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Have you ever opened a can of tomato paste to use a tablespoon or two, and then you're left with a mostly-full can of tomato paste - wondering, "what can I make with tomato paste?" If so, this post is for you.
This post is a collection of recipes to give you some ideas on uses for your leftover tomato paste.
Some recipes in the collection use a little tomato paste, and some use a lot.
We've got soups and stews, sauces, main dishes, and even a drink category!
I love using tomato paste in recipes because it's a one-ingredient canned food that has is just tomatoes. It's concentrated and you get a really rich flavor when you use it in recipes.
Pro Tip (not on the list): If you ever have leftover tomato paste and you're not sure what to do with it, you can ALWAYS freeze it in one tablespoon scoops in an ice cube tray for later. This way you'll be able to easily grab it when you need it and add it to any recipe you think needs a little extra tomato flavor.
Soups and Stews that use tomato paste
Tomato soup from tomato paste from Pepper Bowl - This tomato soup from tomato paste is delicious and convenient. A family-friendly made with pantry-ready ingredients. Tomato paste used: 6 oz
Hearty Vegetable Stew with Chickpeas and Ditalini from Plate in 28 - This hearty vegetable stew is the perfect comfort food for winter! Full of yummy root veggies and chickpeas, your belly will be satisfied! Tomato paste used: ⅓ Cup
Fasolia from The Odehlicious - Fasolia is a Middle Eastern white bean stew recipe which is mixed with beef cubes, coriander leaves and tomato paste. It is a popular Arabic tomato based stew in Arab countries. Tomato paste used: 2 Tbsp
Sauces that use tomato paste
5 Minute Pizza Sauce from Scratch to Basics - This pizza sauce recipe uses tomato paste as a base and is seasoned with simple ingredients for an extremely flavorful red sauce that requires no cooking, just dump and mix. Tomato paste used: 12 oz
Easy Spaghetti Sauce from Holmes Cooks - Classic Spaghetti sauce, as easy as it is delicious! Tomato paste used: 12 oz
Easy Red Enchilada Sauce from Scratch to Basics - Make this homemade enchilada sauce in minutes, with simple ingredients from your pantry. This easy enchilada sauce recipe is made with tomato paste and always gets “Mmmmmms” when we make it for friends or family. Tomato paste used: 12 oz (2 x 6oz cans)
Keto Marinara Pasta Sauce from Low Carb Yum - Whipping up your own Marinara Sauce is a cinch to make, even when tomatoes are not in season. Canned tomatoes and tomato paste plus garlic and basil would create a rich and creamy pasta sauce in just 35 minutes of cook time. Tomato paste used: 1 Tbsp
No Cook Honey Barbecue Sauce from Scratch to Basics - This sauce is a perfectly balanced combination of tangy and sweet. And, it only takes 5 minutes to make! Tomato paste used: 6 oz can
Sugar Free Ketchup from Scratch to Basics - This sugar free ketchup recipe is packed with flavor. You’ll never miss the other stuff when you can make this in ten minutes in your own kitchen with simple ingredients. Tomato paste used: 3 x 6oz cans
Sloppy Joe Mix from Create Kids Club - The BEST Sloppy Joe Mix recipe that makes enough to blend with 3-4 lbs. of ground meat. Make an extra-large batch of sloppy joes, or freeze the extra mix in individual containers to grab on a busy night. Tomato paste used: ¼ cup
Main Dishes that use tomato paste
Ground Beef and Cabbage from The Yummy Bowl - This Ground Beef and Cabbage is an easy budget friendly one-pot ground beef cabbage recipe that is loaded with flavor. It is a quick dinner that is gluten-free and also dairy-free. From start to finish, you can have this healthy quick and easy meal ready in under 30 minutes! Tomato paste used: 3 Tbsp
Keto Tikka Masala from Cassidys Craveable Creations - This Keto Tikka Masala recipe is a simple one-pan meal that has perfectly tender chicken covered in a creamy, flavor-packed sauce that rivals the restaurant variety. Plus, it's easy to make and can even be made dairy-free & paleo! Tomato paste used: 4 Tbsp
Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken from Recipes from a Pantry - Dump and Start Instant Pot African Cinnamon Peanut Butter Chicken is a warm, fragrant and oh-so-comforting dish. If you like peanuts and chicken, you will absolutely love the traditional African flavor combinations in this quick and easy recipe. Tomato paste used: 1 Tbsp
Instant Pot Ontario Pulled Pork from Maritime Glutton - A delicious, simple and unique on pulled pork made famous by Ontario Pork! New and improved to be made in the slow cooker in under an hour. Tomato paste used: ¼ Cup
Turkey and Spinach in Marinara from Food Love - A deceptively healthy alternative to traditional spaghetti and meatballs; savory, comforting, and packed with veggies. Tomato paste used: 6 oz can
Taco Lettuce Wraps from Kathryn's Kitchen - These healthy Taco Lettuce Wraps make a delicious dinner on any night! Made with taco seasoned ground turkey meat and all of the classic taco toppings! These wraps are also keto-friendly and low-carb! Tomato paste used: ½ Tbsp
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta from Always Use Butter - Done in just 20 minutes this is an addictive flavor combo of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika & oregano - achieved with pantry staple dried herbs & minimal prep. Tomato paste used: 2 Tbsp
A drink recipe
Homemade Bloody Mary Mix from The Art of Food and Wine - Our Homemade Bloody Mary Mix is easy to make and so much healthier than the store bought version. The taste is rich due to using tomato paste and spices. Tomato paste used: 6 oz can
A few tips
Here are a few tips I've learned from creating recipes for the last five years.
Tomato paste adds "umami" flavor
When you're cooking and something just isn't tasting quite right, consider adding a bit of tomato paste. The depth and richness of the flavor of tomato paste can make a world of difference.
Anytime a recipe calls for tomato sauce, you can swap tomato paste + water
This tip is part of my larger scheme to get you more confident in the kitchen, and willing to go "off-recipe" (kind of like off-roading in your jeep) to explore and have fun creating dishes of your own in the kitchen. When you have a recipe (pizza sauce, or tomato soup, for example) and the recipe calls for tomato sauce...you can ALWAYS swap out the sauce for tomato paste. Just add a little water and salt.
Consider making your own tomato powder
I haven't tried this yet, but I'm so excited to...turn the oven on low and spread your tomato paste across a cookie sheet. Bake it (dehydrate it) until all the moisture is gone. Then store it in your spice drawer to add a tomato flavor to any dish.
Decisions, Decisions...
Now that you've discovered a few (or more) new recipes to use up tomato paste...which one are you going to try first? Comment below and let me know!
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