10 Ways to Use Tomato Sauce

You've put up jars and jars of fresh tomato sauce, now here's how to use it (beyond pasta, of course).

Eggs Baked in Roasted Tomato Sauce
Photo: PHOTO © QUENTIN BACON

Whether you've harnessed a bountiful garden into jars of fresh tomato sauce, stocked your pantry with your favorite store-bought variety, or simply have some leftover in the fridge, we've got lots of ideas for how to use it that go beyond pasta. Here are 10 imaginative ways to make delicious meals that start with a jar of tomato sauce.

  1. Eggs: For a satisfying breakfast, simmer eggs in the sauce until they set.
  2. Soup: Heat the tomato sauce with broth and cream to thin it out, then garnish with herbs and perhaps some homemade croutons for the easiest tomato soup ever.
  3. Fish: Infuse white fish, like cod, with tons of flavor by poaching it in tomato sauce.
  4. Risotto or polenta: Ladle the hot sauce in a shallow bowl and top with a simple mushroom risotto or polenta.
  5. Beans: Eat like a Tuscan and briefly simmer cooked white beans in the sauce (make sure the beans are fully cooked because tomatoes prevent them from becoming tender) for a simple, satisfying dinner.
  6. Grilled cheese: Spread a thin layer of sauce inside the sandwich before cooking.
  7. Curry: Turn the Italian sauce into a lush Indian-inspired one. Sauté ginger, jalapeño, and extra garlic with curry powder, then add tomato sauce and half as much coconut milk. Simmer until the flavors meld; season with salt, sugar, and cilantro.
  8. Vegetable noodles: Toss strands of summer or winter squash with the tomato sauce to serve like pasta.
  9. Mussels and clams: Steam the shellfish in tomato sauce until they pop open — the ocean-y juices will season the sauce.
  10. Okra: Cook this late-summer vegetable whole in tomato sauce until tender, then serve hot or at room temperature.
Was this page helpful?
Related Articles