The Secret Technique for Getting Big Flavor out of a Tiny Can of Tomato Paste

I’m going to let you in on a little secret that will make your pasta sauce taste better than it ever has. Over the years, we’ve added it to numerous pasta sauces and hearty stews, but most of the time we just stir it in with all the other ingredients, and therein lies our error. That little can or tube of tomato paste is hiding many flavor secrets; you just need to know how to coax it out.

The Trick

Cook the tomato paste a bit before you use it. Yes, it’s that simple. Stir the amount of paste you need in a saucepan over medium-high heat for a few minutes, being careful to not let it scorch on the bottom of the pan. You’ll know it’s ready when the color starts to darken a little and the tomato aroma is very intense. By heating it for just a few minutes the sugar in the paste starts to caramelize, which adds so many complex flavors to any dish you use it in.

Why does this work? Tomato paste is simply tomatoes cooked slowly and gently until almost all the water has evaporated. While it’s already an umami-rich powerhouse, you can get even more flavor out of it by cooking it a little before adding any liquids.

When to Use It

It’s actually very easy to modify almost any recipe that calls for tomato paste. For instance, if I’m making one of our all-time favorite pasta sauce recipes, I saute the sausage, onions and garlic as normal. Then, instead of adding the remaining ingredients, as the recipe says, I’ll only add the tomato paste. After 1-2 minutes, when all of the paste’s magical flavors have emerged, I’ll proceed with the rest of the recipe, adding the canned tomatoes and seasonings.

And that’s all you need to do. Try it the next time you have a recipe that calls for tomato paste and I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Next up: Marinara vs. tomato sauce—what’s the difference?

32 Recipes to Make with Just a Little Bit of Tomato Paste

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Taste of Home

Italian Joes on Texas ToastThis is toasty-good for a weeknight on the go. If you double the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, meat and wine, you'll have enough sauce to freeze. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Easy Slow-Cooker Chicken Ropa ViejaWhen discussing various methods of cooking ropas, a friend of mine told me her sister adds apple juice. I thought a Granny Smith apple might give the dish an extra kick—and it does. The ropas may also be served with hominy or tortillas, but I think the plantains add a special touch. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Slow-Cooker Pizza DipI created this dip for my daughter's pizza-themed birthday party. It was an instant hit and I've continued to take it along to other gatherings. Everyone loves it! —Stephanie Gates, Waterloo, Iowa

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Tomato-Basil Pull-Apart RollsMy nephew helped me create these soft and colorful rolls. He named them “wheelies” because the spiral shapes reminded him of his toy trucks. —Dianna Wara, Washington, Illinois

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup Don't have as much as you thought? Find a substitute for tomato paste.

Chicken Butternut ChiliAt our house, we just love a good comforting, hearty, tomato-based chili with bold flavors! This unique chili is loaded with veggies and flavor. You can also prepare the recipe in the slow cooker. Just add ingredients to the crock and cook over high heat for about 4 hours. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

West African ShrimpMy girls have always loved seafood, so I invented a shrimp dish with coconut milk and ginger. They raved; I was delighted. It's great with jasmine rice. —Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Taste of Home

Mushroom Hunter's SauceHunter sauce is a rich brown sauce with an accent of tomato. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 3 Tbsp.

Tomato-Garlic Lentil BowlsAn Ethiopian recipe inspired this feel-good dinner that's tangy, creamy and packed with hearty comfort. —Rachael Cushing, Portland, Oregon

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 3 Tbsp.

Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 tsp.

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Tomato-Orange SoupWho knew orange and tomato were such a good pair? Whenever I serve this, I keep the recipe handy for requests. —Barbara Wood, St. John’s, Newfoundland

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Smoky Quinoa with MushroomsAdd quinoa cooked with smoked paprika to your list of top sides. To warm the spinach leaves, quickly saute if desired. —Ellen Kanner, Miami, Florida

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 3 Tbsp.

Taste of Home

Old-Fashioned Coney Hot Dog SauceCamping and hot dogs go hand in hand. Roast some up over the fire, then top with this irresistible one-pot sauce. —Loriann Cargill Bustos, Phoenix, Arizona

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Pasta Fagioli al FornoThe name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Garden Vegetable Beef SoupThis soup is my go-to healthy lunch option. It's a great way to eat my vegetables, and it's so comforting during the cold winter months. —Dawn Donald, Herron, Michigan

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Moroccan Pot RoastMy husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakesh bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Pulled PorkWhile I don't enjoy drinking beer, I love cooking with it. This quick recipe also goes great on plain hamburger buns with a side of slaw. —Renee Herrington, Plano, Texas

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Butternut Squash ChiliAdd butternut squash to chili for a tasty, filling, energy-packed dish your whole family will love. Mine does! —Jeanne Larson, Mission Viejo, California

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 3 Tbsp.

Corn Okra CreoleThis dish is representative of my area of the country, and particularly the Texas-Louisiana border. The okra, corn and Creole seasonings are all popular here. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1 Tbsp.

Taste of Home

Rigatoni with Sausage & PeasWith a tomato-y meat sauce and tangy goat cheese, this weeknight wonder is my version of comfort food. You want to have bowl after bowl. —Lizzie Munro, Brooklyn, New York

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

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Roasted Eggplant SpreadBlack pepper and garlic perk up this out-of-the-ordinary spread that hits the spot on a crisp cracker or toasted bread slice. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1 Tbsp.

Savory Tomato-Braised TilapiaI shared this recipe with my bunco group and now one of my friends makes it all the time. I think that's the perfect testament to just how good this dish is. —Nancy Shively, Shorewood, Illinois

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Zucchini SalsaI received this recipe through a friend at a weight loss group. I make at least eight batches of the salsa every year. It's truly a hit with family and friends! —Cheryl Jacobsen, Warburg, Alberta

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Sweet 'n' Sour RibsIf you're looking for a change from typical barbecue ribs, you'll enjoy this recipe my mom always prepared on birthdays and special occasions. The tender ribs have a slight sweet-and-sour taste that my family loves. I usually serve them with garlic mashed potatoes and a salad or coleslaw. —Dorothy Voelz, Champaign, Illinois

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada SoupThis soup delivers a big bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Blushing Penne PastaI reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1 Tbsp.

Hungarian Goulash Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Hungarian GoulashTalk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made it for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It’s simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 2 Tbsp.

Slow-Cooked Moroccan ChickenHerbs and spices really work their magic on plain chicken in this dish, and the dried fruit adds an exotic touch. —Kathy Morgan, Ridgefield, Washington

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Taste of Home

Southwestern Chicken & Lima Bean StewI love to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me so happy with their compliments or just by going to fill up their bowls again. It's a good-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Sweet-and-Sour PorkChinese food is a big temptation for us, so I lightened up a favorite takeout dish. As the pork cooks, the aroma is beyond mouthwatering. —Elyse Ellis, Layton, Utah

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 3 Tbsp.

Best Lasagna Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Best Lasagna SoupAll the traditional flavors of lasagna come together in this heartwarming bowl of comfort. —Sheryl Olenick, Demarest, New Jersey

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1/4 cup

Chicken Penne Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Chicken Penne CasseroleThis is my family’s favorite every week or two and we never tire of it. I like that I can put it together and relax while it bakes. —Carmen Vanosch, Vernon, British Columbia

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 3 Tbsp.

Slow-Cooker Short RibsThese slow-cooker short ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don't need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker. (That makes it my favorite beef short ribs recipe!) —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas

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Amount of tomato paste needed: 1 Tbsp.