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If you're someone who loves to cook, you know how handy tomato paste can be. This pantry essential, made from concentrated tomatoes, offers a thick and flavorful base for aiolis, soups, and tomato-based sauces. However, it’s frustrating when you open your pantry to discover you're out of it. Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives to tomato paste that can save the day, and many of them might already be in your kitchen. Below are some of our favorite substitutes for tomato paste.
BURCU ATALAY TANKUT/Getty ImagesTomato Sauce
If you run out of tomato paste, tomato sauce makes a good substitute as it’s another tomato-based product. However, tomato sauce is thinner in consistency and often includes extra ingredients like basil, oregano, and sugar. When replacing tomato paste with tomato sauce, choose an unsweetened variety with minimal additives for a closer match. Use a 3:1 ratio when swapping; for example, use 3 teaspoons of tomato sauce for every 1 teaspoon of tomato paste. This works especially well for soups and sauces.
Because tomato sauce is thinner than tomato paste, you might need to reduce other liquids in your recipe to avoid a watery or mushy texture. Alternatively, to thicken tomato sauce and give it a paste-like consistency, simmer it in a saucepan over medium heat for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help the sauce reduce and become thicker.
Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is typically made from cooked tomatoes blended with seeds and skins. While it’s thinner than tomato paste, it’s a suitable substitute because, unlike tomato sauce, it usually doesn’t contain added ingredients. While it may not be as thick as tomato paste, its flavor is quite similar.
To make tomato puree closer in texture to tomato paste, you can simmer it in a saucepan as described above. Use a 3:1 ratio when substituting tomato puree for tomato paste. This method works well in dishes like chili, soups, and sauces.
Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes can serve as another viable alternative to tomato paste, though they do require a bit more effort. Since they are usually packed in whole or chunky pieces, you’ll need to blend them into a smooth consistency using a food processor or blender.
After blending, transfer the mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 10 minutes, until the consistency thickens and reduces. To substitute tomato puree for tomato paste, also follow a 3:1 ratio. This swap works great in most dishes, such as sauces, soups, and marinades.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is more liquid than both tomato sauce and paste. It’s primarily used for pasta and pizza, partly due to its simpler ingredient list compared to tomato sauce. While tomato sauce may include different vinegars, sweeteners, herbs, and spices, marinara sauce typically has only garlic, basil, and red peppers. Still, as another tomato-based option, it can effectively replace tomato paste. Simply thicken it on the stovetop, much like you would with tomato sauce, and apply the same 3:1 ratio. This substitute works particularly well for pasta and pizza sauces, but is also great for soups, stews, and other dishes containing a lot of liquid ingredients.
Fresh Tomatoes
If you have some fresh tomatoes on hand, you can easily turn these vibrant red fruits into a quick substitute for tomato paste. To do so, start by peeling off the skins and removing the seeds. After that, blend the tomatoes into a liquid and simmer the puree in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the liquid reduces by half and thickens. For every tablespoon of tomato paste you need, substitute it with three tablespoons of pureed fresh tomatoes. You might want to add a pinch of salt, but taste the mixture first to see if it meets your preference. This fresh puree is perfect for recipes needing a burst of tomato flavor, such as sauces, marinades, and stews.
Ketchup
If you have ketchup in your pantry or fridge, it can serve as a last-minute substitute when you’re out of tomato paste. However, keep in mind that ketchup is sweeter, has a different flavor profile, and is less thick than tomato paste, so it’s not the top choice for all dishes. Nevertheless, ketchup can be swapped in a 1:1 ratio. For the best outcome, use ketchup in recipes where the intense tomato flavor isn’t the star, like in sweet and tangy dishes such as chili or barbecue sauce. Avoid using ketchup for tomato-based sauces that rely on a rich, deep tomato taste.
Tomato Passata
Tomato passata is a smooth, raw tomato puree made from strained ripe tomatoes, with both the skin and seeds removed in the process. It differs from regular tomato puree, but it can serve as a suitable replacement for tomato paste, much like tomato puree would.
To thicken tomato passata and make it more like tomato paste, simmer it over medium heat until it reduces and reaches the desired consistency. You may need to cook it down by half or even more. Tomato passata is a good replacement for tomato paste in dishes like soups, stews, and sauces, with the amount adjusted depending on how thick or rich you want the texture and flavor.
Tomato Soup
When using tomato soup as a substitute for tomato paste, simmer it on the stove while stirring constantly. Because it is thinner, reducing it will create a paste-like consistency. This simmering will also concentrate the flavors, though tomato soup tends to be milder than tomato paste, which might be ideal for certain recipes.
Keep in mind that tomato soup may already contain added sugars and spices, but you can always adjust the flavor by adding more seasonings. Tomato soup is an excellent substitute for tomato paste in recipes like stews and casseroles, allowing you to be more inventive with the texture and taste.
