Tomato Paste Replacement for Canned Tomato

Learn how to use tomato paste as a perfect substitute for canned tomatoes or passata in sauces, soups, curries, and pasta bakes. Once incorporated into a dish, the flavor is indistinguishable from canned tomato, making it a handy kitchen trick.

Instructions

1. 1

   Whisk 1/4 cup water (65ml) with flour until smooth and lump-free.

2. 2

   Add remaining water, tomato paste, and sugar. Mix until fully combined.

3. 3

   Use in recipes in place of canned tomato, adding at the point the original recipe calls for canned tomato.

4. 4

   Note that it will be watery initially, but the flour thickens the mixture as it cooks in bolognese, soups (e.g., Minestrone), curries, or pasta bakes.

5. 5

   It can be cooked quickly or simmered for hours, depending on your recipe, such as in Ragu or Bacon Pasta.

6. 6

   For fridge storage, keep covered for up to 5 days. For freezing, simmer on medium-high for 3 minutes until thickened, then cool and freeze.

Recipe Notes

• This mixture yields about 400g / 14oz, equivalent to one standard can of tomato.

• Use at the point your recipe calls for canned tomato. The mixture will thicken as it cooks.

• Works in quick recipes or slow-simmered dishes alike, including curries, soups, pasta bakes, and ragus.

• For fridge storage, keep covered for up to 5 days.

• For freezing, simmer for 3 minutes on medium-high until thickened, cool, then freeze.