | — |
Potassium | 240 mg | 6% |
Iron | 0.7 mg | 4% |
Calories land on the lighter side for a pasta bowl. Sugar sits in single digits, with half listed as added. The sticking point is salt: 660 milligrams per cup brings you close to a third of a day’s cap if you follow the FDA’s 2,300 mg limit. If salt runs high in your day, the simple tweaks below help you keep the cozy taste while trimming the total.
Ingredients Snapshot And What They Do
The label lists water, wheat-based pasta, tomato paste, cane sugar, sea salt, corn starch, a little cheddar, and pantry spices. Tomato paste brings color and a gentle tang; starch thickens the sauce so it hugs the rings; a touch of cheese gives creamy notes kids love. The brand page also states no artificial flavors or synthetic colors, and the pasta is certified organic. Always check your can, since formulas can change.
Allergens And Label Calls
The can lists wheat and milk. If you’re feeding mixed diets, that callout matters. The product page also highlights USDA Organic and non-GMO. Those tags speak to sourcing, not nutrition, but many shoppers want both.
Portions, Appetites, And Real-World Serving Sizes
One serving equals one cup. A standard 15-ounce can yields roughly two servings once heated. For a small kid lunch, ½ to 1 cup often hits the spot, especially with fruit or a veg side. For a teen or adult, plan on a full cup as a side or up to the whole can as a base, then round it out with protein and produce so the plate isn’t all starch.
How To Build A Better Bowl
Match the portion to the plate, pair with volume foods, and add protein. These combos keep energy steady and help the salt number feel less steep:
- Add beans: stir in white beans or chickpeas for fiber and 6–8 grams of protein per ½ cup cooked.
- Fold in greens: a handful of spinach wilts down and adds potassium that pairs nicely with a salty item.
- Swap half for plain pasta: stretch the sauce with cooked small rings to trim sodium per bite.
- Egg on top: a soft-scrambled egg adds about 6 grams of protein with negligible salt.
- Finish with acid, not salt: squeeze lemon or add a splash of vinegar to brighten flavor.
Label Math: What The Numbers Mean For You
Energy And Macros
At 130 calories per cup, you’re looking at a light base that skews toward carbs with a small bump of protein and almost no fat. That’s why it heats fast but doesn’t always keep you full for long. Add protein and a produce side, and you’ll get staying power without piling on more salt or sugar.
Sugar And Sweetness
The panel lists 8 grams total sugar, with 4 grams counted as added. Part of that comes from tomato’s natural sugars; the rest is a small dose of cane sugar in the sauce. If you prefer less sweetness, cut the sauce with extra tomato puree or stir in plain cooked rings. The texture stays; the flavor leans savory.
Sodium And Smarter Swaps
With 660 milligrams per cup, salt is the limiter. Make the serving feel bigger without moving the number. Start with ½ cup, add a mound of steamed broccoli or peas, and finish with a protein boost. You keep the comfort cues and get more food volume per teaspoon of salt. For context on daily targets, the American Heart Association sets a 2,300-milligram ceiling and a 1,500-milligram goal for most adults—see their guidance here.
Who This Works For
Busy Weeknights
Short on time? Heat a cup, add a bagged salad on the side, and dinner’s done. Speed is the draw. Salt stays fixed per cup, so plate design does the heavy lifting.
Kid Lunches
Heat in the morning and pack in a thermos. Send cut fruit and snap peas on the side. That mix hits carbs, fiber, and color, and it keeps little eaters happy.
Budget Stretchers
Use half a can and bulk with pantry beans and frozen veg. You’ll get two or three plates from one can without a bland result.
Compare Canned Pasta Styles
Not all tomato-sauced ring pasta lands the same. Macros and salt swing by brand and recipe. Here’s a broad view pulled from similar items in public nutrition databases; use it when the exact label isn’t handy.
Style | Typical Per Cup | Notes |
---|---|---|
Plain Rings In Tomato Sauce | 120–160 kcal; 400–700 mg sodium | Lean on carbs; wide salt range. |
Rings With Cheese Sauce | 140–190 kcal; 500–800 mg sodium | Often sweeter and thicker. |
Rings With Meatballs | 180–260 kcal; 600–900 mg sodium | More protein and fat per cup. |
If you want a simple yardstick for salt goals, the FDA education page pegs the adult limit at 2,300 milligrams per day. That single number helps you map how a cup of sauced pasta fits into your day and where you might trim elsewhere.
Heating, Storage, And Safety Notes
Heat Gently
Warm in a saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts. Stir often so the sauce doesn’t scorch and the pasta stays springy.
Leftovers
Cool quickly and refrigerate in a covered container for up to three days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. If the can looks damaged or swells before opening, toss it.
Ingredient Tweaks You Can Make
Boost Protein
Fold in cooked lentils, shredded chicken, or cottage cheese. Each brings texture and staying power with little extra salt when you choose plain options.
Dial Up Veggies
Stir in carrot ribbons, zucchini shreds, or diced peppers while heating. These soften fast and spread color and crunch across the bowl.
Flavor Without Salt
Add oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, or garlic powder. A drizzle of olive oil at the end adds mouthfeel without moving sodium.
FAQ-Style Clarifications Without The FAQ Block
Is This Vegan?
No—there’s cheddar in the ingredient list. If you need dairy-free, this can won’t fit that box.
Is It Gluten-Free?
No. The pasta uses wheat flour. For someone who avoids gluten, pick a different can or make a quick stovetop swap with gluten-free pasta and jarred sauce.
Is It Low-Sugar?
It’s moderate. Total sugars are 8 grams per cup, with half counted as added. Tinker with the sauce as described earlier if you prefer a more savory profile.
Bottom Line For Label-Smart Eating
Keep this pantry shortcut in rotation for speed, and build the plate so one cup feels bigger: more produce, a protein add-in, and acid instead of extra salt. That plan keeps energy steady and taste dialed in while the sodium number stays in check.