11 Best Substitutes For Tomato Sauce

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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.

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

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• Chicken Broth Substitutes
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• Cornmeal Substitutes
• Mushroom Substitutes