What Can I Make With Crushed Tomatoes?

Crushed tomatoes are a pantry powerhouse. They offer a perfect balance of texture and flavor — more refined than diced, but chunkier than purée.

This makes them incredibly versatile, and a go-to ingredient for anyone looking to whip up cozy, comforting, or bold dishes.

What Are Crushed Tomatoes?

Crushed tomatoes are made from peeled, seeded tomatoes that are lightly cooked and crushed — often with a bit of tomato purée added for consistency. They’re less chunky than diced tomatoes and more textured than sauce, making them perfect for recipes that need body and flavor.

Their texture is smooth with some small chunks. They are bright, slightly sweet, and acidic. The crushed tomatoes are mostly used in Sauces, soups, stews, braises, bakes.

What Can I Do With Crushed Tomatoes?

Crushed tomatoes are a powerhouse in the pantry. They encapsulate a sweet spot in body and flavor — more refined than diced, but chunkier than purée.

They are extremely versatile, and a must-have for anyone looking to create comforting or robust meals.

Crushed tomatoes are usually used in Sauces, soups, stews, braises, bakes. Here are some cassic recipes to use with crushed tomatoes:

1. Basic Tomato Sauce 

Ingredients

Olive oil

Garlic

Onion (optional)

Crushed tomatoes

Salt

Pepper

Basil or oregano

Instructions

To prepare a delicious tomato sauce, you need to refine Garlic and onion in olive oil. Then add the crushed tomatoes. Simmer it for 20–30 minutes. Then add the seasoning as per your requirements.

2. Spaghetti Bolognese

Next, you can prepare a robust meat sauce by browning ground beef (or pork/veal), adding aromatics like onions, garlic, celery, carrots. Now deglaze with good wine and simmering with crushed tomatoes. Now cook for some time and the Spaghetti Bolognese should be ready.

3. Shakshuka (or eggs in spicy tomato sauce)

Simmer crushed tomatoes with garlic, onions, cumin, paprika, and chili flakes. Then crack eggs into the sauce and cook just set. Now, serve with brot!

4. Tomato Soup

Sauté onion and garlic. Then add crushed tomatoes and broth and simmer. Then blend together in a smooth paste.

Crushed tomatoes lend body and tartness to any chili with beans and meat. Combine with ground beef, kidney beans, cumin, paprika and spices.

5. Stuffed Peppers

Mix crushed tomatoes in rice and ground meat stuffing, or pour them over stuffed peppers to bake them.

6. One Pot & Weeknight Dinners

• Pasta alla PuttanescaMix crushed tomatoes with olives, capers, garlic, anchovies and chili flakes and serve over spaghetti.
• Tomato RisottoUse crushed tomatoes as a part of the liquid for the risotto to get deep infused flavor from the tomatoes.
• Baked Ziti or Lasagna Layer crushed tomato sauce with pasta, cheese and meat for baked pasta dish indulgence.

7. Tomato Curry Base

Crushed tomatoes are great to use in curry sauces. Sauté with onion, garlic, ginger, and spices and herbs like turmeric, garam masala, and cumin.

8. Mexican Tinga

Use crushed tomatoes with chipotle peppers, onion, garlic, and shredded chicken for a smoky spicy filling for a taco.

9. Moroccan Tagine Base

Simmer crushed tomatoes with cinnamon, paprika, cumin and preserved lemon for a North African style stew.

10. Breakfast & Brunch Ideas

• Tomato Grits or Polenta – Swirl crushed tomatoes into your finished cooked grits and add color.
• Savory Tomato Oats – Mix crushed tomatoes into your steel-cut oats with cheese, herbs and eggs.
• Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce – A variant of shakshuka — works with any leftover tomato-based sauce.
• Pizza & Flatbreads – Crushed tomatoes are perfect for a chunky pizza sauce — just simmer with garlic, salt, and herbs for 15 minutes before spreading onto dough.

12. Pantry Pairings

• Canned beans –These add protein and fiber to tomato-based dishes like stews, soups, and chilis. They’re especially useful for quick vegetarian meals.
• Pasta & grains – Crushed tomatoes create rich sauces for pasta or can be stirred into grains like rice, quinoa, or bulgur for a flavorful one-pot meal.
• Broth or stock – Combine with crushed tomatoes to make soups, braises, or risottos to add a more savory and satisfying flavour.
• Frozen vegetables: Toss into tomato sauces or soups to boost nutrients and color without needing fresh produce.
• Canned fish: Mix tuna or sardines with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs for a quick, Mediterranean-style pasta sauce.

Tips for Cooking with Crushed Tomatoes

• • A splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine
  • A pinch of sugar to balance acidity
  • Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, oregano
  • Parmesan rind while simmering for umami
  • Tomato and fat are best friends. A drizzle of olive oil or a knob of butter smooths the sauce and carries flavor.
  • The longer you simmer crushed tomatoes, the more concentrated and mellow the flavor. At least 20–30 minutes for most sauces.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Fridge (5–7 days): Once opened or cooked into a dish, store crushed tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freezer (up to 6 months): Freeze in labeled portions to use later in soups, sauces, or casseroles — it saves time and reduces waste.
• Batch cooking: Cook a large pot of tomato-based sauce or soup, then portion it out and freeze for ready-to-go meals during busy weeks.

Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly

Crushed tomatoes are a versatile, plant-based base for hearty, meatless meals.

They shine in recipes like eggplant Parmesan, vegan chili, and tomato lentil stew, bringing flavor and richness without animal products.

Use them to create spiced sauces for dishes like tofu tikka masala or savory pasta meals like mushroom ragù.

Homemade vs Store-Bought

• Store-bought – Convenient and shelf-stable, but read labels to avoid added sugars, excess sodium, or preservatives.
• Homemade – Fresh tomatoes make a vibrant, flavorful base — just blanch, peel, crush, and optionally mix with purée for the perfect texture.

Get Creative

• Bloody Mary base: Simmer crushed tomatoes with celery salt, pepper, and spices, then strain for a homemade cocktail mix.
• Tomato popsicles or granita: Blend tomatoes with herbs like basil or mint and freeze into a savory frozen treat — perfect as an appetizer or palate cleanser.
• Tomato cocktails/mocktails: Stir a spoonful into drinks with lemon, chili, or herbs for a tangy twist that adds complexity to non-alcoholic or boozy beverages.

Wrapping Up

Crushed tomatoes are a versatile ingredient, striking a balance between texture and flavor. Their smooth yet slightly chunky consistency makes them ideal for a wide range of dishes, from sauces and soups to stews and bakes.

Whether you’re creating comforting classics or experimenting with robust meals, crushed tomatoes offer the perfect foundation for culinary creativity.