• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food Lovin Family
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cooking Tips
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Drinks
  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Sweets
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cooking Tips
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Recipes
    • Cooking Tips
  • ×

    Home » Cooking Tips » Substitutes

    11 Best Substitutes For Tomato Sauce

    Published: Apr 4, 2022 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe

    Tomato sauce is a favorite ingredient for many recipes. It is made by cooking tomatoes into a medium thick sauce that is then strained to remove seeds and peels. However, there may come a time when you realize you don’t have that emergency can in the back of your pantry, and will have to quickly find a substitute.

    Luckily, we have done the legwork and found the best substitutes for tomato sauce. Most can be prepared with items you already have on hand!

    Can of tomato paste and bowls of tomato sauce.

    The Best Ways to Create Tomato Sauce Substitutions

    It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan and a backup to the backup plan while cooking! You never know when you’re going to need to substitute an ingredient using other items in your kitchen. Since tomato sauce is a frequent ingredient in many recipes like pink pasta sauce, you may find yourself having to substitute it with something else at one point or another and it’s best to be prepared!

    We have found ten awesome substitutes for tomato sauce, using a medley of ingredients that many kitchens already have on hand. From spaghetti sauce to blended red bell peppers (trust me on this one), there are many ways you can create a tomato sauce substitute! This guide will provide you with an arsenal of ideas that you’ll be able to pull from if you notice that the can of tomato sauce you swore you had in the back of the cupboard is nowhere to be found.

    Table of contents

    • The Best Ways to Create Tomato Sauce Substitutions
    • Best Substitutes for Tomato Sauce
      • 1. Canned Tomatoes
      • 2. Tomato Paste
      • 3. Spaghetti Sauce
      • 4. Tomato Puree
      • 5. Tomato Soup
      • 6. Ketchup
      • 7. Marinara Sauce
      • 8. Tomato Juice
      • 9. Tomato Passata
      • 10. Fresh Tomatoes
      • 11. Pureed Red Bell Peppers
    • Easy homemade tomato sauce substitute
    • Recipes with tomato sauce
    • More substitute ideas

    Best Substitutes for Tomato Sauce

    Each of these great options can be used as a 1 to 1 substitute.

    1. Canned Tomatoes

    Turning canned tomatoes into a substitute for tomato sauce is as easy as draining the can, dumping them into a blender, and then reducing the mixture over heat (this step is optional). 

    I also recommend adding Italian seasonings into the mixture to make it a great substitution, as tomato sauce is packed with them.

    Canned tomatoes spilling out of can.

    2. Tomato Paste

    If you have tomato paste in your kitchen, you are in massive luck! This is probably the best substitute for tomato sauce because when mixed with water, the consistency is the most similar.

    Mix together equal parts tomato paste and water, and voila! Tomato sauce. Taste as you go and add seasoning as desired.

    Open can of tomato paste.

    3. Spaghetti Sauce

    This seems like the obvious substitution for tomato sauce because of the similar consistency, but just be aware because these jarred spaghetti sauces and pizza sauce are typically loaded with flavor! Due to this, you may have to adjust any other ingredients in your recipe accordingly to make sure no one flavor is too overpowering.

    Bowl of spaghetti sauce and dry pasta.

    4. Tomato Puree

    This is a wonderful tomato sauce substitute, although it is a little bit of a thicker consistency. To thin it out, simply add splashes of water in increments until it is at your desired consistency. Or, you can leave it as is and create a new, thicker texture to the final dish! 

    Bowl and spoon of tomato puree.

    5. Tomato Soup

    A can of tomato soup would work great as an emergency substitute! However, since soup tends to be more thinned out than classic tomato sauce, remove ¼ cup of liquid from the overall recipe to make sure it’s more coagulated. 

    Also, I recommend creating your sauce substitute with tomato soup in a separate dish rather than adding it directly into your dish, so that way you can play with the flavor and consistency.

    Bowl of tomato soup.

    6. Ketchup

    I know what you’re thinking: Ketchup, really? But when you’re in a bind, tomato ketchup can definitely work as a substitute for tomato sauce! 

    It does have a bit more of a sweet flavor, so if that’s what your meal calls for, like meatloaf, then this works great! If not, I would use this sparingly.

    Bottle and bowl of ketchup.

    7. Marinara Sauce

    Marinara sauce is a good option to use for recipes like pizza and pasta. Similar to spaghetti sauce, it is typically full of seasonings.

    Jars of marinara sauce.

    8. Tomato Juice

    Tomato juice can be used in most recipes calling for tomato sauce. However, since it is very thin, simmer the juice over heat to thicken it up. You can also do this by making a roux, mixing in fat and flour to get it to the consistency you desire. 

    Glass of tomato juice.

    9. Tomato Passata

    Tomato passata is similar to tomato sauce in that it is pureed tomatoes with the seeds and skin removed. This makes it an awesome tomato sauce substitute! You can also reduce it over heat to thicken it up and get a more concentrated tomato flavor. This is a staple in many Italian kitchens, so you know it’s a good option!

    Bowl of tomato passata.

    10. Fresh Tomatoes

    If you have some time, fresh tomatoes can work really well. Soak them in warm water to get them soft, then remove the skins and seeds and mash them into a pulp. Add the tomato mash into a saucepan and simmer until reduced by at least half and add olive oil and seasonings to your liking.

    Bunch of fresh tomatoes.

    11. Pureed Red Bell Peppers

    This may seem surprising but the results yield a great substitute for tomato sauce! Roast the red peppers until charred and softened, puree them in a food processor until smooth and you have a tomato sauce substitution! Add water if it needs to be thinner, but typically it will be a great consistency and can be used in any recipe that calls for tomato sauce.

    Bowl of pureed roasted peppers.

    Easy homemade tomato sauce substitute

    I have found that my favorite way to substitute is by mixing 1/2 cup of tomato paste and 1/4 cup of water. This makes a homemade tomato sauce by thinning out the paste.

    Recipes with tomato sauce

    • Baked Mostaccioli
    • No Boil Lasagna

    More substitute ideas

    • Cotjita Cheese Substitute
    • Chicken Broth Substitutes
    • Sage Substitutes
    • Cardamom Substitutes
    • Cornmeal Substitutes
    • Mushroom Substitutes
    Can of tomato paste and bowls of tomato sauce.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Substitutes For Tomato Sauce

    Substitutes for tomato sauce plus this easy homemade substitute.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time4 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: tomato sauce
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup tomato paste
    • 1/4 cup water

    Instructions

    • Stir the tomato paste and water and use as a tomato sauce substitute.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 1328mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1998IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @foodlovinfamily or tag #foodlovinfamily!

    More Substitutes

    • Best Substitutes For Cotija Cheese
    • The Best Sage Substitutes
    • 8 of The Best Cardamom Substitutes
    • 12 Best Cornmeal Substitutes
    • Facebook

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello and thank you for visiting Food Lovin’ Family! With 3 kids I know it can be hard getting food on the table. Here you will find easy and delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

    More about me →

    Favorite Recipes

    • 25 Best Fondue Recipes
    • 28 Best Movie Snacks
    • 21 Best Loaded Fries Recipes
    • Chili Cheese Dip
    • How Long To Bake Chicken Wings
    • 31 Delicious Crescent Roll Recipes

    Sweets

    31 Best Blueberry Desserts

    Slice of blueberry pie, blueberry ice cream, and piece of blueberry buckle.

    27 Best Brownie Mix Recipes

    Chocolate cookies, brownie sundae, and brownies.

    Brownie Sundae

    28 Best Movie Snacks

    Candy, popcorn, chicken nuggets, and soft pretzel.

    More Love →

    Drinks

    25 Delicious Breakfast Drinks

    Smoothie, hot chocolate, frappuccino, and mimosa.

    25 Delicious Apple Cider Cocktails

    Glass filled with ice and apple juice.

    25 Spooky Halloween Cocktails

    Orange martini, bloody mary, and green martini.

    30 Festive Christmas Cocktails

    Copper much with cranberries, blue drink, green drink, and a milky drink.

    More Love →

    Lunch

    30 Best Fall Soup Recipes

    Four bowls of soup.

    30 Tortilla Wrap Recipes

    Chicken tortilla wrap, hap and cheese wrap, and chicken wrap.

    25 Bagel Sandwich Recipes

    Four different bagel sandwiches

    50 Cold Lunch Ideas

    Chicken wrap, chicken salad, tortilla roll up, and stacked sandwich.

    More Love →

    Breakfast

    Strawberry Muffins

    25 Delicious Breakfast Drinks

    Smoothie, hot chocolate, frappuccino, and mimosa.

    McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce Recipe

    Bowl of yellow sauce and a spoon.

    27 Best Bisquick Recipes

    Breakfast casserole, chicken tenders, pizza, and piece of quiche on plate.

    More Love →

    Appetizers

    25 Best Fondue Recipes

    Cheese fondue with bread, chocolate strawberry fondue, steak fondue.

    28 Best Movie Snacks

    Candy, popcorn, chicken nuggets, and soft pretzel.

    21 Best Loaded Fries Recipes

    Loaded cheese fries.

    Chili Cheese Dip

    Hand holding chip with cheese dip.

    More Love →

    Dinner

    Meatloaf Sandwich

    Meatloaf sandwich and bowl of chips.

    How To Cook Sizzle Steak

    Cooked steak on a plate with green beans.

    31 Breakfast For Dinner Ideas

    Breakfast casserole, steak bagel sandwich, egg and sausage bowl.

    Meatloaf With Brown Gravy

    Meatloaf with gravy and mashed potatoes on a plate.

    More Love →

    Footer

    Collage of logos.

    Copyright © 2022 foodlovinfamily.com. All rights reserved. PRIVACY POLICY.