Crushing It with Canned Tomatoes

Jenny deRemer

Aug 22, 2025

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Canned tomatoes might seem basic, but they’re a powerhouse ingredient that can transform simple dishes into something truly special. These recipes show just how versatile and flavorful canned tomatoes can be, proving that convenience doesn’t have to come at the cost of taste. Whether you’re looking to whip up a quick weeknight dinner or experiment with a new dish, these recipes will change the way you think about this pantry staple. I’ve found that having a few cans on hand means you’re always just a few steps away from a delicious, hearty meal. You’ll be surprised at how much flavor you can pack into your cooking with this humble ingredient.

Table of Contents

Ninja Foodi Spaghetti

A plate of spaghetti Bolognese garnished with fresh basil leaves is set on a white surface. In the background, there is a red and white checkered cloth and a fork and knife placed to the right side of the plate.
Ninja Foodi Spaghetti. Photo credit: We Eat At Last.

For a quick and delicious spaghetti dinner, this recipe uses the Ninja Foodi to combine ground beef, pasta, and canned tomatoes in one pot. The result is a comforting meal that’s ready in no time, with minimal cleanup required. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty and homey.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Foodi Spaghetti

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

A close-up of a creamy chicken chili dish in a black slow cooker. The chili includes shredded chicken, beans, diced tomatoes, and green peppers, all mixed in a rich, seasoned sauce. The dish appears hearty and flavorful.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Flavorful Eats.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is set to become your go-to slow cooker dish! It’s creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor, making it incredibly easy to prepare. Just top it with your favorite garnishes for a truly satisfying meal!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

San Marzano Tomato Sauce

A pan filled with vibrant tomato sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves, is placed on a wooden cutting board. A wooden spoon with some sauce on it rests beside the pan, and garlic cloves are visible in the corner. A dark cloth lies partially underneath the board.
San Marzano Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Marcellina in Cucina.

When it comes to making a rich tomato sauce, San Marzano tomatoes are a top choice. These canned tomatoes deliver a sweet, balanced taste that elevates any pasta dish. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a sauce that’s both comforting and versatile for various meals.
Get the Recipe: San Marzano Tomato Sauce

Leftover Turkey Lentil Soup

A close-up of a bowl filled with a hearty soup containing vegetables and noodles, garnished with a spoon. Two pieces of herb-infused flatbread are placed on the side of the bowl, partially dipped in the soup, with a blue cloth napkin visible in the background.
Leftover Turkey Lentil Soup. Photo credit: Midwexican.

This turkey lentil soup is a satisfying way to make use of leftover turkey while incorporating nutritious lentils. Canned tomatoes provide a robust base, making this soup flavorful and perfect for cooler weather. It’s a wholesome dish that’s easy to whip up and even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Lentil Soup

Best Salsa Recipe Using Canned Tomatoes (Just 5 Ingredients!)

A mason jar filled with homemade salsa on a kitchen countertop. In the background, there is a halved lime and a jar lid. The blurred kitchen utensils and ingredients contribute to a bustling cooking atmosphere.
Best Salsa Recipe Using Canned Tomatoes (Just 5 Ingredients!). Photo credit: Kitchen Serf.

Whip up a quick and flavorful salsa with just a handful of ingredients, starring canned tomatoes. This salsa is fresh, vibrant, and perfect for dipping or topping your favorite dishes. Whether for a party or a snack, it’s a go-to recipe that’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Best Salsa Recipe Using Canned Tomatoes (Just 5 Ingredients!)

Hearty and Easy Marinara Sauce

A white pot filled with a chunky, vibrant red tomato sauce garnished with chopped fresh basil. A wooden spoon rests in the sauce, suggesting it has been recently stirred.
Hearty and Easy Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: We Eat At Last.

This marinara sauce is a go-to for busy weeknights, using canned tomatoes to create a hearty and rich flavor. It’s simple yet satisfying, perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce. The best part? It’s easy to make, ensuring you have a homemade sauce on hand whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Hearty and Easy Marinara Sauce

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs and Sauce

A black slow cooker filled with meatballs in tomato sauce sits on a red and white checkered tablecloth. A bunch of uncooked spaghetti and a sprig of fresh basil are placed beside the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs and Sauce. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

These Italian meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, absorbing all the flavors during a slow cook. This dish is perfect for cozy family dinners, with the meatballs turning tender and flavorful. Serve them over pasta or in a sub for a comforting meal everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs and Sauce

Pasta alla Pizzaiola

A bowl of rigatoni pasta topped with tomato sauce and fresh basil sits on a red-and-white checkered cloth. Surrounding the bowl are fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes. A fork rests next to the bowl on the cloth.
Pasta alla Pizzaiola. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Pasta alla Pizzaiola is a delicious dish that combines pasta with a tomato sauce bursting with flavor. Canned tomatoes are key here, adding richness to the garlic and oregano-spiced sauce. It’s an easy meal that feels special, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Pizzaiola

Chili for a Crowd {Beef & Chorizo}

A gray bowl filled with a hearty chili, topped with shredded cheese and chopped green onions. A spoon is placed inside the bowl. The bowl is on a dark wooden table, next to a folded white and gray checkered cloth. Another dish is partially visible in the background.
Chili for a Crowd {Beef & Chorizo}. Photo credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

This beef and chorizo chili is hearty and flavorful, perfect for feeding a crowd. Canned tomatoes create a rich, robust base that complements the spiciness of the chorizo. Whether for a game day or family gathering, this chili is sure to please everyone around the table.
Get the Recipe: Chili for a Crowd {Beef & Chorizo}

Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop – Instant Pot

Three crispy tacos filled with ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and grated cheese sit in a metal taco holder. In the background, a small white bowl of salsa is visible. The tacos are arranged on a dark, textured surface with a vibrant pink cloth nearby.
Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop – Instant Pot. Photo credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

These ground beef tacos are a quick and flavorful option for taco night. Canned tomatoes add a burst of flavor to the seasoned beef, making these tacos juicy and delicious. Cook them on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot for an easy and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop – Instant Pot

Three Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili (Easy & Healthy)

A bowl of chili topped with diced onions, cilantro, and a lime wedge on a green napkin. The chili contains beans, vegetables, and meat. A piece of bread with seeds rests beside the bowl, and a spoon is placed on the napkin. Another bowl of chili is partially visible in the background.
Three Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili (Easy & Healthy). Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This turkey chili is loaded with beans and flavor, making it a healthy and hearty choice. Canned tomatoes give the chili a rich base, while the slow cooker does all the work. It’s a dish that’s both nourishing and convenient, perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Three Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili (Easy & Healthy)

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore & Veggie-Packed Tomato Sauce

A white plate filled with cooked chicken pieces garnished with fresh parsley, sitting on a bed of chunky red and green bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms in a rich, savory sauce. The plate is placed on a round wooden board, with a cloth napkin beside it.
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore & Veggie-Packed Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Chicken cacciatore is a classic dish, and this slow cooker version makes it easy to enjoy. Canned tomatoes create a flavorful sauce that’s packed with vegetables, making this a wholesome and satisfying meal. Just set it and forget it, and you’ll have a delicious dinner waiting for you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore & Veggie-Packed Tomato Sauce

Very Veggie Chili

A colorful bowl of vegetarian chili topped with avocado slices, shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro. On the side, there are lime wedges, a halved avocado, and a bunch of cilantro. Two spoons and another bowl of chili are also visible in the background.
Very Veggie Chili. Photo credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

This veggie chili is packed with flavor and nutrition, thanks to an array of vegetables and beans. Canned tomatoes form the hearty base, making this a comforting dish that’s perfect for any time of the year. It’s a great option for a meatless meal that’s both filling and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Very Veggie Chili

Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup

A bowl of chicken tortilla soup garnished with avocado slices, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips. Surrounding the bowl are lime halves on a plate, shredded cheese in a separate bowl, fresh cilantro, and a whole avocado with a knife on a cutting board.
Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Cooks with Soul.

This tortilla soup is a breeze to make using rotisserie chicken and canned tomatoes. The tomatoes add a tangy depth to the broth, balancing out the spices and creamy toppings. It’s a satisfying, easy-to-make soup that’s perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

A close-up of a spoonful of hearty soup topped with shredded cheese and a cilantro leaf. The soup contains black beans, corn, shredded chicken, and diced tomatoes. A bowl of soup and other food items are blurred in the background.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Tessie’s Table.

This chicken tortilla soup comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker, with canned tomatoes adding rich flavor to the broth. The result is a warming, comforting soup that’s packed with spices and tender chicken. Top it with crunchy tortilla strips for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ground Beef Casserole

A close-up of a casserole dish filled with baked lasagna. The top layer is golden brown with melted cheese and visible meat sauce. Fresh green herbs are sprinkled on top, adding a pop of color to the dish.
Ground Beef Casserole. Photo credit: The Honour System.

This ground beef casserole is a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor. Canned tomatoes contribute to the savory sauce, making this casserole rich and satisfying. It’s perfect for a quick dinner, and the leftovers are even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Casserole

Pasta With Coconut Milk

A bowl of creamy pasta with chickpeas, mushrooms, and a garnish of fresh parsley. The dish is placed on a gray cloth with the text "THYME FOR FLAVOR" in the bottom right corner. A fork and spoon are partially visible in the background.
Pasta With Coconut Milk. Photo credit: Thyme for Flavor.

This pasta dish is a unique combination of coconut milk and canned tomatoes, creating a creamy yet tangy sauce. It’s a simple, quick meal that’s full of flavor and perfect for weeknights. The coconut milk adds a subtle sweetness, balancing out the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Pasta With Coconut Milk

Tomato and Mascarpone Risotto

A white bowl filled with creamy risotto garnished with a sprig of parsley and shredded cheese sits on a wooden board with a spoon. Another bowl of risotto and a small bowl of sauce are in the background. The text "THE RICE CHICK" is at the bottom.
Tomato and Mascarpone Risotto. Photo credit: The Rice Chick.

This risotto is a creamy, comforting dish that uses canned tomatoes to add a rich, tangy flavor. The mascarpone cheese makes it extra creamy, creating a dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners. It’s a simple yet elegant meal that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and Mascarpone Risotto

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of creamy tomato soup with chopped parsley and grated cheese, a wooden spoon inside, and bowls of cheese and parsley beside it.
Photo Credit: Real Balanced.

This Italian sausage soup is hearty and full of flavor, with canned tomatoes adding a robust base to the creamy broth. It’s a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for cooler days. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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