You have multiple ways to enjoy tomatoes – raw, cooked, or in a sauce. When it comes to cooking with tomatoes, you often have to decide between tomato paste and tomato sauce. Both of these ingredients have distinct flavors and purposes in the kitchen. Understanding the differences between tomato paste and sauce will help you make the best choice for your next recipe.
What Is Tomato Paste?
Tomato paste is a concentrated thickener made from cooked and strained tomatoes. It comes in a tube or can and serves as a flavoring ingredient in sauces, soups, stews, and other dishes.
To make tomato paste, tomatoes are cooked for several hours to reduce moisture. The resulting thick paste, after straining out the seeds and skin, can be canned or packaged for future use. When shopping for tomato paste, opt for brands with minimal additives and preservatives for the best taste. Some varieties even come in convenient squeeze tubes for easy measuring and usage.
You can make your own tomato paste at home by simmering chopped tomatoes until they break down and reduce in volume. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or food mill, then spread it onto a baking sheet. Roast it in the oven until it reaches a thick, concentrated consistency. Store this homemade version in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
What Is Tomato Sauce?
Tomato sauce is a classic, traditional tomato-based sauce made with crushed or pureed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like basil and oregano. It serves as a base for other sauces or a simple topping for pasta dishes. Tomato sauce is also versatile enough to be used in casseroles or as a dip for bread and vegetables. With its delicious flavor, tomato sauce is a staple in many home kitchens.
Canned tomato sauce is made by cooking tomatoes, straining out the chunks, and adding seasonings like salt, sugar, and herbs. Some manufacturers may include additional ingredients such as onions, garlic, and spices to enhance the taste.
To make homemade tomato sauce, cook fresh or canned tomatoes with your desired seasonings until it thickens slightly. If you prefer a smooth consistency like the canned versions, blend it using a blender, food processor, or immersion blender until it reaches your desired texture.
Tomato Paste Vs Sauce
The main distinction between tomato paste and tomato sauce lies in the concentration of tomatoes. Tomato paste is made by cooking tomatoes for hours to reduce water content, resulting in a thick and intense paste. On the other hand, tomato sauce has a thinner consistency and often includes extra ingredients like onions, herbs, and spices.
Tomato sauce is often used as is in dishes like spaghetti or lasagna, while tomato paste is used as a base or flavoring for soups and stews, adding depth of flavor. In comparison to tomato sauce, tomato paste has a deeper, more intense flavor, a darker red color, and a higher concentration of tomato solids.
Can You Make Tomato Sauce Out of Tomato Paste?
Yes, it is possible to substitute tomato paste for tomato sauce, but keep in mind that the texture and flavor may differ slightly. You can make a simple tomato sauce by diluting the paste with water or broth and cooking it with additional seasonings like garlic, onion, and herbs. This technique is sometimes used in Italian cuisine for a quick and easy tomato sauce.
However, note that the resulting sauce may not have the same depth of flavor as one made from fresh tomatoes. Adjust the seasoning and consistency to your preference since tomato paste tends to be more concentrated in flavor and thicker in texture than traditional tomato sauce.
Experiment with different ratios of paste to liquid and taste as you go until you achieve the desired result. The exact measurements will depend on your personal preference and the specific recipe you’re using. It is not recommended to substitute tomato sauce for tomato paste as it will result in a watery and underseasoned dish.
Is Tomato Sauce the Same as Pasta Sauce?
No, tomato sauce is not the same as traditional pasta sauce, although tomato sauce is commonly used in pasta dishes. Tomato sauce consists of just tomatoes, oil, and herbs, while pasta sauce can include various ingredients such as meat or vegetables. Tomato sauce also has a thicker and smoother texture, while pasta sauce tends to be chunkier.
Despite the differences, the terms “tomato sauce” and “pasta sauce” are often used interchangeably. Therefore, it’s important to read the ingredients before purchasing a sauce at the grocery store.
Bottom Line
Both tomato paste and tomato sauce can be valuable ingredients in your kitchen. Tomato paste is made from cooked-down tomatoes with a thick consistency, while tomato sauce is made from crushed tomatoes and has a thinner consistency.
Experiment with using tomato paste and sauce in different ways to add rich tomato flavor to your meals. When you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, remember to include a touch of tomato paste or sauce for added depth and flavor.
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