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What Is Tomato paste and How Can I Use It?

Wondering what to do with tomato paste? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it — with 1,170 recipes to put it to work.

tomato paste

What is tomato paste?

Tomato paste is a thick paste made by adding sugar to ripened tomatoes with skin and seeds removed. Its most common culinary usage is to enrich the flavor of sauces, particularly tomato sauce. It is most commonly available in tin cans and squeeze tubes.

It was traditionally made in parts of Sicily, Southern Italy and Malta by spreading out a much reduced tomato sauce on wooden boards. The boards are set outdoors under the hot August sun to dry the paste until it is thick enough, when scraped up, to hold together in a richly colored dark ball.

Today this artisan product is harder to find than the industrial (much thinner) version.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup (262g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 214Calories from Fat 11
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 1%
Trans Fat ~
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 256mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 49.5g 17%
Dietary Fiber 11g 43%
Sugars 31.9
Protein 11.3g
Vitamin A 80% Vitamin C 96%
Calcium 9% Iron 43%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

Where found

Tomato paste is usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Tomato paste is a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does tomato paste weigh?

Amount Weight
1 cup 262 grams
1 tbsp 16 grams
1 can (6 oz) 170 grams

Vegetables and Vegetable Products

In Chinese:番茄酱
British (UK) term:
en français:la pâte de tomates
en español:pasta de tomate

Recipes using tomato paste

There are 1170 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Burgers with Caramelized Onions

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Vegetarian burgers built from Harvest Burger mix and bulgur wheat, bound with tomato paste and parsley, then topped with balsamic-glazed caramelized onions. A satisfying meatless burger with serious chew and sweet-tangy crown.

Beef Rib Marinade

Beef Rib Marinade

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Take your beef ribs to the next level with this web marinade that imparts incredible flavor deep into meaty beef ribs. Whether you're grilling, smoking, or using an Instant Pot for tender fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, marinate to start things off right.

Always Loved Vegetarian Chili

Always Loved Vegetarian Chili

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Vegetarian Chili with bulgur and vegetables--Vegetarian chili: hot satisfying dish for fans of meatless mains.

Macaroni Supper Casserole

Macaroni Supper Casserole

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A hearty, layered casserole combining tender macaroni, savory tomato sauce, creamy spinach-cheese filling, and melted cheddar. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Much easier than a lasagna with just as much punch.

Margaret's Garlicky Gazpacho

Margaret's Garlicky Gazpacho

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Garlicky gazpacho blended cold with six cloves of garlic, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and onions, sharpened with balsamic vinegar and tomato-vegetable juice. A bold, no-cook summer soup served chilled.

Squash Noodle all’Arrabbiata

Squash Noodle all’Arrabbiata

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The mere sight of this cute-looking yummilicious noodle, served on a plate, will make you salivate, and if you eat it, it will make you reinvigorated too. This Italian dish is a brilliant blend of arrabbiata sauce and squash in the form of noodles. The carefully spiralized noodle and diced tomatoes make this dish very appealing to the eyes. But it doesn’t stop there, its appearance is as great as the taste. Oh… The squash noodles are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre which make the body healthy. They also have a minimal amount of fat, are rich in protein and are relatively low in calories and carbs. It is a great source of energy for the body—and a great delight to the mouth! That’s also very important. Now, let us see how we can prepare this tempting dish. Shall we!

Chili Con Cervesa

Chili Con Cervesa

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Chili con cervesa simmers ground beef and kidney beans in a beer-spiked tomato base with chili powder, garlic, and oregano. A pantry-friendly chili with deep malty flavor from a full bottle of beer.

Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce

Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce

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This delicious spaghetti sauce is loaded with heart healthy ingredients. After trying this sauce, you will always skip the store-bought ones.

Santoreggia Rosso Sauce (Savory Red Sauce)

Santoreggia Rosso Sauce (Savory Red Sauce)

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My family loves Italian food so I created this recipe to fit our tastes of a savory marinara sauce that is great over pasta, in lasagna, on pizza and as a dipping sauce. We love it over cooked spaghetti squash. You can make it with the meatballs or leave them out. It very freezes well.

Creamed Tomato Soup

Creamed Tomato Soup

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Creamy tomato soup made from scratch with ten ripe tomatoes, onion, thyme, and basil, blended silky and finished with cream, milk, and a swirl of butter. A rich, homemade bowl made for grilled cheese.

Mama's Marinara Sauce

Mama's Marinara Sauce

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Simple homemade marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and torn basil. Simmers in 30 minutes for a rustic Italian pasta sauce.

Holiday Gravy

Holiday Gravy

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Smooth Rich Flavor In This Wonderful Tasting Gravy!! ..Thicken With A Potato Blended In!! ..A Few Fresh Herbs And Mushroom!!

Indian Gazpacho

Indian Gazpacho

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Indian gazpacho with hot green chiles, garlic, and dry red wine in a chilled tomato-based vegetable soup. The South Asian spin on Spanish gazpacho with a slow-burn heat.

Meatless Monday Chili

Meatless Monday Chili

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Vegan chili made hearty with marinated tempeh, kidney beans, mushrooms, and a long simmer in tomato and vegetable stock. Deep, savory, slow-cooked Meatless Monday meal.

Chili Spiced Beef & Bean Stew

Chili Spiced Beef & Bean Stew

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A succulent dish that brings some variety to dinner and a tantalizing flavor everyone will enjoy!

Chili N'Awlins

Chili N'Awlins

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Chili N'Awlins is a New Orleans-style beef and pork chili with green chiles, oregano, and a Cajun edge. Topped with corn chips, sharp cheddar, and shredded lettuce for a hearty crowd-feeder.

Chili Ala Capt. James Mcdonnell

Chili Ala Capt. James Mcdonnell

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Beef and Italian sausage chili with a tablespoon of instant coffee for depth, two kinds of beans (kidney and refried), and a Monterey Jack topping. Captain's recipe.

Mom's Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Mom's Sweet & Sour Meatballs

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Sweet and sour meatballs simmered in a tangy cranberry-tomato sauce. A classic Jewish-American holiday and Shabbat dish that turns pantry cans into a glossy, crowd-pleasing dinner over rice or challah.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese

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My man can't get tired of spaghetti. I try to add new ingredients and play around with the recipe. This one is yummy and it contains some vegetables. I try to add vegtables as much as possible in our dinner. My kids love it too.

Cheesy Chili for a Crowd

Cheesy Chili for a Crowd

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Cheesy chili mac for a crowd with ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese sauce over pasta. Family-friendly one-pot chili that feeds 12.

Herbed Fresh Tomato Soup

Herbed Fresh Tomato Soup

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Herbed fresh tomato soup blends six peeled tomatoes with basil, thyme, and a hit of hot pepper sauce, then purees smooth for a low-fat, freezer-friendly weeknight bowl. Light, herby, and budget kind.

Vegan Enchilada Corn Tortillas

Vegan Enchilada Corn Tortillas

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Melt In Your Mouth Vegan Corn Tortillas! Yellow Corn Tortillas Were Used In This Dish!! Quick And Easy To Make!5

Super Fresh Tomato Soup

Super Fresh Tomato Soup

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Fresh tomato soup made with whole Roma tomatoes, celery, onion, and chicken broth, simmered and strained for a clean, bright bowl. Topped with cool yogurt. Gluten-free, low-fat, ready in 45 minutes.

Beef & Beans

Beef & Beans

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Slow cooker beef and beans with cubed chuck, salt pork, and pinto beans simmered in tomato paste, garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Old-school cowboy comfort food, low and slow until the beef pulls apart.

Pumpkin Soup with Coconut & Ginger

Pumpkin Soup with Coconut & Ginger

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Pumpkin soup with coconut cream and fresh ginger, brightened with lemon juice and a pinch of chili. Pureed silky-smooth and finished with chopped coriander. Thai-leaning fall comfort that works hot or chilled.

All 1,170 recipes

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