Recipe Roundup

43 Recipes You Can Make With a Can of Diced Tomatoes

Always have canned diced tomatoes on hand? Here are some of our favorite ways to get those cans out of the pantry and into some amazing recipes.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton

Your pantry is a treasure trove. You've got cans of diced tomatoes and cans of beans and cans of tuna and bags of rice. But beyond a pot of chili, what can you make with a can of diced tomatoes? A lot, it turns out. We've got recipes for pantry pastas and a few different types of chili, of course, but also tomato-enriched taco fillings, Instant pot stews, easy soups, and even salsa that doesn't require any fresh tomatoes. There are so many great recipes here that you may find that it's time to restock your canned tomato stash sooner rather than later.

  • Pasta puttanesca in a blue bowl with a golden fork and knife.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    1/43

    Pantry Pasta Puttanesca

    Having diced tomatoes and a few other pantry staples stocked at all times means this classic Italian pasta recipe will always be a dinner option.

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  • small bowl of bright red salsa de rbol with a spoon
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    2/43

    Salsa de Árbol

    This super-easy salsa recipe starts with a can of diced tomatoes (fire-roasted are ideal) and a few dried chiles. Drizzle it on tacos, scrambled eggs, or just dip your chips.

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  • Photo of a bowl of bolognese made with lentils and penne pasta.
    Photo and Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    3/43

    Lentil Bolognese

    This earthy pasta sauce has a touch of bacon but no other meat. The flavor comes from marinated lentils and a big can of diced tomatoes.

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  • Image may contain Food and Pizza
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    4/43

    Four-Cheese Manicotti

    A spoon works fine for stuffing the manicotti noodles, but a piping bag—while it may seem fussy—makes quicker work of the assembly.

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  • Greekstyle shrimp pasta with kale in two bowls.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    5/43

    Greek-Style Shrimp Pasta With Kale

    This pasta is so packed with vegetables and shrimp that it's a complete, satiating meal—despite using half the normal serving size of noodles.

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  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal and Plant
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    6/43

    Chickpea Crepe "Tacos" With Eggplant and Lamb

    Thin, naturally grain-free chickpea flour pancakes take the place of tortillas in these warmly spiced lamb and eggplant “tacos.”

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  • One of the best soup recipes is this easy chicken tortilla soup.
    Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    7/43

    Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup With Bean and Cheese Nachos

    This weeknight-friendly soup is enriched by the flavor of smoky chipotles, brightened by fresh lime, and ready in just 22 minutes or less.

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  • A teal twohandled pot filled with marinara sauce against a pink background.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    8/43

    Sunday Stash Marinara Sauce

    A quick tip: if you're puréeing the sauce anyway, it doesn't really matter what kind of canned tomatoes you're using. So while this recipe calls for whole tomatoes, it's just as good made with diced.

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  • two tacos with a charred corn tortilla topped with shredded goat birria and cucumber pico de gallo
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    9/43

    Goat Birria Tacos With Cucumber Pico de Gallo

    Birria is usually served with a side of consomé, the rich pan juices from the roasted meat. This recipe takes things a step further by puréeing those juices with roasted vegetables and dried chiles.

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  • Baked beans in a Dutch oven with a wooden spoon. Next to it is a plate and bowl both filled with baked beans and topped...
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Jennifer Ophir
    10/43

    Very Versatile Baked Beans With Cabbage

    Onions, garlic, cabbage, and tomatoes melt into a thick rich blanket of sweet richness for these hearty baked beans.

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  • Image may contain Food Pasta and Macaroni
    Photo by Alex Lau
    11/43

    Cheesy Baked Pasta With Cauliflower

    This recipe calls for canned cherry tomatoes, but if you can't find them, diced tomatoes make an excellent stand-in.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Meal Dish Dinner and Supper
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    12/43

    Egg Curry with Tomatoes and Cilantro

    While this easy curry is super satisfying served over rice or with naan, we wrapped it in some leftover crepes for a convincing dosa-like experience.

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