8 amazing recipes that start with a tin of tomatoes
You say tomato, I say tomayto – but however you want to say it, the fact is that tomatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. They are rich in vitamins A, B, C and K as well as folate, potassium and the antioxident lycopene.
Tomatoes can play an essential role in our healthy eating, and if you’ve got a tin of them in the pantry a delicious meal is never far away. Check out these 8 amazing and easy recipes that all start with the humble tin of tomatoes.
1. Spaghetti Bolognese
Of course, good old Spag Bol tops our list! This is the quintessential pasta dish that everyone loves and the secret to a great bolognese is the sauce. Forget about ready-made supermarket pasta sauce – they’re so bland when compared to the real thing! Long and slow is the way to go with Italian food so it’s worth investing in a slow cooker to make your bolognese sauce unforgettably rich and delicious. You won’t go wrong with this recipe from Spend with Pennies.
2. Tomato soup
The weather might be getting warmer but a classic tomato soup is a comfort food that always tastes great at any time of the year. If you need a super quick meal that you can make with just 3 ingredients, then this tomato soup is a great option. It’s incredibly easy – for 2 servings simply melt around 4 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan (or in your thermomix), add half an onion (roughly chopped) and a large can of crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and top up with 11/2 cups of water (or you could use stock if you prefer). That’s it! Just let it simmer away uncovered for about 40 minutes then blend it all until smooth (the easiest way to do this is by using an immersion blender if you haven’t cooked your soup in a thermomix). Perfect with some hot buttered toast. Did we mention it has just 3 ingredients?
3. Tomato and bacon risotto
We’re heading back to Italy for another popular dish that’s rich, creamy and loaded with cheese! Simply cook together 1 clove of garlic and a finely chopped onion with 6 rashers of diced bacon and 2 cups of arborio rice. When the rice is translucent (about 5 minutes), add a large tin of chopped tomatoes and stir until the liquid has been incorporated into the rice. Next, gradually ladle in 1 litre of hot stock, stirring well each time. Wait until the liquid has absorbed before adding the next ladel. When the rice is nearly cooked, add some frozen peas and sliced mushrooms, stirring regularly so the rice doesn’t stick. Just before serving, add in a tablespoon of cream and a big handful of grated cheese. Voila! A tasty dinner for four that the family will love!
4. Tomato and lamb curry
Here’s a super simple curry in a hurry recipe that will get a delicious meal on the table in less than an hour. The combination of tender lamb leg steaks with tinned tomatoes, curry paste, pumpkin, beans and peas is sure to make this tasty dish a family favourite! Check out the recipe at Taste – but be warned, it can be a bit addictive!
5. Chicken cacciatore
We can’t keep away from Italy and here we are again with a delicious cacciatore, cooked ‘hunter’ style. It’s a hearty chicken meal combined with olive oil, capsicum, herbs, spices, and of course, the star of the show, a tin of chopped tomatoes. The key to a satisfying result is to slow-cook it. Pair your cacciatore with pasta or rice, or eat it on its own - either way, it’ll be perfect! There are many chicken cacciatore recipes available online, but we love this one from Delish – 10 minutes prep in the morning, throw everything into the slow cooker and you’ll have a wonderful dinner waiting for you in the evening.
6. Tomato & sausage stew with soft polenta
Wondering what to cook that’s budget-friendly and will satisfy both the kids and the adults in the family? This tomato and sausage stew with soft and creamy polenta from Taste is sure to win the hearts of everyone, young and old alike. It’s easy to cook with only a few ingredients, but it’s amazingly delicious!
7. Paella
If you’re in the mood for a full-blast meal, this classic Spanish favourite is for you. Perfecting a traditional paella can be a bit challenging but we’ve found an easy version at All Recipes that still uses all of the key ingredients such as chorizo, chicken and shrimp. You’ll need around 30 minutes of prep time and then another 30 minutes for the cook – that’s a superstar family dinner on the table in an hour!
8. Chocolate soup cake
We couldn’t resist adding this delicious concoction to our list, and while it doesn’t actually contain tinned tomatoes, it does contain tinned tomato soup! It’s the secret ingredient that keeps everything moist and delicious - although we’re pretty certain that the brown sugar, chocolate and sour cream help as well! Check out this sinfully decadent dessert recipe at the very aptly named Delicious.
Get cooking
Isn’t it amazing how a humble tin of tomatoes can create such delectable meals! Many of these recipes require a lot less work if you invest in the right equipment, and we definitely recommend using good kitchen appliances such as a thermomix and slow-cooker. If you need a little financial hand to purchase some new kitchen things, we can help out - just take a look at our cash loans from $1,000. It’s quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds and once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours!