10 Smart Uses for Canned Tomatoes That Save Money

Canned tomatoes are one of those pantry staples I never want to be without! They're inexpensive and versatile, and they can turn a handful of simple ingredients into a delicious meal. Whether you're trying to stretch your grocery budget or just need to get dinner on the table with what you already have, canned tomatoes are one of the hardest-working ingredients in the pantry.

If you're looking for inexpensive ways to make your pantry staples work harder, canned tomatoes are a great place to start! A single can will add flavor, moisture, and substance to all kinds of meals, helping you turn basic ingredients into something your family will actually want to eat.

The best part is that they are available year round, last for months in the pantry, and come in several varieties to fit almost any recipe. From soups and casseroles to pasta dishes and skillet meals, there are so many uses for canned tomatoes that you'll never have to wonder what to do with that extra can sitting in the cupboard.

Jump to:

• 1. Make a Quick Pasta Sauce
• 2. Build Flavorful Soups
• 3. Stretch a Pot of Chili
• 4. Create Easy Skillet Meals
• 5. Add Moisture to Casseroles
• 6. Make Homemade Pizza Sauce
• 7. Cook Beans and Lentils
• 8. Make Shakshuka or Baked Eggs
• 9. Turn Them into Homemade Salsa
• 10. Add Them to Slow Cooker Meals
• Bonus Tip 1 - Freeze Leftover Tomatoes
• Bonus Tip 2 - Keep a Variety in Your Pantry
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

1. Make a Quick Pasta Sauce

One of the simplest uses for canned tomatoes is making your own pasta sauce.

Saute a little onion and garlic, add a can of diced or crushed tomatoes, sprinkle in some Italian seasoning, and let everything simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. You'll have a flavorful sauce that's perfect over pasta, ravioli, or even baked potatoes.

You can keep it vegetarian or add cooked ground beef, turkey, sausage, lentils, or mushrooms to make it even heartier.

2. Build Flavorful Soups

A can of tomatoes can completely transform a pot of soup.

They add acidity, richness, and color while helping create a flavorful broth. They're perfect in vegetable soup, lentil soup, minestrone, taco soup, and bean soups.

Even if you're cleaning out the refrigerator, canned tomatoes help tie all those leftover vegetables together into one satisfying meal.

Some of my family's favorite soups are made with canned tomatoes, like this hearty Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup or this easy Roasted Red Pepper Soup.

3. Stretch a Pot of Chili

Chili is one of the best budget meals because it's easy to stretch.

Canned tomatoes add plenty of flavor while helping bulk up the meal with beans, vegetables, or lentils. Even a small amount of ground meat can feed a crowd when it's combined with tomatoes and pantry staples.

The leftovers freeze beautifully too!

4. Create Easy Skillet Meals

Busy weeknights call for simple dinners, and canned tomatoes make one-pan cooking easy.

Brown some ground meat or sauté vegetables, stir in canned tomatoes, then add cooked rice, pasta, potatoes, or beans. Finish with a little shredded cheese if you'd like, and dinner is ready with very little cleanup.

This One Skillet Creamy Tomato Chicken is a dinner my family enjoys so much that we never have leftovers!

5. Add Moisture to Casseroles

Many casseroles benefit from the moisture and flavor canned tomatoes provide.

Mix them into baked pasta dishes, rice casseroles, stuffed peppers, or baked vegetable dishes. They help keep everything tender while adding plenty of flavor without requiring expensive ingredients.

Try this Mediterranean Chicken Casserole for an easy and filling dinner perfect for weeknight cooking.

6. Make Homemade Pizza Sauce

No pizza sauce? No problem!

Blend or mash canned tomatoes with garlic powder, oregano, basil, and a little olive oil for a quick homemade pizza sauce. It works wonderfully on homemade pizza, French bread pizza, English muffin pizzas, or flatbreads.

It's another easy way to skip buying a specialty ingredient.

7. Cook Beans and Lentils

Beans and lentils soak up tomato flavor beautifully.

Simmer canned tomatoes with cooked beans or lentils, onions, garlic, and your favorite seasonings for an inexpensive meal that's filling, nutritious, and packed with flavor. Serve it over rice or with a piece of crusty bread for a complete dinner.

This Instant Pot Lentil Soup is a wonderful and affordable family dinner!

8. Make Shakshuka or Baked Eggs

Eggs become a hearty meal when they're cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce.

Simply simmer canned tomatoes with onions, garlic, and spices, then crack eggs directly into the sauce and cook until the whites are set. Serve with toast for an inexpensive breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

It's an easy meal that feels much fancier than it actually is!

9. Turn Them into Homemade Salsa

A can of diced tomatoes is a great starting point for fresh tasting salsa.

Mix with onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for a quick dip or taco topping. You can even blend everything together for a smoother restaurant style salsa.

It's less expensive than buying prepared salsa and easy to customize.

10. Add Them to Slow Cooker Meals

Canned tomatoes are perfect for slow cooker recipes.

They keep meat moist while creating a flavorful sauce as everything cooks together. They're especially delicious with chicken, beef, pork, beans, or vegetables, making inexpensive ingredients taste like they've been cooking all day.

One can often adds enough liquid and flavor to eliminate the need for more expensive sauces.

Bonus Tip 1 - Freeze Leftover Tomatoes

Don't let half of a can go to waste!

If your recipe only uses part of a can, freeze the leftovers in small airtight containers or ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag so you can grab exactly what you need for soups, sauces, or skillet meals later.

Bonus Tip 2 - Keep a Variety in Your Pantry

Not all canned tomatoes are the same, and having a few different types on hand makes meal planning much easier.

• Diced tomatoes are perfect for soups, chili, casseroles, and skillet meals.
• Crushed tomatoes create smooth sauces and hearty soups.
• Whole peeled tomatoes can be broken up for recipes that need larger pieces.
• Tomato sauce works well in casseroles, pasta dishes, and slow cooker recipes.
• Tomato paste adds rich tomato flavor without extra liquid and is great for thickening soups, stews, and sauces.

Stocking a few of each gives you plenty of flexibility when it's time to make dinner.

Canned tomatoes may not seem exciting sitting on the pantry shelf, but they can become the foundation for countless budget-friendly meals. They're affordable, versatile, and always ready when you need them, making them one of the smartest ingredients you can keep on hand.

The next time you see canned tomatoes on sale, grab a few extra cans! With so many uses for canned tomatoes, you'll always have the start of an easy, delicious meal waiting in your pantry. Best of all, you'll save money while putting simple, satisfying dinners on the table for your family.