11 Best Tomato Sauce Substitutes You Probably Already Have at Home

Suddenly realized you have run out of tomato sauce or have unexpected guests with tomato allergies or who follow a tomato-free diet or minimize tomato consumption? No need to ditch the meal you're preparing and think of a new one to serve; use a tomato sauce substitute instead.

But what can you substitute for tomato sauce? Allow me to share with you my go-to tomato-based and tomato free substitutes. You'll be surprised that your pantry, cabinet, and fridge have several options that will work for your recipe!

Jump to:

• 8 Best Tomato Sauce Substitutes
• 3 Best Tomato Free Substitutes for Tomato Sauce
• FAQs About Tomato Sauce and Its Substitute
• Tomato Sauce Substitution Made Easy!
• Recipe

8 Best Tomato Sauce Substitutes

When it comes to what to substitute for tomato sauce, there are several options, especially since there are already a lot of tomato-based products. That said, here are eight of my go-to substitutes for tomato sauce:

1. Tomato Paste

This pantry staple is a great substitute for canned tomato sauce because it will bring your dish the closest tomato taste a tomato sauce brings. While it's more concentrated and has a thicker consistency, you can dilute your tomato paste with water.

Simply fill your mixing bowl with one cup of water and add one tablespoon of tomato paste. Mix the ingredients using a spoon until well blended. Check if the diluted tomato paste already meets your desired consistency. If not, add another tablespoon of tomato paste and mix. Repeat as necessary.

Once you're happy with the tomato paste mixture's consistency, you can add it to your dish following a 1:1 ratio.

Pro Tip: Adding water will give your tomato paste a consistency similar to a typical tomato sauce but not the 100% authentic tomato sauce taste. What I do is add seasoning, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of sugar, and a drizzle of olive oil, to the diluted tomato paste. I then allow it to simmer at low heat with constant mixing.

That said, you can also use undiluted tomato paste if what you're preparing, such as spaghetti sauce, is better off having a thick consistency. However, you need to use less tomato paste than the required tomato sauce in your recipe.

I highly recommend substituting two to three tablespoons of tomato sauce with one tablespoon of pure tomato paste.

Best for just about anything.

2. Tomato Juice

If you love fresh and healthy juices, you surely have tomato juice in your fridge that you can use as a substitute for tomato sauce. In terms of measurement, you will need to use one cup of tomato juice to replace half a cup of tomato sauce and half a cup of water or any liquid ingredient in your original recipe.

Pro Tip: Like tomato paste, I suggest you add seasoning, specifically salt and sugar, because the tomato juice is made from pure squeezed or crushed tomatoes.

Best for just about anything.

3. Tomato Soup

Yes, that can of your favorite tomato soup you consume with a grilled cheese sandwich during the winter is also a great substitute for tomato sauce. It's sweeter than tomato sauce because of the added sugar, so I add herbs and salt to balance the flavor.

This flavor profile is also why it's an excellent substitute for tomato sauce in chili paste if you only want mild spiciness.

Most tomato soup products also have added milk or water, so make sure you check the label before using it. The milk content comes in handy when you're preparing sauces as it adds creaminess. Otherwise, ensure you make some flavor adjustments if you think the milk can affect the taste of your dish.

You must also remember that the water and milk add moisture, so you need to adjust the amount of any liquid ingredient in your recipe to ¾ of the original amount. For instance, if your recipe calls for one cup of chicken broth, reduce it to ¾ cup if you're using tomato soup as a tomato sauce substitute.

In terms of how much tomato soup to use, follow a 1:1 ratio.

Pro Tip: Tomato soup has a thinner consistency than tomato sauce. If you need it to be thicker, I recommend you mix it with one to tablespoons of a thickening agent, such as tapioca or cornstarch.

Best for stews, chili paste, and pasta sauces.

4. Tomato Puree

Not all home cooks use tomato puree, but those who do have probably already asked, "Can I substitute tomato puree for tomato sauce?"

As one of the most versatile ingredients that some chefs use more than other tomato-based products, yes, you definitely can!

This medium-thick sauce adds more texture and depth of flavor to your dish. It's also the perfect canned tomato sauce substitute if your dish requires more acidity.

To use it, you don't need to make any adjustments. Nonetheless, you can adjust the consistency by mixing ⅔ cup of tomato puree and ⅓ cup of broth or water, which is equivalent to one cup of tomato sauce.

Best for dips, sauces, salsa, stews, and soups.

5. Tomato Passata

Only a few are familiar with tomato passata, so I won't expect that you have this in your pantry. However, I don't want to miss this opportunity to introduce this ingredient and encourage you to add it to your grocery list.

Made from pureed and strained fresh tomatoes, passata is basically tomato puree without the added seeds and skin and has a brighter red color. It's one of the best substitutes for tomato sauce that gives off the freshest flavor, so you can cook it in just a minute or less.

While it has a thicker consistency and is creamier than tomato sauce, you don't need to make any measurement adjustments. One cup of tomato sauce is one cup of tomato passata. Just note that some passata products have salt in them; if the one you'll use does, make sure you adjust the amount of salt in your recipe.

Best for just about anything.

6. Tomato Ketchup

While tomato ketchup is commonly found in most kitchens, it isn't the first option that comes to mind when you wonder and ask, "What can I substitute for tomato sauce?" After all, we use it together with other tomato-based ingredients or as a dip and sauce.

Ketchup also has a bit of a different flavor profile than tomato sauce because of the added sugar, spices, and vinegar. That's why it requires a lot of tweaking if it's the only canned tomato sauce substitute available, and you can't run to the grocery store.

You need to add spices, especially basil, and reduce the amount of salt, sugar, and vinegar your recipe calls for. That said, it's an excellent substitute for tomato sauce in chili-based dishes to balance the spiciness.

In terms of the amount of ketchup you should use, I highly suggest that you first add half of the required amount of tomato sauce, tweak the flavor, and taste, and then add a little ketchup as and when needed.

Best for sweet-flavored and spicy dishes and recipes whose main ingredient isn't tomato sauce.

7. Marinara Sauce

As a versatile ingredient with tomatoes, marinara sauce is another great substitute for canned tomato sauce. Like with ketchup, it won't work for all recipes, but it's good enough if it's the only available option in your kitchen while you're cooking.

When using it to replace tomato sauce, follow a 1:1 ratio. However, I recommend that you increase the cooking time to allow it to thicken. Better yet, place it in a pan and allow it to simmer until it reaches the consistency of a tomato sauce before using it in your recipe.

Some marinara sauce products contain onion, garlic, oregano, basil, and olive oil, while others have capers, olives, anchovies, red pepper flakes, and wine. Hence, you need to make necessary adjustments in terms of spices to ensure you don't have over-seasoned dishes.

Pro Tip: Marinara sauce contains chunks of tomatoes that can change the texture of your dish. What I do is blend it before use.

Best for pizza, meatballs, chili paste, and pasta dishes.

8. Tomato Powder

You probably think this is an odd answer to the question, "What can you substitute for tomato sauce?" because it's in powder form rather than liquid.

While it's true that tomato powder is more popular as a garnish and seasoning, you can easily rehydrate it with water. Simply dissolve one part of tomato powder in one part of hot water. You can also reduce the amount of water if you want a thicker sauce.

One thing I love the most about tomato powder is its concentrated flavor because it's made from dehydrated tomato skins. Thus, it will give your dish an authentic, rich tomato flavor even when dissolved in water or added to your hot dish.

Best for sauces, stews, and soups.

3 Best Tomato Free Substitutes for Tomato Sauce

All of us have friends and family members with dietary restrictions, whether for health or personal reasons. Or it might be you who need to make adjustments in certain recipes due to these restrictions.

As someone who loves to cook, you don't have to worry about what to substitute for tomato sauce when faced with these situations. Here are some of my tried and tested tomato free substitutes for tomato sauce:

1. Pureed Beets and Carrots

Whether you're trying to avoid nightshade vegetables or have tomato allergies, this tomato sauce substitute is a perfect choice. This puree will add the rich, earthy flavor that tomato sauces and other substitutes bring to the dish. Of course, you won't expect it to have the same color and texture.

There are many ways to prepare this puree, but let me share with you the quickest method I follow:

1. Place a little amount of olive oil in your pan.
2. Saute the sliced carrots and beets until halfway done.
3. Add ¼ cup of lemon juice or vinegar and braise the vegetables.
4. Add garlic powder and other spices that will complement the dish you're preparing.
5. Once the veggies are cooked, add a small amount of cornstarch or tapioca to thicken. If you're already OK with the consistency, then skip this step.
6. Place the cooked veggies in your blender or food processor, add some water and/or olive oil, and blend until you have a smooth puree.

Now you're ready to use your beet-carrot puree in your recipe by following a 1:1 ratio.

Best for stews, soups, pizzas, and pasta.

2. Pureed Bell Peppers

Bell peppers also belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, but they're a great substitute if you're trying to avoid tomatoes for other reasons. While red bell peppers are the perfect choice to achieve a color as close as the tomato sauce's, you can mix orange, yellow, and red bell peppers.

To prepare, follow the same procedure as the pureed beet and carrots but make sure you remove the bell pepper seeds. You will need two bell peppers to make a puree equivalent to one cup of tomato sauce.

When using your pureed bell peppers in your recipe to replace tomato sauce, follow a 1:1 ratio.

Best for pasta, pizza, and sandwiches.

3. Eggplant Puree

One of the most surprising answers to "What is a substitute for tomato sauce?" is eggplant puree. Not only does it has an entirely different color and taste.

However, the logic behind it is that eggplants are almost always used in recipes with tomato sauce. Thus, it will also go well with all the other ingredients used.

To puree this nightshade vegetable:

1. Slice one large eggplant or two small eggplants in half and saute as above.
2. Once cooked, remove and discard the skin and place the cooked eggplant in your blender or food processor.
3. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and water, then blend until smooth.

This recipe will yield one cup of eggplant puree, which is equivalent to one cup of tomato sauce.

Best for any Italian cuisine.

FAQs About Tomato Sauce and Its Substitute

1. What can I substitute for tomato sauce in stuffed peppers?

In my experience, tomato paste is the perfect substitute for tomato sauce in stuffed peppers. Other alternatives are tomato soup and ketchup.

2. Can I make my own tomato sauce?

While there are several answers to "What can i substitute for tomato sauce?", you might be wondering if you can make your own sauce instead. Yes, you can by using fresh tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, or canned stewed tomatoes.

Using Fresh Tomatoes

You will need one large tomato, two medium-sized, or three small ones. The quickest way to make tomato sauce is to simmer the fresh tomatoes.

First, you will need to wash them and remove the stem, leaves, and seeds. Place the fresh tomatoes in a pan with two cups of water and simmer until it's reduced in half.

Once done, place it in a blender or food processor. You can also add a pinch of sugar and a few spices. Then, pulse until you achieve the right consistency of the sauce you need.

Best for pasta, creole, and other dishes with mushrooms.

Using Canned Diced Tomatoes or Canned Stewed Tomatoes

These products are basically diced or whole tomatoes that have been cooked and placed in a can. They already have salt, and some even have added spices.

To prepare, you simply place the tomatoes in your blender or food processor and pulse until you have the right consistency of the sauce you need.

Best for just about anything.

Tomato Sauce Substitution Made Easy!

With this compiled list of tomato-based and non-tomato-based ingredients that you can use in your recipes, you no longer have to stare blankly at the ceiling or wall to find the answer to "What is a substitute for tomato sauce?"

Most of these options are kitchen staples, and you can easily find all of them in the grocery store. Even better, most of them don't require any adjustments in the amount needed in your recipe.

Recipe