Wondering what to do with that canned tomato sauce in your pantry? We’ve got you covered with 10 delicious dinner recipes that are sure to please.
When it comes to pantry staples, few ingredients hold as much sway as the humble canned tomato sauce. From pasta dishes to pizzas and soups to stews, its versatility knows no bounds. And it’s also super easy to cook with, which is perfect for chefs of all ages and experience levels!
One of the many reasons we love tomatoes (and their canned varieties) is because they are teeming with nutrients that can help prevent chronic diseases. In fact, several studies have found that people who consume more tomato products have a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer, likely due to the powerful combination of lycopene, vitamin A, and vitamin C that occurs naturally in tomatoes.
From flavor to health benefits, there are many reasons to eat more canned tomatoes. So, get started today with these 10 canned tomato sauce recipes – these healthy dinner ideas are sure to be a crowd-pleaser any day of the week!
10 Canned Tomato Sauce Recipes
Wondering what to do with that canned tomato sauce in your pantry? We've got you covered with 10 delicious dinner recipes that are sure to please.
This pan fried fish recipe combines the delicate flavors of cod fish with the rich and savory taste of canned tomatoes, which provides a satisfying meal and a host of health benefits.
This recipe for Spanish-Style Chicken in Tomato Sauce is teeming with flavor and nutrition! Filled with vegetables, canned tomatoes, and protein, this is one meal your family is sure to love.
A creamy mild butter chicken makes a crowd pleasing recipe - for family dinner or date night. Filled with hearty chicken, veggies and spices this dish is perfect served over rice.
Looking for the ultimate party comfort food? Then this recipe for Tomato Soup Shooters is just the thing you need to try! Whether you make it for a light dinner or a party appetizer, it’s sure to please. Try serving it alongside a grilled cheese for the ultimate combo!
Pizza soup is one of those recipes that is even more delicious than is sounds! All of the best ingredients of pizza combine to make this cozy and filling soup. Plus, it takes hardly any time to put together, making this an ideal recipe for any night of the week.
Sloppy Joes may give you flashbacks to an elementary school lunchroom, but they are a fun meal that everyone will enjoy. This is also a recipe that keeps well in the refrigerator, so go ahead and enjoy those leftovers!
If you’re craving pizza and pasta, who says you can’t have both? This Instant Pot Pizza Pasta combines the flavors of two Italian classics, and can be finished cooking in only 10 minutes. What’s not to love?
Based on pantry staples and fresh chard, this easy, hearty recipe for Swiss Chard Pecan Lasagna is a nutritious recipe that your whole family will love. Plus it’s 100% plant-based (vegan).
If you’re searching for a special dinner idea, then give this Butter Chicken recipe a try. Not only does it create a wholesome meal for both family gatherings and intimate date nights, it also will satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
This Butter Chicken recipe strikes a balance between decadent and healthy, thanks to the inclusion of aromatic spices, lean protein, and tomato sauce. While this recipe is teeming with macronutrients, the tomato sauce adds additional benefits, since tomatoes are filled with vitamins A, C, and K, and antioxidants such as lycopene. Lycopene is well-known for its potential role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and is more bioavailable in canned tomatoes than fresh ones, which is a win-win!
Whether it’s a lively family dinner or a romantic date night, give this recipe a try – we promise you won’t be disappointed! Get the recipe for Butter Chicken from our friends at Del Monte.
When it comes to weeknights, we are always looking for new quick, easy, and family friendly meals. This Chicken Burrito Bowl checks all of the boxes, and is especially great for those families that have a picky eater or have different dietary restrictions. It’s easily customizable to fit your needs and preferences, while still being nutritious!
What makes this meal so delicious (and nutritious) is the combination of lean protein and canned tomatoes. The chicken add a heafy dose of protein, while the canned tomatoes provide a plethora of antioxidants (such as lycopene) that play an integral role in the reduction of certain types of diseases and cancers. In fact, numerous studies have linked lycopene consumption with prostate cancer protection. While lycopene is present in other fruits such as watermelon and pink grapefruit, tomatoes, which are the second most consumed vegetable (second to potatoes) in the U.S., account for more than 85% of the lycopene in the American diet. Interestingly, cooked tomato products—as in processed tomatoes, including tomato sauce and canned tomatoes—may hold particular significance. The lycopene from cooked and processed tomatoes is more bioavailable than that of fresh tomatoes. Heating or processing breaks down the tomato cell matrix and promotes isomerization of lycopene from all-trans isomers to the more bioavailable form of cis-isomers. Research shows that single daily servings of processed tomato products produce significant increases of lycopene concentrations in blood and buccal mucosal cells in healthy adults.
So, what are you waiting for? Try out this Chicken Burrito Bowl for a recipe that’s easy, delicious, and sure to be a family favorite!
Chicken Burrito Bowl
When it comes to weeknights, we are always looking for new quick, easy, and family friendly meals. This Chicken Burrito Bowl checks all of the boxes, and is especially great for those families that have a picky eater or have different dietary restrictions. It's easily customizable to fit your needs and preferences, while still being nutritious!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours5 minutes
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 cup frozen corn
shredded cheese, for serving
chopped cilantro, for serving
sour cream, for serving
sliced avocado, for serving
salsa, for serving
jalapeno slices, for serving
Instructions
Add the chicken, diced tomatoes with the juice, chicken broth, chili powder, salt, and cumin into a slow cooker. Make sure the chicken is fully covered by the broth. Add more broth if necessary. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Uncover and add in the black beans, rice, and corn. Cover and continue cooking for another 3-4 hours. In the last hour of cooking, mix the rice two times to ensure it is cooking evenly. If the crock pot gets too dry and the rice is not fully cooked, add more broth. If the rice is cooked but there is still a lot of broth, cook on high to allow it to evaporate.
Use two forks to shred the chicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or salsa. Enjoy!
For other dinner dishes, check out some of our favorites:
If you’re craving pasta, then go ahead and whip up this delicious recipe for Nona’s Beef Ragu! This entire meal can be made in a slow cooker, which makes it perfect for any night of the week. Plus, it’s kid-friendly, which makes dinner time even easier.
While this entire recipe tastes delicious, the star ingredient is a jar of crushed tomatoes. Not only is this a quintessential ingredient for ragu, but it is also incredibly nutritious. Cooked tomato products (found in canned tomato products like pasta sauce) contain an ingredient called lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been proven to protect the body against many chronic diseases and even reduce the risk of stroke. Similar to most nutrients, it’s more natural to obtain lycopene from foods rather than supplements. In order to achieve maximum health benefits associated with lycopene, it is recommended to consume tomato products with a heart healthy fat, such as olive oil or avocado. That’s why we recommend enjoying lycopene and its health benefits through delicious foods such as this recipe for Nona’s Beef Ragu
You can feel good about serving this delectable meal to your family, and they will delight in the complex flavors. To make this meal extra special, serve with a simple side salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Whether you’re enjoying this beef ragu for a Sunday family dinner or a simple weeknight meal for one, you’ll be satisfied.
Check out this video to learn how this recipe is made. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy some canned tomato products today!
Nona’s Beef Ragu
If you’re craving pasta, then go ahead and whip up this delicious recipe for Nona's Beef Ragu! This entire meal can be made in a slow cooker, which makes it perfect for any night of the week. Plus, it’s kid-friendly, which makes dinner time even easier.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours10 minutes
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 lbs. beef brisket, cut into 4 evenly sized pieces
1 onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
½ cup red wine
½ cup beef broth
4 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube
1 tsp. basil
1 tap. oregano
salt and pepper, to taste
1 ½ tsp. granulated sugar
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. water
Spaghetti, for serving
Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
Season brisket with salt and pepper. Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef into the pan and sear it on both sides until brown and crispy. Remove the beef from the pan and transfer it into a crock pot.
Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil into the pan along with the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion turns translucent then add the mixture into the crock pot. Mix until combined. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours until the beef easily falls apart when pulled with two forks.
Whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl until well combined. Pour the mixture into the crock pot. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
Serve over spaghetti and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
For other delicious pasta recipes, check out some of our favorites:
Take a trip to Italy without ever leaving the comfort of your kitchen! This recipe for Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a delicious Italian dish that will have your taste buds singing its praises.
Your weeknights just got a whole lot tastier with this recipe for creamy tomato basil chicken! If you are looking to incorporate more global flavors and nutrition into your dinners, then this is the dish for you. Filled with fresh basil, minced garlic, and creamy tomato sauce, you’re sure to enjoy every bite. Plus, it’s kid-friendly and easy to make, so what’s not to love?
One of the other key ingredients in this nutrient-packed recipe is canned diced tomatoes—another fan favorite food found in various dishes around the globe. The incorporation of canned tomatoes enhance the flavor and juiciness of the meal itself, making it something the whole family will enjoy. Since this dish contains canned tomatoes (which are a wonderful source of the antioxidant lycopene) and other vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, you have a great source of nutrients and protein for your next meal!
Not only is this tomato basil chicken healthy and delicious, but it can be easily prepared in no time at all thanks to the use of a slow cooker. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and whip up this Italian-inspired recipe this week and let us know what you think!
Take a trip to Italy without ever leaving the comfort of your kitchen! This recipe for Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a delicious Italian dish that will have your taste buds singing its praises.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours5 minutes
Ingredients
14 oz. can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
¾ cup tomato pasta sauce
¾ cup evaporated milk
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. dried basil
¼ tsp. black pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Add the diced tomatoes and tomato pasta sauce into a crock pot.
In a bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and cornstarch then pour it into the crock pot. Mix in the garlic, salt basil, and black pepper.
Nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked.
Mix in the fresh basil and enjoy!
For other dinner dishes, check out some of our favorites:
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