10 Easy Dishes That Begin With Canned Tomato Sauce
Nothing beats having a can of tomato sauce in your pantry when you need to whip up something delicious fast. This simple ingredient transforms into amazing meals with just a few additions.
These ten recipes prove that canned tomato sauce is your secret weapon for creating satisfying dishes that taste like you spent hours cooking.
01. Hearty Beef Chili
Rich, warming chili packed with ground beef and kidney beans. This satisfying bowl delivers comfort food perfection every single time.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz), 1 can kidney beans (drained), 1 yellow onion (diced), 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Hearty Beef Chili
1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. The meat should be nicely browned and crumbly throughout.
2. Add diced onion to the pot with the beef and cook until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in tomato sauce and drained kidney beans, stirring everything together. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the chili rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together perfectly.
02. Pan-Seared Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Golden chicken thighs swimming in rich, velvety tomato sauce. This restaurant-quality dish comes together in just thirty minutes for busy weeknights.
Ingredients: 6 bone-in chicken thighs, 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz), ½ cup heavy cream, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Pan-Seared Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce
1. Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
2. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet and cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook another 4 minutes.
3. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add minced garlic to the same pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Pour in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
5. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and sauce has thickened beautifully around the meat.
03. Morning Breakfast Salsa
Smoky bacon-studded salsa that transforms ordinary breakfast foods into something special. Perfect for topping eggs, breakfast burritos, or morning tacos.
Ingredients: 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz), 4 strips bacon (chopped), 1 small onion (diced), 1 jalapeño pepper (seeded and minced), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
How To Make Morning Breakfast Salsa
1. Cook chopped bacon in a medium saucepan over medium heat until crispy and golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. The fat should be rendered and bacon pieces nicely crisped.
2. Add diced onion to the bacon and cook in the rendered fat until softened and lightly golden, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced jalapeño and cook another minute.
3. Pour in tomato sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, stirring everything together. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. This salsa keeps well in the refrigerator for up to one week.
04. Italian Sausage and Pepper Hoagies
Juicy Italian sausages nestled with sweet peppers and onions in rich tomato sauce. These hearty sandwiches satisfy even the biggest appetites completely.
Ingredients: 6 Italian sausage links, 2 bell peppers (sliced), 1 large onion (sliced), 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz), 6 hoagie rolls, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
How To Make Italian Sausage and Pepper Hoagies
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage links and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes total.
2. Remove sausages from skillet and slice into bite-sized pieces. Add sliced peppers and onions to the same skillet and cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes.
3. Return sliced sausage to the skillet with vegetables. Pour in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning, stirring gently to combine all ingredients evenly throughout.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the sausage and vegetables. Split hoagie rolls and fill generously with the sausage mixture.
5. For extra flavor, I like to toast the filled hoagies under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the bread is golden and crispy on top.
05. Herb-Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce
Silky eggs gently poached in aromatic tomato sauce with fresh herbs. This elegant brunch dish impresses guests while being surprisingly simple to prepare.
Ingredients: 6 large eggs, 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz), 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 cloves garlic (minced), salt to taste.
How To Make Herb-Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce
1. Pour tomato sauce into a large skillet and add minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Heat over medium heat until the sauce begins to simmer gently around the edges.
2. Season the tomato sauce with salt and stir in half of the chopped parsley. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
3. Using a spoon, create six small wells in the simmering tomato sauce. Crack each egg carefully into a small bowl first, then gently slide into each well you’ve created.
4. Cover the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until egg whites are set but yolks remain slightly runny. The whites should be completely opaque when done.
5. Remove from heat and sprinkle with remaining fresh parsley before serving. I recommend serving with crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful sauce.
06. Mexican Fideo Noodle Soup
Thin vermicelli noodles simmered in spiced tomato broth until perfectly tender. This traditional Mexican comfort food warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients: 8 oz fideo noodles (or thin vermicelli), 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz), 3 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
How To Make Mexican Fideo Noodle Soup
1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add fideo noodles and toast them, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes total.
2. Add minced garlic to the toasted noodles and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Pour in tomato sauce, cumin, and chili powder, stirring to coat the noodles evenly.
3. Gradually add chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes until noodles are tender.
4. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add more broth if needed. The finished soup should have a slightly thick, brothy consistency that coats the noodles perfectly.
07. Classic Meat Sauce Spaghetti
Traditional spaghetti topped with rich, herb-laden meat sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. This family favorite never goes out of style.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz), 1 pound spaghetti pasta, 1 onion (diced), 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Classic Meat Sauce Spaghetti
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add diced onion, cooking until softened, about 4 minutes.
2. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon until completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 6-8 minutes of cooking time.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta and return to pot, then toss with a portion of the meat sauce.
5. Serve pasta in bowls topped with remaining meat sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and I always recommend having grated Parmesan cheese available for sprinkling.
08. Slow Cooker Spicy Chili
Set-it-and-forget-it chili that develops incredible depth of flavor while you go about your day. Perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort required.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef, 2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz each), 2 cans kidney beans (drained), 1 packet chili seasoning, 1 onion (diced), 1 bell pepper (diced), 1 cup beef broth.
How To Make Slow Cooker Spicy Chili
1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces until no pink remains, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat and transfer to slow cooker.
2. Add diced onion, bell pepper, drained kidney beans, tomato sauce, and chili seasoning packet to the slow cooker with the browned beef, stirring everything together thoroughly.
3. Pour in beef broth and stir once more to combine all ingredients evenly. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning during the last hour of cooking if needed. The chili should be thick and rich when finished, with tender vegetables throughout.
09. Silky Tomato Basil Soup
Velvety smooth soup bursting with fresh basil and oregano flavors. This comforting bowl pairs beautifully with grilled cheese sandwiches or crusty bread.
Ingredients: 2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz each), 2 cups chicken broth, ½ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 cloves garlic (minced), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Silky Tomato Basil Soup
1. Combine tomato sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, and dried oregano in a large pot. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to simmer.
2. Let the soup simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent any sticking or burning on the bottom.
3. Remove pot from heat and slowly stir in heavy cream until the soup becomes smooth and creamy throughout. The color should be a beautiful orange-red.
4. Add fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra smooth texture, you can blend the soup with an immersion blender.
5. Serve hot with a drizzle of cream on top and extra fresh basil for garnish. I love serving this with homemade croutons for added texture.
10. Italian Sausage and Vegetable Soup
Hearty soup loaded with spicy Italian sausage and colorful vegetables in rich tomato broth. This satisfying bowl makes cold nights feel warmer and cozier.
Ingredients: 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed), 2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz each), 4 cups chicken broth, 2 carrots (diced), 2 celery stalks (diced), 1 onion (diced), 1 zucchini (diced), 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.
How To Make Italian Sausage and Vegetable Soup
1. Brown Italian sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon until completely cooked through, about 6-8 minutes total.
2. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with sausage. Cook vegetables until they begin to soften, stirring frequently, about 5-6 minutes of cooking time.
3. Pour in tomato sauce, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning, stirring to combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add diced zucchini during the last 5 minutes of cooking time to prevent it from becoming mushy. The vegetables should be tender but still hold their shape.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving. This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop and meld together perfectly.
Final Thoughts
These tomato sauce recipes prove that simple pantry staples can create extraordinary meals. From comforting soups to hearty main dishes, one can opens endless possibilities.
Keep experimenting with your favorite ingredients and seasonings to make these recipes uniquely yours. Happy cooking!