Get ready to discover a world of culinary possibilities with these 30 canned tomato recipes.
Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty pasta dish, a flavorful soup, or a zesty tomato–based sauce, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make the most of this pantry essential.
From classic Italian favorites to comforting stews and stuffed vegetables, these recipes are designed to inspire your dinner routine and simplify your meal planning.
Table of Contents
Canned tomatoes, whether whole, crushed, diced, or pureed, form the backbone of many beloved recipes.
Their convenience makes them an ideal solution for busy days when you want to whip up an umami-rich meal, such as a vegetarian dinner or a meatless dish, without spending hours in the kitchen.
In this collection of easy canned tomato recipes, we’ll explore a diverse range of dishes that showcase the incredible versatility of this humble pantry ingredient.
One-pot canned tomato recipes
Canned tomatoes excel in one–pot recipes like soups, curries, and chilies.
Due to their concentrated flavor and convenient availability year–round, they effortlessly add a hearty and tomatoey base to your meals.
1. Lentil vegetable soup
We start with a delicious, easy lentil vegetable soup with a flavorful base from canned tomatoes and nourishing green or brown lentils.
The combination of lentils and canned crushed tomatoes creates a nutritious soup with earthy lentils complemented by the vibrant acidity of tomatoes.
2. Marinara sauce
You can use our 15-minute marinara sauce as the base recipe for any tomato-based sauce.
It’s excellent as a pizza sauce on a flatbread pizza and even better as a dip with fried zucchini, breaded eggplants, or stuffed zucchini.
3. Kale soup
Creamy kale soup is a tasty 30-minute one-pot recipe that combines fresh kale leaves with tender white beans, canned tomatoes, and aromatic herbs.
TIP: Use canned diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes for this kale soup. Whole peeled canned tomatoes will make a chunkier soup base.
4. Cauliflower curry
Our cauliflower curry is an Indian-inspired recipe with tender cauliflower florets simmering in a rich, aromatic tomato and coconut milk sauce.
The marriage of canned tomatoes and coconut milk yields a delicious blend of rich, tangy tomato undertones and creamy sweetness.
5. Lentil chili
Like our sweet potato chili, lentil chili is an easy one-pot vegetarian recipe inspired by Mexican chili con carne, where lentils and beans replace the meat.
Ingredients like black beans, peppers, and canned tomatoes meld with aromatic spices such as chili powder and smoked paprika to create a dish with comforting flavors.
6. Chickpea curry
You’ll love the bold, fragrant, and warm spices with nutty chickpeas hugged by a creamy, slightly sweet, and luscious crushed tomato and coconut milk sauce.
It’s an excellent recipe for a weeknight dinner and is also perfect for meal prep as it keeps wonderfully for several days.
7. Moroccan lentil soup
In this Moroccan lentil soup, we add canned crushed tomatoes for a rich and zesty dimension, balancing the earthy brown lentils with the acidity from the tomatoes.
The convenience of canned tomatoes makes this soup a one–pot and freezer–friendly vegetarian meal.
8. Peanut butter stew
Try this creamy African peanut stew with an addition of canned tomatoes, contributing to a robust depth that balances the creamy nuttiness of the peanut butter.
Our peanut stew recipe is without meat; we use chickpeas instead to make this an easy, high-protein vegetarian meal, offering more than 20 grams of protein per small portion.
9. Chickpea soup
Try this Italian-inspired chickpea soup with chickpeas simmered in a rich broth for a comforting and wholesome meal idea.
We recommend using a can of crushed tomatoes and some tomato paste for a tomato-rich soup.
10. Curry lentil soup
Our curry lentil soup is an Indian-inspired recipe where the lentils are simmered in a rich tomato sauce enriched with spices and vegetables.
You’ll love this recipe because it’s easy to make in just over 30 minutes in one pot. It’s also packed with flavor and umami!
11. Sweet potato chili
Adding canned crushed tomatoes to our sweet potato chili harmonizes well with the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
The convenience of using canned tomatoes in chilis, soups, and stews simplifies the cooking process and makes it an easy and delicious one–pot meal.
12. Italian bean stew
Italian bean stew thrives on the robust flavors of crushed tomatoes, infusing the dish with a deep, tomatoey flavor that complements the hearty beans and aromatic herbs.
Whether served with crusty bread, couscous, or over polenta, this dish embodies the heartiness and warmth of traditional Italian comfort food.
13. Tortellini soup
Vegetarian tortellini soup becomes a flavorful meal with the addition of crushed tomatoes, imparting a savory and tangy dimension that elevates the dish.
Effortlessly prepared using canned crushed tomatoes, this vegetarian dinner idea offers a quick and delicious option for a cozy, heartwarming meal.
14. Harira
Harira soup, enriched with the depth of canned crushed tomatoes, acquires a vibrant and tangy character with Moroccan flavors of lentils, chickpeas, and aromatic spices.
With its hearty texture and nuanced taste, this harira soup becomes a comforting bowl of North African delight.
15. Lentil curry
This red lentil curry is easy and quick to make with pantry ingredients such as canned crushed tomatoes and split red lentils.
You can enjoy it as a last-minute dinner. It’s wholesome, nourishing, and protein-packed, making you feel great.
Canned tomato pasta recipes
Canned tomatoes serve as the secret weapon for crafting fantastic pasta sauces, providing a base of rich flavor that enhances the taste and texture of any dish.
Whether a classic marinara or a robust puttanesca, canned tomatoes elevate your pasta night to a delicious and satisfying experience.
16. Pasta Puttanesca
The Puttanesca sauce has it all: the natural sweetness from whole peeled tomatoes, ideally San Marzano, canned at peak ripeness.
It’s one of those pasta meals that makes you wonder how simple ingredients like tomatoes, olives, and capers can make such a tasty dish.
17. Spaghetti Pomodoro
San Marzano tomatoes (peeled whole and canned) are best for this 20-minute spaghetti Pomodoro as they produce a thick and sweet sauce.
If you can’t find San Marzano, go for generic whole-peeled canned tomatoes, preferably imported. Good ones are Mutti, Cento, or Cirio.
18. Red pepper pasta
You can put this red pepper pasta together with minimal effort in 15-20 minutes for an everyday dinner.
The smokey sweetness of roasted bell peppers blended with nutty almonds, sweet and tangy canned tomatoes, and aromatic garlic make the red pepper sauce irresistible.
19. Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta and fagioli is a comforting Italian meal combining pasta and beans into a flavorful broth with diced canned tomato and aromatic herbs.
This recipe represents the essence of Italian home cooking with simple ingredients that create a tasty and nutritious meal.
20. Penne Arrabbiata
This penne arrabbiata recipe is excellent as a weeknight dinner, as you can make it with canned tomatoes, garlic, chili, and parsley in less than 30 minutes.
Our recipe adds delicious plant-based sausage to transform traditional penne arrabbiata into a nutritious, tasty, high-protein dinner.
21. Tofu pasta
Tofu pasta is a delicious plant–based recipe with tasty crumbled tofu and a rich tomato sauce.
You can put this tofu recipe together for a quick, easy, and nutritious meal in less than 30 minutes.
22. Pasta alla Norma (eggplant pasta)
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian pasta dish with a rich tomato sauce, tender roasted eggplants, and fresh basil.
Our version with roasted eggplants and canned whole peeled tomatoes (ideally the San Marzano variety) is healthy and easy to make for an Italian-style dinner.
Dinners with canned tomatoes
Canned tomatoes quickly transform stuffed vegetables, casserole dishes, and vegetarian centerpieces into dinner heroes.
23. Eggplant Parmigiana
Eggplant parmigiana is a mouthwatering Italian casserole dish with simple ingredients, rich flavors, and a creamy texture.
Make it with passata or canned crushed tomatoes for a comforting dish you can serve as an appetizer, main, or side dish.
TIP: Parmigiana is perfect to make ahead; it’s vegetarian, and you can easily make it vegan using non-dairy cheese.
24. Zucchini boats
You’ll love these zucchini boats because they are easy to make, with simple ingredients, and have a rich and robust flavor without using meat.
We add lentils, canned tomatoes, herbs, and walnuts to make a satisfying and flavorful filling with a beautiful texture.
25. Tofu meatballs
Our tofu meatballs are an excellent high-protein vegetarian meal for a weeknight dinner as they are easy to put together and cook in 20 minutes in the oven.
Our favorite way of serving this tofu meatball recipe is with spaghetti and homemade marinara sauce made from whole peeled tomatoes. Your family will love this recipe!
26. Chickpea fritters with marinara dip
While inspired by falafel, chickpea fritters are easier to make and to cook. They are shaped into small flat patties and then cooked in the oven, air fryer, or skillet until crisp.
Serve them with marinara or arrabbiata sauce for a delicious appetizer or side dish.
27. Stuffed butternut squash
Canned tomatoes bring a burst of acidity and richness to stuffed butternut squash, creating a savory contrast to the sweet, roasted squash.
When used in the stuffing, the canned tomatoes add a juicy and flavorful element that complements the filling with lentils, walnuts, and herbs.
28. Vegetarian stuffed bell peppers
We make a filling that mixes lentils, canned tomatoes, rice, fresh herbs, and fragrant spices.
When baked in bell peppers, the filling absorbs its juices, and the combination of flavors and textures makes this recipe irresistible.
TIP: We highly recommend serving these stuffed bell peppers with caramelized onions and a dollop of our yogurt tahini sauce.
29. Vegetable soup
This vegetable soup is wholesome, tasty, rustic comfort food you can make with seasonal veggies in just over 30 minutes.
Add your favorite chopped veggies, canned tomatoes, and vegetable broth, and simmer until the veggies are fork-tender for a wholesome everyday soup.
30. Eggplant curry
Eggplants are excellent for curry because they soak up all the flavor from the spices and become soft and buttery as they simmer in the sauce.
You can use canned tomatoes such as crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and whole canned peeled tomatoes for the gravy. It’s a 30-minute meal that is also meal–prep–friendly and freezer-friendly.
Canned tomato recipes: lentil vegetable soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 4 cloves garlic pressed or grated
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cans (15-ounce each) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup dried lentils green or brown, uncooked, rinsed with water
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1½ teaspoons salt or more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper or red pepper flakes
- 5 ounces spinach about 4 to 5 cups
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large pot then add 2 carrots, 1 onion, 1 stalk celery (all coarsely chopped) and sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes stirring often.
- Add 1 teaspoon cumin and 4 cloves garlic (pressed or grated) and sauté for one more minute or until fragrant.
- Add 6 cups vegetable broth, 2 cans (15-ounce each) diced tomatoes, 1 cup dried lentils, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1½ teaspoons salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.Cover with a lid, bring to a boil, then crack the top open and simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until the lentils are cooked but with a slight bite. Stir occasionally.
- OPTIONAL STEP: If you like making an extra creamy lentil vegetable soup, blend about 2 cups of it.We do this directly in the pot with an immersion blender, but you can also do so in a standing blender.
- Add 5 ounces spinach and simmer for a few more minutes until they wilt.Add more vegetable broth or water if necessary to reach your desired consistency, then taste and adjust for salt before serving.
MAKE IT A MEAL
- Make this a meal by serving it with fresh lemon juice on top to boost flavor. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper and pair it with warm pita bread, focaccia, or a thick slice of toasted crusty bread rubbed with garlic.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you liked these canned tomato recipes, you might also enjoy:
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This recipe is made with simple ingredients, is excellent for year-round weeknight dinners and meal prep, and is a healthy and wholesome homemade meal.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]
