8 Creative Ways to Turn a Jar of Tomato Sauce into Dinner

updated Nov 28, 2023
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Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn

When it comes to pantry staples, you can depend on canned tomato sauce. Sure, you can always use it to make the trusty standby spaghetti and marinara. But it turns out, just like canned tomatoes, tomato sauce is a hugely versatile ingredient and can be used as the base for a wide variety of comforting pantry dinners. Here are eight dinners I’ve made with tomato sauce.

Recipes with Tomato Sauce

1 / 8
Easy Lasagna
A step-by-step guide to making a simple beef and cheese lasagna.
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2 / 8
Baked Ziti
Here's how to make an all-star baked ziti — one that's never dry, made with a generous amount of cheese, & layered for the ultimate eating experience.
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3 / 8
Simple & Tasty Slow Cooker Chili
Invest your prep time in chili powder from scratch and you'll have the best bowls of simple, tasty chili waiting in the slow cooker when you get home.
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4 / 8
Stuffed Peppers
Got leftovers? Stuff 'em in a pepper, top with cheese, and call it a day!
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5 / 8
Easy Green Minestrone

Anytime you would use a can of tomatoes, you can reliably substitute pasta sauce, especially in thinner soups like minestrone. I made a pot of improvised minestrone soup by boiling pasta sauce mixed with water, chicken broth, and macaroni, but you could easily swap it out with white beans and sausage or do a modified chana masala.

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6 / 8
Easy French Ratatouille Recipe
Make this thick and silky French stew of eggplant, zucchini, sweet peppers, and ripe summer tomatoes before summer ends.
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7 / 8
Pepperoni Pizza
This homemade pizza is even faster, easier, and more delicious than delivery.
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8 / 8
Shakshuka
An easy, step-by-step guide to making Israeli shakshuka for brunch or dinner.
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