Ran out of tomato paste right when dinner's on the line? Don't worry... you've got options!
These easy tomato paste substitutes will help you save your recipe (with exact ratios so it turns out just right). From pantry staples to fresh ingredients, I'll show you what works and when to use each one.
We've all been ready to make a favorite dish like Lasagna with Jarred Sauce, Quick Shrimp Spaghetti, or a Classic Southern Meatloaf, only to realize at the last minute... we're out of tomato paste.
What Can I Use Instead of Tomato Paste
I've put together a simple guide to help you with your substitute selections. This table includes the amount and ratio needed for each tablespoon of tomato paste you would normally use.
Quick Look: Tomato Paste Substitutes
- ⏱️ Total Substitutes: 14
- 🍰 Works In: Soups, stews, sauces, chili, casseroles, and pasta dishes.
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Most substitutes work best when used in larger amounts than tomato paste since they're less concentrated.
- 💧 Why It Matters: Tomato paste adds concentrated tomato flavor, richness, and thickness to recipes.
- ⭐ Bottom Line: Choose a substitute based on how much tomato flavor and thickness your recipe needs.
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Jump to:
- What Can I Use Instead of Tomato Paste
- Quick Look: Tomato Paste Substitutes
- Best Quick Tomato Paste Substitutes
- Why are Ingredient Substitutions Important?
- Best Tomato Paste Substitutes (how to use each one)
- Non-Tomato Based Options to Consider
- Canned Tomato Paste vs. Tube Paste - which is better?
- Are Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce, and Tomato Puree the Same Thing?
- How to Make Your Own Tomato Paste
- Quick Reference: Tomato Paste Substitutes
- Tomato Paste FAQs
- Fast Easy Dinner Ideas
- Comments
Best Quick Tomato Paste Substitutes
If you're in a hurry, these are the easiest swaps:
- Tomato sauce (cook down)
- Ketchup (same amount)
- Tomato purée (2:1)
Why are Ingredient Substitutions Important?
As mentioned above, there are many reasons why you might be in need of an easy ingredient substitution. It is important that you are able to find the right substitution that maintains the taste and presentation of your recipe as well as meeting any dietary requirements.
Whether you are looking for a substitute for beef broth for your soup, or a cream cheese substitute for your dessert, you've come to the right place!
Best Tomato Paste Substitutes (how to use each one)
⏱️ Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is thinner than tomato paste but still provides a strong tomato flavor.
- 🍝 Works In: Pasta sauces, casseroles, soups, and chili. Works nicely for this Easy Stuffed Spaghetii Squash.
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Simmer the sauce a bit longer to thicken and intensify the tomato flavor.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: 2-3 tablespoons tomato sauce = 1 tablespoon tomato paste
⏱️ Ketchup
Ketchup is made from concentrated tomatoes with added sugar and vinegar.
- 🍝 Works In: BBQ sauces, meatloaf, sloppy joes, and savory sauces that benefit from a hint of sweetness. Works especially well for this Mac and Cheese with Meat.
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Reduce other sweet ingredients in the recipe if needed since ketchup is already sweet.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: 1 tablespoon ketchup = 1 tablespoon tomato paste
⏱️ Fresh Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes can be cooked down to create a concentrated tomato flavor similar to tomato paste.
- 🍝 Works In: Soups, sauces, chili, and stews
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Peel and remove seeds, then simmer the tomatoes until they reduce and thicken.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: 1 large tomato = 1 tablespoon tomato paste
⏱️ Diced Tomatoes (Canned)
Diced tomatoes are chopped tomatoes packed in their juices and can be reduced for a stronger tomato flavor.
- 🍝 Works In: Soups, stews, chili, and slow-cooked sauces
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Drain excess liquid and simmer until the mixture thickens and the flavor concentrates.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: About ½ cup diced tomatoes = 1 tablespoon tomato paste (after cooking down)
⏱️ Stewed Tomatoes
Stewed tomatoes are tomatoes cooked with seasonings and vegetables, giving them a slightly sweeter, seasoned flavor.
- 🍝 Works In: Casseroles, soups, stews, and rustic tomato dishes
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Blend and cook down to remove excess liquid and create a smoother texture.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: About ½ cup stewed tomatoes = 1 tablespoon tomato paste (after reducing)
⏱️ Tomato Purée
Tomato purée has a smooth consistency and concentrated tomato flavor similar to tomato paste.
- 🍝 Works In: Pasta sauces, soups, stews, and braised dishes
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Simmer briefly to thicken if needed and deepen the tomato flavor.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: 2 tablespoons tomato purée = 1 tablespoon tomato paste
⏱️ Crushed Tomatoes
Crushed tomatoes are partially puréed tomatoes with a slightly chunky texture.
- 🍝 Works In: Pasta sauces, soups, chili, and casseroles
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Drain excess liquid and simmer until thickened for a more concentrated flavor.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: About ¼-½ cup crushed tomatoes = 1 tablespoon tomato paste (after reducing)
⏱️ Marinara Sauce
Marinara is a seasoned tomato sauce made with garlic, onion, olive oil, and herbs.
- 🍝 Works In: Pasta dishes, casseroles, and Italian-style sauces. It's a great swap in my grandmother's Beefy Spanish Rice recipe.
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Works best in recipes where the extra herbs and seasonings complement the dish.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: 2 tablespoons marinara sauce = 1 tablespoon tomato paste
⏱️ Tomato Passata
Tomato passata is uncooked puréed tomatoes often used to thicken tomato-based sauces.
- 🍝 Works In: Pasta sauces, soups, stews, and slow-simmered tomato dishes
- 🔄 Swap Tip: Simmer it first to cook off some liquid and concentrate the flavor.
- ⚖️ Substitution Ratio: 1 tablespoon tomato paste = 3 tablespoons passata
If you're adjusting flavors or sweetness in your recipe, you might also find these helpful honey substitutes to balance everything just right.
Non-Tomato Based Options to Consider
Pureed Roasted Red Peppers are a flavorful choice to use when substituting for tomato paste. Use a jar of roasted red peppers and puree until smooth. Since it's close to paste consistency, you would just need to use a 2:1 ratio when measuring it out.
Miso Paste is a fermented mixture of soybeans with a mold called koji and often blended with salt and other ingredients. You can use this as a substitute for tomato paste. You can use any leftover miso paste to make this delicious Miso Ginger Salmon!
Harissa: Is a hot chili paste very close to the consistency of tomato paste. You can use harissa as a substitute but should note the very different flavor!
Notmato Paste: When looking for an alternative, I found a tomato paste recipe simply made up of chopped beets, carrots, pumpkin puree, and balsamic vinegar. Sure to add an extraordinary flair to your dish of choice. Check out this notmato paste recipe from Savory Nature.
Tomato-Free "Ketchup": I found a bottled tomato-free "ketchup" from KC Natural on Amazon. This is an easy substitute for tomato paste for those with tomato allergies.
Canned Tomato Paste vs. Tube Paste - which is better?
Both canned and tubed tomato paste give you that robust tomato flavor. But if you're looking for a taste that's just a tad bit better, you should go with the tube.
I love Tuscanini tomato paste in the tube. It should be available at your grocery store and it's always available on Amazon. I use it for my Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Meaty Tomato Sauce.
Tomato paste in a tube wins simply because of the ease of re-using it. Once you open a tube of tomato paste, squeeze out the amount you need, then store it in the refrigerator, and forget about it until next time. It lasts a long time but if you're like me, you may forget it's in there. Ooops! If it's too old, that's ok, because now we have a ton of substitutes to try!
Are Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce, and Tomato Puree the Same Thing?
This is another question I've asked myself a few times. Now after learning the difference between the three, the answer is yes - mainly it's the consistency. Let's look at the differences between them:
Tomato paste: The thickest of the three comes from condensing different types of tomatoes into a thick paste. Its flavor profile makes you think of sun-dried tomatoes, rich and packed with tomato flavor. Used mainly as a thickening agent in recipes.
Tomato sauce: The thinnest of the three when it comes to its consistency. It's made up of diced tomatoes that have been simmered down to release instant tomato flavor and are customarily used for a pasta sauce that needs flavor.
Tomato puree: Puree is right in the middle when it comes to consistency while still having the same flavor. Think fresh, yes, ready to use. It's great, made from both cooked and raw tomatoes, depending on the flavor profile you're looking for in your dish. Commonly used for our favorite thing here in America -- you guessed it, PIZZA!
How to Make Your Own Tomato Paste
If you have any of these ingredients at home, you could make your tomato paste at home. Here are three easy variations you can try.
Tomato Sauce: When making tomato paste from tomato sauce, you simply simmer until you've reduced it to paste consistency. You'll have to keep stirring while reducing it down to get it to a paste.
Fresh Tomatoes: When making tomato paste from fresh tomatoes, you'll need to peel the skin off and remove the seeds. Next, season and stir continually while reducing it down. Pro Tip: heirloom cutting tomatoes are a great choice for homemade tomato paste.
Canned Tomatoes: Can be thrown into a blender to get them to a smoother texture for your paste. You then place the tomato mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Continue cooking, constantly stirring until thickened and reduced by about two-thirds.
Want more? Visit The Spruce Eats for 3 Easy Ways to Make Homemade Tomato Paste!
Quick Reference: Tomato Paste Substitutes
| Substitute | Substitution Ratio | Best Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato Passata | 1 tablespoon paste = 3 tablespoon passata | Pasta sauces, soups, stews |
| Fresh Tomatoes | 1 large tomato = 1 tablespoon paste | Soups, sauces, chili |
| Tomato Sauce | 1 tablespoon paste = 2-3 tablespoon sauce | Pasta sauces, casseroles |
| Diced Tomatoes | ~½ cup (cooked down) = 1 tablespoon paste | Soups, stews, chili |
| Stewed Tomatoes | ~½ cup (cooked down) = 1 tablespoon paste | Casseroles, soups |
| Tomato Purée | 2 tablespoon purée = 1 tablespoon paste | Sauces, soups |
| Crushed Tomatoes | ¼-½ cup (reduced) = 1 tablespoon paste | Pasta sauces, chili |
| Ketchup | 1 tablespoon ketchup = 1 tablespoon paste | BBQ sauce, meatloaf, sloppy joes |
| Marinara Sauce | 2 tablespoon marinara = 1 tablespoon paste | Pasta dishes, Italian recipes |
And if you're working around pantry swaps, these easy coconut flour substitutes can help keep your recipe from falling apart... literally.
Tomato Paste FAQs
When using a substitute for tomato paste, you want to ensure you've reviewed the recipe thoroughly to see how much tomato paste it calls for. Most recipes only call for 1-2 tablespoons to increase the tomato flavor profile.
You should start by looking at a can or tube of tomato paste to measure the amount inside. Tomato paste amounts are generally about 10 tablespoons in a 6-ounce can and about 14 tablespoons in a 7.05-ounce tube.
You should try to stay at 2 to 3 tablespoons when using a sub for tomato paste.
There are a few ways to store your tomato paste. Pending how quickly you will be using it, will directly affect how you choose your storage method. If you are making another dish that needs tomato paste within the week, you'll want to place it in the refrigerator, where it lasts 5-7 days.
I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.
You can also freeze your leftover tomato paste in cubes of ice, where it lasts for up to 4 months.
Tomato paste will spoil. To ensure you don't waste your leftovers, be sure to have your leftover method ready. This will also save you from wasting it, as most recipes only call for 1-2 tablespoons.
Tomato paste is used in so many ways and in so many different recipes. Famous for its thickening attributes for stews, soups, and sauces, it's also known for its robust tomato flavor.
Tomato paste enriches the flavor profiles of tomato-based dishes and takes them to the next level. I love to use it in this You can also use it in your marinades to boost the flavor profile for more savory meat. I really like this!
Yes, you can skip tomato paste in a pinch, but your dish may lose some richness, color, and thickness.
Tomato paste adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps create that deep, hearty texture in recipes like chili, sauces, and casseroles. Without it, your dish may taste a little lighter and be slightly thinner.
If you don't have tomato paste, it's usually better to use a substitute like tomato sauce or ketchup for the closest flavor and consistency. If skipping it altogether, let your dish simmer a bit longer and adjust the seasoning to taste.
What is tomato paste anyway? Tomato paste is made by cooking down fresh tomatoes and straining their seeds and skin, which condenses them down to a paste. Interesting, right!
You may find seasoned tomato paste at the store, but traditionally, tomato paste is simply cooked down tomatoes and nothing else.
Which should be easy to substitute for, right? Yes! I found more than a few ways to create this flavorful paste in a pinch and beyond. I'm excited to share with you all the interesting and helpful information I found!
Fast Easy Dinner Ideas
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