Tomato paste vs sauce

You can enjoy tomatoes in many different ways. You can eat them raw, cooked, or in a sauce. When you are cooking with tomatoes, you may have to choose between tomato paste and tomato sauce. Both of these ingredients have their own unique flavors and purposes in the kitchen. Understanding the differences between tomato paste vs sauce will help you make the best choice for your next recipe.

What is tomato paste ?

Tomato paste is a thick concentrate made from cooked and strained tomatoes. It comes in a tube or can, and you can use it as a flavoring ingredient in sauces, soups, stews, and other dishes.

Tomato paste is made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to remove moisture and then straining out the seeds and skin. The resulting thick, rich paste can be canned or packaged for future use.

When shopping for tomato paste, look for brands with minimal additives and preservatives for the best taste such as  chi chi las. Some varieties are even available in convenient squeeze tubes for easy measuring and use.

What is tomato sauce ?

Tomato sauce is a basic, traditional tomato-based sauce made with crushed or puréed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like basil and oregano. It can be used as a base for other sauces or as a simple topping for pasta dishes. It can also be used in casseroles or as a dipping sauce for bread or vegetables. With its versatile nature and delicious flavor, tomato sauce is a kitchen staple for many home cooks.

Canned tomato sauce is made by cooking tomatoes, straining out the chunks, and adding seasonings, such as salt, sugar, and herbs. Some manufacturers may also add other ingredients such as onions, garlic, and spices to enhance flavor.

You can make homemade tomato sauce by cooking down fresh or canned tomatoes with your desired seasonings until it has thickened a little. If you want your tomato sauce to be smooth like the canned versions, you can blend it with a blender, food processor, or immersion blender until it reaches your desired consistency.

It is possible to substitute tomato paste for tomato sauce, but keep in mind that the texture and flavor may be a little different. You can make a simple tomato sauce out of tomato paste by diluting the paste with water or broth and cooking it with extra seasonings, such as garlic, onion, and herbs. This technique is sometimes used in Italian cuisine to create a quick and easy tomato sauce. Keep in mind that the resulting sauce may not have the same depth of flavor as a sauce made from fresh tomatoes. And it is important to 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.