Easy Recipes That Use Canned Tomatoes

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Delicious things can absolutely emerge from the pantry—especially when you’ve got a can of tomatoes on hand. These easy recipes that use canned tomatoes are weeknight-friendly and wildly satisfying, from Easy Goulash Recipe and Beef Shanks to Lasagna with Cottage Cheese, Carne Picada, and an aromatic Dahl. With just a few staples and a little time, dinner is practically perfect!

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian stuffed pepper.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

These Italian stuffed peppers are a healthy and easy dinner idea that takes less than 30 minutes to make! They feature a cheesy bulgur filling and are made with ground pork, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. This recipe is also gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Italian Stuffed Peppers

Vegan Tomato Soup

Looking down on two bowls of soup, both with croutons on top. There are fresh tomatoes and herbs nearby. There are two spoons on a napkin by the bowls.
Photo credit: Namely Marly

This vegan tomato soup recipe offers a comforting and flavorful experience with a rich, creamy texture. Customize it with your favorite toppings like croutons or vegan parmesan for an extra touch of deliciousness. Perfect for a cozy meal!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Tomato Soup

Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

cottage cheese pasta sauce recipe.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Looking for a protein-packed pasta sauce? This recipe uses cottage cheese to create an ultra-rich and creamy sauce with over 30 grams of protein per serving! It’s a delicious and healthy twist on a classic Italian dish.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup with a spoon
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This Instant Pot Minestrone Soup is a quick and easy way to get a comforting and healthy meal on the table! Packed with colorful vegetables, pasta, and beans, it’s a hearty vegetarian option that’s ready in minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for the perfect finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Easy Goulash Recipe

american goulash in a pot with a spoon
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This easy goulash recipe is a comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight. Seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a medley of vegetables are simmered in a zesty tomato sauce, creating a hearty and flavorful dish the whole family will love. Top it with shredded cheddar cheese for the perfect finishing touch!
Get the Recipe: Easy Goulash Recipe

Dahl

red lentil dahl.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

This easy dahl recipe is a hearty and healthy dish packed with plant-based protein and warming Indian spices. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful vegan and gluten-free meal perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Dahl

Pasta E Fagioli Soup

A close-up of a pot of Minestrone or Pasta E Fagioli Soup, with a ladle lifting a serving. The soup features ditalini pasta, white beans, diced carrots, celery, tomatoes, and herbs in a savory tomato-based broth.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Pasta E Fagioli Soup recipe is a classic Italian comfort food that’s both hearty and flavorful. It’s packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, making it a satisfying vegetarian dish the whole family will love. Make it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker for an easy, delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Beef Shanks

cooked beef shanks.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

This Beef Shanks recipe is the ultimate comfort food, delivering fall-off-the-bone meat in under an hour! Made in the Instant Pot, this dish combines beef shanks with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and a rich tomato-wine sauce for a truly unforgettable meal. Perfect for a cozy night in or a special family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Shanks

Lasagna With Cottage Cheese

lasagna cottage cheese.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

This lasagna with cottage cheese is a lighter and gluten-free take on the classic Italian dish! It’s packed with protein and uses cottage cheese instead of ricotta for a creamy, cheesy, and delicious meal. Enjoy all the flavors of traditional lasagna without the extra guilt.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna With Cottage Cheese

Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe

cooked Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe in the pot
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This easy Crock Pot chili is the perfect dish to set and forget! Loaded with ground beef, beans, and seasonings, this recipe will be a guaranteed touchdown at your next gathering. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Chili Recipe

Carne Picada

carne picada recipes.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

This simple and delicious one-pot Mexican beef stew is packed with flavor but requires little prep. Made with beef chuck roast, onions, garlic, bell peppers, and a blend of Mexican spices, this gluten-free dish is perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a complete and flavorful experience.
Get the Recipe: Carne Picada

Pasta Puttanesca

A plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, black olives, capers, grated cheese, garlic slices, and fresh basil, with a fork placed beside it.
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

This Pasta Puttanesca recipe by Foodie Crush is a flavor explosion made with pantry staples! Transform canned tomatoes, olives, garlic, anchovies, and capers into a rich and satisfying pasta sauce that’s ready in minutes. It’s a simple yet delicious meal perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Puttanesca

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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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