Canned tomato recipes are one of the best tools for a home cook. You’ll be able to create so many dishes using quality canned tomatoes. Save this list and refer to it whenever anyone asks: “What’s for dinner?”
Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Due to my passion for quality Italian tomatoes, I was asked to collaborate with the Greatest Tomatoes From Europe and I 🖤 San Marzano DOP campaigns. As always, all opinions are my own.
I’m excited to share this canned tomato information and recipe list with you as I think it will be a game changer for you when you realize the difference that quality canned tomato products will make.
How to Buy Quality Canned Tomatoes
When choosing your canned tomatoes, what do you look for? Do you just buy the same brand you’ve always used just because they are familiar? I am going to ask you to step out of your comfort zone for a minute, but if you trust me, I think this will change your life in a good way.
If you have followed me for any length of time, you know my biggest mantra is to tell you to use the best quality ingredients you can find for any and all of your cooking and recipes, right? Well, one of the most important ingredients that I use on a regular basis is canned tomatoes. They are a staple in my pantry.
Some of you may be thinking, “why does she used canned anything if she’s always saying to used the best quality ingredients”? Well, when we’re not in tomato season, which is a short two or three months of the entire year, the next best option is quality canned tomatoes from Europe. I’ve always preferred Italian canned tomatoes, but after visiting the Ciao tomato factory in Italy last year, I can tell you that quality is the number one priority at all the factories we visited (colleagues visited other factories).
Harvested at the peak of freshness and canned within hours of leaving the fields, these tomatoes grow in the best conditions under the Italian sun. If you’re used to adding sugar to cut down the acidity in your canned tomatoes, this is something you simply won’t need to do anymore.
Look for the brand names listed below (just a few of the many, but more easy to source) next time you’re shopping for canned tomatoes for your pantry, and please let me know if you taste the difference in the outcome of your recipes. I’m going to bet that if you’re not already using these brands, or other quality Italian tomatoes, you’re going to be writing to thank me.
- Ciao
- Fontanella
- Mutti (their purée in glass jars is popular, too)
- La Doria
- La Valle
You may see “Pomodori pelato di Napoli” which means “peeled tomatoes of Naples” on cans; this is a good sign. Consider this another stamp of approval.
Do Italian Canned Tomatoes Contain BPA?
Also, for those of you concerned about BPA in the lining of cans, I went straight to the source to ask about this, and this is the response from CIAO. ”
All Ciao cans are white enamel-lined and BPANI (BPA not intended). This is the technical way of saying BPA free, legally. I’m not sure what other information I can provide other than a technical sheet form the can manufacturer, but as far as I know, the entire industry has moved to this standard. We were probably one of the first ones because we started using the BPANI cans many years ago.”
Note: Pomodori San Marzano Dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP are the top quality Italian tomatoes, and as long as you see this name and two seals, you are guaranteed you are getting a certified product. However, the brands above produce pomodorini (cherry tomatoes), passata (purée), whole, chopped, crushed and more, so you can choose the type that best suits your cooking needs.
I have arranged the recipes below according to the following categories: Soups, Tomato Sauces, Pasta Recipes with Sauces, Baked Main Course Meals, Vegetarian, Seafood, Meat and Poultry, however, some are interchangeable (for example vegetarian soup, or a seafood pasta recipe with sauce) so check the entire list as I only posted each recipe in one category.
Canned Tomato Recipes (Quick, Easy and Delicious)
Curated by Christina Conte
Soups Using Canned Tomatoes
Tomato Sauces
Pasta Recipes with a Tomato Sauce
Baked Main Course Meals
Vegetarian Recipes
Seafood Dishes Using Canned Tomatoes
Meat and Poultry Using Canned Tomato Recipes
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I hope this is a list of canned tomato recipes that you will refer to often,
and you and your family will enjoy!
Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I am paid by the Greatest Tomatoes From Europe and I <3 San Marzano DOP. The company promoting these campaigns found me because I was already promoting their product. All opinions are solely my own.
We always keep canned tomatoes in our pantry, and with this fabulous array of recipes, I’ll put some of them to good use soon. I think I will start with the turmeric and tomato soup. So good and nutritious on a cold day!
Wow. What a brilliant informative email. I haven’t seen many Italian canned tomatoes in stores but maybe I’ve not paid sufficient attention. I haven’t used canned tomatoes for quite some time but will now have a good look! Your recipes are superb so I’m off to one or two supermarkets to have a good look. June.
Indeed, where would be without canned tomatoes? I enjoy all the brands mentioned except Fontanella, which I haven’t seen around here. Curious now to give it a try.
Btw, this post reminds me that I once had a reader comment that if I used canned tomatoes for tomato sauce I might as well just use jarred sauce. Can you believe it?
Oh, there are many more good brands, Frank. Well, some people need a little educating, and unfortunately, he didn’t know that you are one of the best there is. His/her loss. Keep doing what you’re doing!
I totally agree with you on this subject. I have always used the familiar named cans of tomatoes. And then several years ago, I bought a couple of cans of Mutti brand. Wow! Such a difference in flavour. They are a little pricier, but, I keep my pantry stocked with them now. I have never heard of the Ciao brand here in Canada, but I will make a list of the brands you have mentioned and see what’s out there. Even Walmart has an International aisle with an Italian section, so I will see what they have too. Thanks so much for this and your great recipes!
I live in the UK although I am originally from NY where Italian food is so good. I now see Mutti brand on Amazon here and some Mutti sauces in the supermarkets at a cost but have not seen Ciao brand. There is also a brand called Coppola on Amazon. I could look into some of the online Italian shops. I do try and use the very best tomatoes, (San Marzano when I can). I love your recipes with your Italian/Scottish background and your link to both America and the British Isles! It makes for an interesting mix of recipes. I got hooked on your site when I made your Sicilian orange cake. I absolutely adore that!
I’m so glad to read this important information about the best and authentic tomatoes from Europe, I’m sure it will help many people that have no idea about the real product. I have been aware for some, I do appreciate learning more, I’m very conscious about food. Thank you Christina.
Thanks, Anna. I’m so glad you agree and are aware of some food labeling.
I’m totally sold and will be stocking my pantry with them. Such a great, informative post. Thank you. How can I ever use other canned tomatoes now? All of the recipes you included look and sound delicious and thanks for sharing one of mine. :-) Valentina
Thanks Valentina! I am so glad.
You’re right! I’m indeed going to thank you, Christina – as I didn’t know about the website with approved canned/tinned tomatoes. That’s so interesting. Especially, as living in France we don’t have access to that many brands it seems. I did a big shop at one of our supermarkets this morning and as usual, there is only Mutti on the shelves to choose from. Suits me fine as they’re good.
What a delicious round-up of recipes too. Thanks so much for including my French fish stew and for adding the mahi-mahi alternative x
I’m surprised that you don’t have many brands of Italian tomatoes to choose from in France. I hope this brings awareness to others around the globe, as well as in the US.