16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (2024)

By: Amy Katz · Published: · Last modified: · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

These 16 delicious vegan recipes with tomato paste will put those little cans in your pantry to good use. Explore this collection of tried-and-true recipes to learn how to use this incredible ingredient to enhance the flavors of vegan pasta sauces, soups, stews, and more. You'll never want to be without it!

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (1)

If you're like me, you may have developed the habit of always keeping some cans of tomato paste on hand in your kitchen. But for a long time, I wasn't sure what to do with them.

But now I know that they are the secret ingredient for adding a burst of intense umami flavor to both slow-cooked and quick recipes. And since a little goes a long way, the small 6-ounce cans work wonderfully in these vegan recipes with tomato paste.

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love these recipes
  • Buying tomato paste
  • Tomato paste FAQs
  • Ways to use tomato paste
  • Amy's tip
  • Pasta sauce recipes
  • Soup recipes
  • Stew recipes
  • More vegan recipes with tomato paste
  • 💬 Comments

Why you'll love these recipes

  • They are all vegan and can be made gluten-free.
  • They are loaded with rich savory flavors thanks to the addition of tomato paste.
  • They are easy to make and highly rated.

Buying tomato paste

Not to be confused with tomato puree, tomato paste is sold in cans, jars, and tubes. You can find it in supermarkets, specialty stores, and online.

The cans are usually sold in 6-ounce (170 grams) and 12-ounce (340 grams) sizes. The jars and tubes are sold in various sizes within this range.

For most recipes, the 6-ounce size will be more than enough. Any remaining paste can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Tomato paste FAQs

What is tomato paste?

Tomato paste is tomatoes which are cooked down, seeds and skin strained out, to form a thick paste.

How long does tomato paste last after opening?

Once opened, transfer the contents to an air-tight container. You can refrigerate tomato paste for 5 to 7 days, or freeze for 2 to 3 months.

How can I make tomato paste?

If you don't want to purchase it in a can, jar, or tube at the supermarket, you can make your own homemade tomato paste. 10 pounds of fresh tomatoes will yield approximately 20 to 24 ounces paste.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (2)

😋 FREE Instant Flavor Guide!

No more boring meals for you!

Ways to use tomato paste

You'll often see recipes that call for tomato paste in everything from salad dressings to Chocolate Lava Cake.

But my favorite vegan recipes with tomato paste include soups, stews, and pasta sauces. The concentrated tomatoes add an extra layer of incredible flavor.

Amy's tip

A little tomato paste goes a long way. If you accidentally add too much, and your dish tastes too acidic, try adding a little sugar to balance the flavor. Balsamic vinegar is another option.

Pasta sauce recipes

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (3)

15 Minute Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce is a delicious and economical alternative to jarred marinara sauce. You only need 6 ingredients to make it, plus salt and pepper. And it's easy to customize it to suit your tastes by adding in your favorite vegetables, herbs, and spices.

15 Minute Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (4)

Vegan Vodka Sauce (Penne alla Vodka) from The Urben Life is a dairy-free version of the classic creamy pasta dish. It's ready in under half and hour with only 8 ingredients, plus salt and pepper.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (5)

Cherry Tomato Sauce from A Virtual Vegan is loaded with tomato flavor and can be made with only 6 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) in under 30 minutes. The addition of non-dairy milk adds a subtle creaminess to this rustic pasta dish.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (6)

Vegan Cauliflower Bolognese from Veggie Inspired calls for riced cauliflower in place of meat. This vegetable-centric sauce is loved by both adults and children.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (7)

Eggplant and Mushroom Rigatoni from Thyme & Love features a plant-based "meaty" sauce cooked with tomatoes, red wine, and balsamic vinegar. Substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta for the whole wheat rigatoni to make it gluten-free.

Soup recipes

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (8)

Greek Lentil Soup features green or brown lentils cooked in broth with onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and tomato paste. Serve it with a drizzle of red wine vinegar and olive oil for the ultimate flavor explosion.

Greek Lentil Soup

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (9)

Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup from The Stingy Vegan utilizes three types of tomatoes: Tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and crushed tomatoes. Talk about umami flavor!

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (10)

Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Quinoa Soup from Short Girl Tall Order is hearty and comforting. Top it with chives, basil, and pine nuts for even more flavor.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (11)

Vegan Lasagna Soup from Dianne's Vegan Kitchen is easier than making traditional lasagna and just as delicious. Caramelizing the tomato paste before adding the vegetable stock gives this soup and extra layer of flavor.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (12)

Vegan Tortilla Soup from Cadry's Kitchen is loaded with black beans, corn, and tomatoes. Substitute chickpeas or soy curls for the seitan to make it gluten-free.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (13)

Chunky Tomato Soup with Cannellini Beans is a Mediterranean-inspired soup featuring a smoky tomato-based broth and creamy white beans. Make a big pot to enjoy during the week or freeze for later.

Chunky Tomato Soup with Cannellini Beans

Stew recipes

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (14)

Spanish Chickpea Stew features a smoky broth seasoned with tomato paste, smoked paprika, cumin, and coriander. You can make this hearty meal in about half and hour with only 10 ingredients, plus salt and pepper.

Spanish Chickpea Stew

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (15)

Vegan Mushroom & Smoked Tofu Bourguignon from The Vegan Larder is rich and delicious. While it does take over 2 hours to prepare, this French-inspired dish is worth your while.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (16)

Instant Pot Vegan Stew from This Healthy Kitchen is hearty and filling featuring lentils, potatoes, mushroom, and other veggies. You can also make it on the stove if you don't have a pressure cooker.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (17)

One-Pot Coconut Lentil Curry from Health My Lifestyle is made with pantry and freezer ingredients. The curry is made with tomato paste instead of fresh tomatoes for added flavor and richness.

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (18)

Instant Pot Dal Tadka from Simple Sumptuous Cooking is made with yellow split pigeon peas, also known as toor dal, and spices including garam masala, turmeric, and red chili pepper. The tomato paste provides a more intense flavor and better texture than fresh tomatoes.

I hope you enjoy these vegan recipes with tomato paste. And whenever you're looking to enhance the flavor of your meals, don't forget the power of tomato paste. For even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.

More vegan recipes with tomato paste

  • Tofu Meatballs
  • Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Chili

More Vegan Recipe Roundups and Guides

  • Blanching Green Beans to Preserve Color and Crunch
  • Vegan Pasta Recipes
  • Vegan Green Bean Recipes
  • Vegan Potato Recipes

About Amy

Amy Katz is a vegan recipe developer, photographer, and Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach. She loves sharing delicious plant-based Mediterranean diet recipes that home cooks of all levels can enjoy. Her easy vegan recipes have been featured on HuffPost, LIVESTRONG, Healthline, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, Country Living, Insider, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in Orange County, California with the love of her life, Brad, and their adorable black cat, Ozzy.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dianne

    I always have a few tubes of tomato paste on hand. Thanks for sharing so many ways to use it!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

16 Vegan Recipes With Tomato Paste (2024)

FAQs

Is tomato paste vegan? ›

Tomato Paste is vegan. A vegan dietitian reviewed this note on tomato paste for Fig. Check if other ingredients are vegan with the free Fig app!

How to make tomato sauce with tomato paste? ›

Substitute Tomato Paste For Tomato Sauce

Mix together 1 part tomato paste and 1 part water until well blended. Then, season your "sauce" to taste. Tomato sauce is typically seasoned with herbs, garlic, and onion. You may even find the sauce benefits from a drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of sugar.

How many tomatoes does it take to make a 6 oz can of tomato paste? ›

Blend a can of tomatoes in a food processor or blender until smooth, pour the mixture into a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and reduced by about two-thirds. A 14.5-ounce can of tomatoes should yield about 2/3 cup (6 ounces) of tomato paste.

Can you freeze extra tomato paste? ›

Step 3: Freeze for Long Term Storage

Because tomato paste has such a low moisture content to begin with, I find that they last quite a while in the freezer. I tend to use tomato paste often, so I've never had any in the freezer longer than 4-5 months, but it's always maintained its quality up to that point.

What does tomato paste make? ›

Tomato paste is added to dishes to impart an intense flavour, particularly the natural umami flavour found in tomatoes. Examples of dishes in which tomato paste may be commonly used include pasta sauces, soups, and braised meat.

Why is ketchup not vegan? ›

While not an animal product in itself, many vegans consider sugar in ketchup to be non-vegan-friendly, as many white and brown sugars are filtered and bleached using animal bone char. Heating cow bones to a high temperature until they break down into carbon creates bone char or activated carbon.

Which sauce is not vegan? ›

Worcestershire Sauce

Other condiments that are often beloved but aren't vegan-friendly include horseradish, fish sauce, and mayonnaise. However, if you do some digging, you can often find plant-based replacements for these condiments.

Can you make sauce with just tomato paste? ›

Because tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomato puree, you can dilute it to the consistency of tomato sauce without much fuss. Adding one cup of water to three-quarters of a cup of tomato paste will result in a tomato base with the same texture and thickness as tomato sauce (after some brisk stirring).

Does tomato paste go bad? ›

Tomato paste lasts in the fridge for five to seven days in a covered glass or plastic container. When stored in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, tomato paste will maintain its best quality for three to four months in the freezer and remain safe to consume after this time.

What happens if you use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce? ›

Consistency: Tomato paste is much thicker and concentrated than diced tomatoes. If you're using tomato paste, you'll need to add water, broth, or another liquid to achieve the desired consistency for your pasta sauce. Flavor: Diced tomatoes contribute a different flavor and texture compared to tomato paste.

How much tomato sauce is equal to tomato paste? ›

How to Substitute Tomato Sauce or Puree for Tomato Paste. You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

Can I eat raw tomato paste? ›

Can you eat tomato paste without cooking it? Yes you can.

How long will tomato paste last in the fridge? ›

Once opened, tomato paste should be used within 5 to 7 days if refrigerated. The presence of mold, an off smell, or a significant change in color indicates spoilage, and the tomato paste should not be consumed.

Can you reuse tomato paste after opening? ›

The original metal can may impart a tinny flavor. To extend the life of your opened tomato paste, you can freeze it. Portion it out into tablespoon-sized dollops on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable bag. These frozen cubes of tomato paste can be used directly in most recipes.

How long does leftover tomato paste last? ›

claims tubed tomato paste lasts over a month in your refrigerator when resealed properly. Unfortunately, once the canned paste has been opened, it only has a shelf life of five to seven days when stored correctly, with glass jars lasting up to 10 days.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6365

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.