17 Recipes That Prove Canned Tomatoes Are a Kitchen Essential We rely on canned tomatoes for everything from sauce to soup to stew; they're the backbone of so many recipes. Close Credit: Nico Schinco What can’t you make with canned tomatoes? They are one of the pantry items we rely on throughout the year, reaching for them when we make all kinds of canned tomato recipes, including classic pasta sauces, rich braises, and vegetarian soups. Never think that dishes made with canned tomatoes are less worthy than those made with fresh tomatoes. The tomatoes used for canning are specifically selected because they are dense and flavorful, with a higher flesh-to-juice ratio, giving the cook more substance to add to the pot. Most canned tomatoes are a variety of plum tomato—most often Roma and sometimes San Marzano—that were picked at peak ripeness, peeled, and packed in tomato juice. No matter the brand or variety, a basil leaf is often included. Gardeners know that tomatoes and basil thrive when planted next to each other, and the same principle applies in the kitchen; basil's sweet aroma naturally complements tomatoes. 22 Quick Sunday Night Dinner Ideas That Soothe and Satisfy 01 of 17 Vegetable-Bean Soup Credit: Brie Goldman It has canned tomatoes as its base, but this adaptable recipe can be turned into any vegetable soup you want. The recipe comes with suggestions for variations and upgrades galore. View Recipe 02 of 17 Creamy Tomato Soup Credit: Brie Goldman Whole, peeled canned tomatoes are the main ingredient in this easy-to-make soup. They partner with onion, garlic, chicken stock, and heavy cream to make a rich-tasting, soothing bowl. View Recipe 03 of 17 Fish Stew With Herbed Toasts Credit: James Ransom For a quick fish stew, this cod and tomato recipe can't be beat. It all comes together in 30 minutes. View Recipe 04 of 17 All-Purpose Tomato Sauce Credit: Chris Simpson This simple-to-make sauce has butter stirred in at the end, smoothing out the tomato flavor and adding a bit of richness. View Recipe 05 of 17 Cheesy Butter-Bean Shakshuka Credit: Nico Schinco For a tasty brunch dish or cozy supper, make this recipe with common canned plum tomatoes or the harder-to-find canned cherry tomatoes available in some grocery stores. Cheesy Butter-Bean Shakshuka 06 of 17 Creamy Tomato Sauce Credit: Chris Simpson As an alternative to a traditional marinara sauce or meaty ragu, we suggest you try this smooth tomato sauce; cream mellows the flavor and makes it a touch more decadent. Try it with any type of pasta or with homemade potato gnocchi. View Recipe 07 of 17 Sausage and Meat Sauce This ever-popular sauce is robust with the flavors of sausage and rosemary. It's a great recipe for a night when there is a crowd to feed. Sausage Meat Sauce 08 of 17 Chicken Bolognese With Tagliatelle Credit: Sharon Radisch Ragu Bolognese is made lighter with ground chicken rather than the usual pork and beef, and in less time. This pasta dinner is a win-win. Chicken Bolognese With Tagliatelle 09 of 17 Swiss-Chard Lasagna A vegetarian lasagna that feeds four. Fresh Swiss chard makes it healthful as well as tasty, and we employ no-boil noodles to get you to dinner faster. View Recipe 10 of 17 Three-Ingredient Marinara Credit: Johnny Miller Whizz a can of tomatoes in a food processor and simmer for fifteen minutes—does it get any simpler? Then the marinara is ready to go—did you start the pasta? View Recipe 11 of 17 Cioppino (Seafood Stew) Credit: Dana Gallagher This simple-to make seafood bowl has a lively tomato broth and is packed with mussels, clams, and white fish. View Recipe 12 of 17 Vegetarian Chili Credit: Johnny Miller This vegetarian chili is built around pantry ingredients: canned tomatoes but also canned beans and canned green chiles. Fresh diced zucchini adds bulk to the sauce without affecting flavor. View Recipe 13 of 17 Easy Beef Chili A basic beef chili without any beans or vegetables, apart from aromatics, this chili develops deep flavor in a surprisingly short amount of time. View Recipe 14 of 17 Chicken Cacciatore With Cremini Mushrooms Use your slow cooker to easily turn one chicken and six simple ingredients (including a large can of plum tomatoes) into a warming, satisfying meal. View Recipe 15 of 17 Classic Margherita Pizza This classic pizza is always a crowd-pleaser, with a simple no-cook tomato sauce and mozzarella. Once you've got this version down, you can start adding other toppings for a twist. View Recipe 16 of 17 Minestrone With Collard Greens and White Beans Credit: José Manuel Picayo Rivera Any night is a good time for a pot of minestrone. This one provides nourishment for a busy day via fiber-rich white beans and iron-filled collard greens. View Recipe 17 of 17 Classic Minestrone A hearty minestrone that's filled with vegetables, this recipe is an old favorite. It is also a good reminder to never throw away the rind of parmesan cheese—add it to the soup pot instead for an extra-rich broth. View Recipe Explore more: Food & Cooking Recipes Ingredients