Tomato sauce is an absolutely essential ingredient for some very delicious recipes. What’s a homemade pizza without red sauce? How about a heaping bowl of classic spaghetti and meatballs? And don’t even think about making lasagna or eggplant Parm without tomato sauce.
But what happens when you throw open the doors of your pantry to find the tomato sauce stash completely depleted? Deep breaths. Here’s how to substitute when youre out of the red stuff.
Some options include:**Pesto Sauce:** A flavorful blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.**Alfredo Sauce:** A creamy sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.**Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce:** Sauté garlic in olive oil for a simple, aromatic alternative.
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**Pesto Sauce:** A flavorful blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
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**Alfredo Sauce:** A creamy sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
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**Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce:** Sauté garlic in olive oil for a simple, aromatic alternative.
What is tomato sauce?
At its most basic, tomato sauce is a tomato puree with salt, spices, and oil. “If its in a glass jar, theres probably a lot of oil to start,” Delish Senior Food Producer June Xie said. “If you buy marinara, there’s some sugar in there to make it taste really good. And there are spice mixes.”
“When youre using [the following] substitutes,” she continued. “Its all up to you to understand what you want out of that substitute and just try to wrangle your spices into place to make it work.”
Can you just make your own tomato sauce?
Sure! If you have the right ingredients. A lot of the substitutions below cover how to take a tomato-y ingredient and add other things to conjure a sauce.
“You need some sort of fat. Extra virgin olive oil is always a good go-to,” Xie said. “For me, onion is not necessary, but garlic is a non-negotiable in tomato sauce. Some sort of fresh or high-quality dried herbs to give it that perfume quality.” Of course, canned or fresh tomatoes are also key ingredients. Here is a spaghetti sauce recipe and a marinara sauce recipe to get you started.
“And I always add a teaspoon to a tablespoon of sugar,” she continued. “Whether the tomatoes are canned or fresh, if they are not in season, they are not really sweet. Sugar can really make it pop.”
Tomato sauce for Lasagna
FAQ
Is there a substitute for tomato sauce?
What is the substitute of 1 cup tomato sauce?
Can I skip tomato paste in lasagna?
Can I substitute crushed tomatoes for tomato sauce?
To substitute crushed tomatoes for tomato sauce, use an equal amount of crushed tomatoes in place of the tomato sauce in your recipe. If the consistency is too thick, add a small amount of water to achieve the desired texture. You can also add sugar, salt, and other seasonings to match the flavor profile of tomato sauce.
What can I use instead of tomato sauce?
Crushed tomatoes are another substitute you can use instead of tomato sauce. They are usually mixed with tomato paste or tomato puree and have a finer consistency than stewed tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes are used in sauces, soups, and other dishes. Just blend and cook the crushed tomatoes to get the desired consistency and develop a better taste.
Can you make lasagna with no Tomatoes?
That’s right, lasagna with no tomatoes. This recipe from longtime food writer Corinne Cook is made with a white sauce, ground meat and cheese. This béchamel (white sauce) is spooned over the bottom of the dish and then mixed with the seasoned, cooked ground beef. There is no a thick layer of the meat; it’s scattered between the layers of noodles.
What can I substitute for lasagna?
If you are planning on making lasagna there are a few substitutes that you can use instead. Vegetables such as eggplant or peppers are a great option. Either roast or sauté the vegetables and once they have finished cooking remove the skins. Then add flavorings such as olive paste and salt and pepper and blend the ingredients to create a puree.