Canned tomatoes are a staple in my pantry and I’m willing to bet you have a few cans in your pantry too. Put them to good use in these hearty stews and soup with canned tomatoes. All of the recipes are one pan meals, too!
A well-stocked pantry is essential. I keep a good variety of canned tomatoes on hand, especially diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Canned beans, pasta, rice, and broth are also staples I like to have on my shelves, along with dried herbs and spices. When I have these fundamentals, I can always put together a soup, stew, or pasta dinner on nights when I don’t have a meal planned.
This collection of soup and stew recipes all contain some form of canned tomatoes. Every recipe is pretty easy to make and can be made with canned tomatoes and other ingredients you may already have in your pantry. The recipes are flexible, too, meaning you can easily substitute items that you do happen to have on hand.
All of the recipes are one pan meals. I know you don’t want a big clean-up, who does? All of the recipes on this list can be made in one pot, whether it’s a Dutch oven, Instant Pot, or crockpot. Woo hoo!
Why buy canned tomatoes?
Canned tomatoes are nutritious and low calorie. They are versatile and inexpensive. They taste great, sometimes better than fresh tomatoes that are out of season. Canned tomatoes keep forever and are easy to use. Stock up today and be ready to do some cooking!
Different Kinds of Canned Tomatoes
- Use the type of canned tomatoes that the recipe calls for. Canned tomatoes can be whole, diced, stewed, sauce, puree, or paste. The recipe will specify which kind to use. Usually, canned tomatoes are NOT interchangeable. For example, if the recipe calls for diced tomatoes, don’t substitute whole tomatoes; if the recipe calls for tomato paste, tomato sauce won’t be a good alternative. Your recipe may not turn out.
- Look for no-salt-added canned tomatoes. It’s surprising how much sodium regular canned tomatoes contain (220 mg in a ½ cup serving of diced tomatoes compared to 15 mg) and there isn’t really a difference in flavor. Why add unnecessary sodium?
Tomato Paste Tip
If a recipe calls for a partial can of tomato paste (ex. 2 tablespoons), don’t throw away the remaining tomato paste. Divide the tomato paste (2 tablespoons each) into snack-size bags, ice cube trays, or freezer cubes for future use. Tomato paste is also available in easy-to-use tubes.
Chili Recipes With Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are an essential ingredient of most chili recipes. Be sure to take a look at my collection of more than 12 Easy Chili Recipes. You’ll find recipes for beef chili, chicken chili, chili made with ground turkey, vegetarian chili, and more, all made with canned tomatoes. Make chili in your Instant Pot, on the stove, or in a slow cooker.
tomato Soup Recipes
Warm, comforting, and hearty — all words that describe this simple crockpot tomato soup (two 28 oz. cans whole or diced tomatoes).
Healthy creamy tomato soup is protein-rich, thanks to the addition of white beans. Smooth and delicious, it’s a perfect choice for lunch or dinner (two 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes or one 28 oz. can).
Creamy and tangy, Instant Pot tomato soup is so delicious and easy to make that you’ll find yourself wondering why you ever bought a can of boring tomato soup (two 28 oz. cans whole tomatoes).
Soup With Canned Tomatoes
Slow cooker minestrone soup is filled with fresh veggies and quinoa – healthy, delicious, and it cooks practically on its own (28 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Chock full of nutritious and tasty vegetables, tomatoes, kidney beans, and pasta, this hearty Instant Pot minestrone soup can be made in less than an hour (28 oz. can diced tomatoes, 2 T. tomato paste).
An Italian favorite, pasta e fagioli soup is brimming with creamy cannellini beans, leafy greens, tomatoes, and pasta. Every spoonful is delicious (14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Love lasagna but hate making all those layers? You’re going to love this stress-free lasagna soup recipe. It’s a one pan dinner winner (28 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Enjoy the tantalizing aroma of beef barley soup as it simmers in your kitchen. Brimming with hearty beef, savory vegetables, and barley, it’s satisfying and delicious (14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes).
While it may sound rather ordinary, hamburger soup is a flavorful crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make (two 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes, one 6 oz. can tomato paste).
So flavorful and nutritious, chicken tortilla soup is mildly spicy and easy to make. With black beans, corn, tomatoes, and crispy homemade corn tortilla strips, it’s sure to please (two 14.5 oz. cans petite diced tomatoes).
Hearty and healthy, this lentil soup recipe is loaded with flavorful veggies and pasta. Lentil soup is a satisfying, meatless entree you can have on the table in an hour (14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes).
White bean soup with kale and pancetta has similar flavors as bean with bacon soup, but you can feel good about eating this flavorful and hearty soup (14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Stew Recipes Using Canned Tomatoes
Instant Pot beef stew is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that the whole family will love. This classic comfort food is quick and easy to make in the pressure cooker (14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Crockpot beef stew is chockfull of tender beef, vegetables, and flavorful gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort food (14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Vegetarian Moroccan stew with butternut squash and chickpeas sings with a medley of vegetables, raisins, and spices. Serve it with whole wheat couscous for a filling meatless main dish (28 oz. can diced tomatoes).
Italian sausage stew with white beans, kale, and homemade croutons is easy to make, and it’s a healthy delicious meal! A one pan meal ready in less than a half hour (14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes).
You’ll love chicken with cornmeal dumplings simmered in a rich chicken stew laced with tomatoes, peppers, celery, and carrots (28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes OR two 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes).
You’ll love traditional shakshuka: poached eggs nestled in spicy tomato sauce redolent with peppers and onions, topped with briny feta, and served with crisp toast (28 oz. can crushed tomatoes).
