Food 33 Recipes With Canned Tomatoes for Easy and Delicious Meals Here's how you turn a can of tomatoes into dinner. By Phoebe Fry and Melanie Edwards Melanie Edwards Melanie Edwards has been a freelance lifestyle and parenting writer and owner of an award-winning blog for nearly 20 years. She joined the Real Simple quality team as an editor in 2022. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 17, 2024 Close Photo: 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. 01 of 33 Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce CAITLIN BENSEL 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. get the recipe 02 of 33 One Pot Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup Jennifer Causey 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. get the recipe 03 of 33 Cheesy Baked Beans and Tomatoes Victor Protasio 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. get the recipe 04 of 33 White Bean and Barley Soup With Tomatoes and Greens Con Poulos 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. get the recipe 05 of 33 Greek-Style Shrimp and Potatoes Caitlin Bensel 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. get the recipe 06 of 33 Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 07 of 33 Eggplant and Tomato Masala With Chickpeas Antonis Achilleos 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. get the recipe 08 of 33 Italian Baked Eggs With Tomato Sauce Jen Causey 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. get the recipe 09 of 33 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. get the recipe 10 of 33 Tomato Mushroom Pasta Antonis Achilleos 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. get the recipe 11 of 33 Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 12 of 33 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. get the recipe 13 of 33 Smoky Fish Chowder Hans Gissinger 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. get the recipe 14 of 33 Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew Quentin Bacon 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. get the recipe 15 of 33 Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Jennifer Causey 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. get the recipe 16 of 33 Winter Lentil Soup Kana Okada 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. get the recipe 17 of 33 Basic Pizza Anna Williams 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. get the recipe 18 of 33 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. get the recipe 19 of 33 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. get the recipe 20 of 33 Spaghetti With Quick Meat Sauce Hallie Burton 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. get the recipe 21 of 33 Stovetop Bacon Lasagna Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 22 of 33 Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 23 of 33 Slow-Cooker Spaghetti Squash Ragù Caitlin Bensel 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. get the recipe 24 of 33 Rachael Ray's Skillet Spinach Lasagna Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 25 of 33 Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Roland Bello 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. get the recipe 26 of 33 One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans Caitlin Bensel 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. get the recipe 27 of 33 Detroit-Style Pizza With Sausage and Peppers Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 28 of 33 Black-Eyed Pea Ribollita Caitlin Bensel 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. get the recipe 29 of 33 Slow-Cooker Pork With Peppers and Olives Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 30 of 33 Lentils, Kale, and Sausage Soup Greg DuPree 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. get the recipe 31 of 33 Punjabi Cauliflower Heami Lee 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. get the recipe 32 of 33 Turkey Rosemary Bolognese Brie Passano 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. get the recipe 33 of 33 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. GET THE RECIPE The 10 Healthiest Reasons to Love Tomatoes—Both Fresh and Canned Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit