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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Main Dish Recipes

    16 Vegan Recipes with Tomato Paste

    By: Amy Katz · Published: Mar 22, 2022 · Last modified: Mar 22, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Collage of 4 images (tomato paste can, chickpea stew, spaghetti, and lentil soup) with text overlay: The BEST Vegan Recipes with Tomato Paste.

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

    Special diet: gluten-free option, vegan

    Collage of 4 images (can of tomato paste, chickpea stew, spaghetti with tomato sauce, and lentil soup cooking in a pot) with text overlay: The BEST Vegan Recipes with Tomato Paste.

    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 tomato paste is 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.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love these recipes
    • Buying tomato paste
    • Ways to use tomato paste
    • Expert tip
    • Pasta sauce recipes
    • Soup recipes
    • Stew recipes
    • FAQ
    • More recipe collections
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love these recipes

    • They are all vegan and can be made gluten-free.
    • They are loaded with umami flavor 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.

    Ways to use tomato paste

    You'll often see recipes that call for tomato paste in everything from Thousand Island Dressing to Vegan Meat Crumbles to Chocolate Lava Cake.

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

    Expert 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

    Plate of spaghetti with tomato paste pasta sauce.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of penne alla Vodka.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Fork in a bowl of spaghetti with cherry tomato sauce.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Spoon in a pot of rigatoni with cauliflower bolognese sauce.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Plate of rigatoni with eggplant and mushroom sauce.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Soup recipes

    Turquoise pot of lentil soup cooking.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Hand dipping crusty bread into a bowl of tomato soup.

    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!

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of red pepper soup garnished with chives and basil.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of lasagna soup topped with a dollop of cashew ricotta cheese.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of tortilla soup garnished with avocado and limes.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowls of soup with plate of toasted baguette.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Stew recipes

    Bowl of Spanish Chickpea Stew with a piece of baguette in it.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Pot of vegan bourguignon with a spoon in it.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of vegan stew.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of rice and lentil curry topped with cashews.

    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.

    Get the recipe
    Bowl of dal tadka.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    FAQ

    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.

    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.

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    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 NBC News, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, PureWow, Brides, LIVEKINDLY, 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

      March 23, 2022 at 8:56 am

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

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amy! As a Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach, my passion is creating vegan Mediterranean diet recipes to inspire everyone to choose plant-based meals more often. At Veggies Save The Day you'll find simple delicious recipes that are easy to make any night of the week.

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