33 Recipes With Canned Tomatoes for Easy and Delicious Meals
Here's how you turn a can of tomatoes into dinner.
CAITLIN BENSEL
We love fresh tomatoes (who doesn't?), but these recipes with canned tomatoes are perfect for when it's not tomato season. Preserved at their prime, canned tomatoes are available in many forms: crushed, whole peeled, diced, and fire-roasted, to name a few.
While you wouldn't want to make something like a Caprese salad with a can of tomatoes, they're perfect for sauces, soups, and casseroles. Keep reading to discover over a month's worth of our favorite canned tomato recipes.
Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce
This clever recipe calls for a tube of plain polenta, which gets sliced and nestled into an oregano-spiced tomato sauce made with a can of whole peeled tomatoes. Comforting and filling, this dish is a stellar vegetarian meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. A quick pop in the broiler at the end yields a bubbling, golden surface.
One Pot Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
A package of pre-made potato gnocchi is this recipe’s secret to a hearty soup with minimal effort. Sausage, onion, and garlic give the soup savory depth, while a combination of chicken stock and canned diced tomatoes make for a delicious broth. Uncomplicated and comforting, this soup is a winner.
Cheesy Baked Beans and Tomatoes
Two of our pantry staples—a can of whole peeled tomatoes and canned cannellini beans—are the base of this saucy, cheesy dinner. With a stocked pantry, the only thing you’ll need from the store is some fresh mozzarella to melt on top. Completely vegetarian, this one-skillet meal has a pizza vibe and is best served with crusty bread or toast.
White Bean and Barley Soup With Tomatoes and Greens
This veggie-filled barley soup is proof that sometimes, simple is best. Make a simple broth with vegetable stock and a can of whole peeled tomatoes, then load it up with barley, white beans, and greens for a nourishing, wintry dinner. Finish with olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
Greek-Style Shrimp and Potatoes
This one-pot meal is full of vegetables and shrimp and is essentially a nourishing tomato-based stew. Go for a can of fire-roasted tomatoes to give the dish a sweet smokiness, and for a Greek twist, top each bowl with dill and feta.
Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup
You heard us right: vegan and creamy! This soup’s smooth texture comes from French bread soaked in rice or almond milk, then blended with a mixture using canned whole peeled plum tomatoes—no cream involved. Onion, garlic, and oregano flavor the soup beautifully, giving it an Italian feel.
Eggplant and Tomato Masala With Chickpeas
Inspired by Indian cuisine, this vegetarian dish gets its punchy flavor profile from cumin, mustard, coriander seeds, and a handful of finely chopped fresh cilantro stems. (The stems have all the flavor!) Use canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes for ease.
Italian Baked Eggs With Tomato Sauce
A great option for brunch or dinner, this recipe begins by combining a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes with turkey sausage, onion, and garlic for a rich base. Crack a few eggs straight into the skillet, bake until set, and that's it! A side of cheesy baguette is an optional (though very welcome) accompaniment.
Whole Grain Minestrone With Parmesan Crisps
This veggie-packed minestrone calls for a cup of farro and canned whole tomatoes for a savory broth. Spoon some store-bought pesto on each bowl of soup for a hit of brightness, and serve with homemade Parmesan crisps for a cheesy crunch.
Tomato Mushroom Pasta
This pasta recipe checks every box for a satisfying vegetarian pasta dish with a lot of depth. Meaty mushrooms and a can of crushed tomatoes make for a hearty sauce, while fresh herbs and a splash of dry red wine round everything out. Serve with Pecorino Romano or Parmesan to grate on top.
Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza
This homemade pizza is perfect for a weekend dinner and is our version of the classic Naples pie. With just a few ingredients and toppings—crushed tomatoes, olive oil, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves—you're sure to add this to your weekly menu.
Instant Pot Beef Ragù With Pappardelle
Easily cooked in an instant pot or pressure cooker, this meat sauce is made with chuck roast and canned crushed tomatoes. You get a tender, rich beef sauce to top your favorite pasta noodles. It's versatile, too—try the ragú with polenta, potatoes, rice, and more.
Smoky Fish Chowder
Start with a broth full of canned diced tomatoes, chorizo, leeks, and potatoes, then add white fish for a flavorful and comforting fish chowder. Ready in just 30 minutes, you won't believe the richness of this coastal-inspired soup.
Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew
This veggie-filled lamb stew is cooked in one pot and ready in 30 minutes—from start to finish. Canned diced tomatoes help it cook faster and flavor the broth. The dish is perfect for cooler nights or when you need a hearty, comforting meal.
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
While you're away at work or running errands, this chicken taco soup cooks away in a slow cooker. Feel free to use pinto beans instead of black beans if preferred, and try canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavor. Top with your favorite taco toppings—cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips.
Winter Lentil Soup
Full of fiber and protein, this vegetarian soup combines lentils, kale, and sweet potatoes for plenty of nutrition. Canned whole tomatoes help create a flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy nights, this meal is ready in an hour.
Basic Pizza
Using store-bought pizza dough and canned whole peeled tomatoes makes this homemade pizza a breeze to cook. While this recipe calls for mozzarella cheese and basil leaves as toppings, you can customize it to your liking, adding vegetables, meat, or your favorite toppings.
Sun-Dried Tomato Shakshuka
Victor Protasio
Inspired by traditional North African and Middle Eastern shakshuka, this quick-cooking dish is delicious for brunch, dinner, or any meal. Combining sun-dried tomatoes with canned crushed tomatoes gives this recipe a more concentrated flavor. Serve with pita bread or rice for a complete meal.
Dairy-Free Bolognese
Victor Protasio
For anyone cutting dairy out of their diet, this dairy-free Bolognese sauce provides a rich and creamy texture—without milk or cream. Nutritional yeast adds a cheese-like flavor, and crushed tomatoes help thicken the sauce. Serve with noodles for a dairy-free pasta night.
Spaghetti With Quick Meat Sauce
Serving another version of spaghetti sauce, this recipe uses canned crushed tomatoes to speed up the sauce's cooking time. That means you can have spaghetti and meat sauce in just 30 minutes—without using store-bought marinara.
Stovetop Bacon Lasagna
Instead of using multiple pots to make and layer a traditional lasagna, try this one-pot bacon lasagna. Ready in less than an hour and saving time with a can of crushed tomatoes, you get the feeling of lasagna—without the work.
Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce
Instead of red pizza sauce, this recipe calls for pink sauce by adding heavy cream to canned crushed tomatoes. Otherwise, this pie is topped with classic pizza toppings like mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti Squash Ragù
After browning ground beef, throw it in the slow cooker with crushed tomatoes and seasonings for a slow-cooked spaghetti sauce. You'll also add the spaghetti squash halves into the mix, cooking everything together. The result is a delicious, gluten-free, dairy-free dinner.
Rachael Ray's Skillet Spinach Lasagna
Layered with lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, spinach, and homemade tomato sauce (thanks to the convenience of canned crushed tomatoes), this is a comforting and hearty meal. The best part is it cooks in a single skillet, making for easier cleanup.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
This Indian-inspired dish is full of flavor with garam masala and a tomato base—use a can of crushed tomatoes for ease. The chicken thighs cook in the sauce, soaking up the spices and flavors. Serve with rice for a wholesome meal.
One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans
This sausage and bean stew is the perfect hearty meal for cooler nights. Combining chicken sausage, cannellini beans, and crushed tomatoes into a flavorful one-pot dish makes this easy to cook. Panko breadcrumbs add a crispy texture.
Detroit-Style Pizza With Sausage and Peppers
Using crushed tomatoes and pre-made pizza dough helps you get this Detroit-style pizza on the table faster. This recipe calls for crispy sausage, banana peppers, and Cheddar cheese as toppings, but you can customize it with your preferred toppings.
Black-Eyed Pea Ribollita
Enjoy a bowl of this hearty Tuscan soup right at home—in only 30 minutes. Featuring black-eyed peas and collard greens in tomato broth, the ciabatta bread in this dish is what truly makes it stand out. A large can of crushed tomatoes helps this recipe cook faster.
Slow-Cooker Pork With Peppers and Olives
While traditional Cuban ropa vieja is made with beef, this recipe swaps it out for pork and cooks in a slow cooker. Full of tomato and bell pepper flavors, you can enjoy this dish with a side of rice and black beans. Using canned crushed tomatoes saves time.
Lentils, Kale, and Sausage Soup
Ready in under an hour, this hearty soup features canned whole peeled tomatoes, Italian sausage, nutritious kale, and lentils. Full of protein and fiber, your family can enjoy this comforting dish with a piece of crusty bread—perfect for sopping up that tasty broth.
Punjabi Cauliflower
Elevate cauliflower with Indian flavors to make this delicious vegetarian dish. The spices and canned crushed tomatoes add lots of depth, resulting in a savory side dish or satisfying main entree. Serve with rice for a complete meal.
Turkey Rosemary Bolognese
Replacing traditional ground beef for turkey meat, this Bolognese recipe takes advantage of canned crushed tomatoes for an easy homemade pasta sauce. It's a perfect way to wind down for the night and enjoy a comforting meal.
Crunchy Nacho Bake
Greg DuPree
Take your love of nachos to a new level with this dish that's part casserole, part nachos, part dip, and all flavor. After browning the beef, you'll simmer the diced tomatoes in the drippings along with black beans, cream cheese, and taco seasoning. A healthy sprinkling of cheese and tortilla chips form the top layer before it gets popped in the oven, and 15 minutes later you have ooey gooey goodness.
Related: The 10 Healthiest Reasons to Love Tomatoes—Both Fresh and Canned
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