Stewed Tomatoes Recipe: 3 Ways to Serve Stewed Tomatoes

Stewed tomatoes combine the fresh flavor of tomatoes with different ingredients and aromatics such as onions, bell peppers, and dried herbs in a slow-cooked preparation. Simmering the ingredients together creates a saucy but slightly chunky mixture full of flavor.

You can preserve stewed tomatoes by canning them, but homemade stewed tomatoes have a shorter shelf life than store-bought stewed tomatoes. Stewed tomatoes are popular across the globe, including in Italian and Mexican cuisines.

If you need a substitute for stewed tomatoes, try one of these tomato products:

1. 1. Canned tomatoes: Add some extra seasonings, like dried oregano, salt, and ground pepper, to turn canned tomatoes into a good substitute for stewed tomatoes. The texture is similar, and you can mimic the flavor with herbs and spices.
2. 2. Diced tomatoes: Cut large tomatoes into smaller pieces and mix them with diced onions, minced garlic, red or green bell peppers, and other flavorings, depending on the recipe. You can use diced tomatoes from a can but opt for diced raw tomatoes for a fresher flavor in pasta sauces or soups.
3. 3. Tomato sauce: While the texture of tomato sauce is smoother than stewed tomatoes, the flavor is similar since tomato sauce has many of the same ingredients. Add chunks of tomatoes to the sauce to mimic the consistency of stewed tomatoes.
4. 4. Whole tomatoes: Crush plum tomatoes (like Roma tomatoes) or whole peeled tomatoes into a chunky pulp for a stewed tomato substitute. Add seasonings to the crushed tomatoes to match the flavor of traditional stewed tomatoes.

Stewed tomatoes add a fresh and savory flavor to many dishes, including:

1. 1. Casseroles: A classic stewed tomato casserole features tomatoes, bread cubes, brown sugar (to offset the acidity of the tomatoes), cheese, and a cracker crumb topping. This dish starts with chopped tomatoes that stew with the other ingredients as the casserole bakes in the oven.
2. 2. Pasta sauces: Marinara sauce and other tomato-based pasta sauces start with fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, or tomato purée. Stewed tomatoes have a concentrated tomato flavor and similar seasonings, so you can use stewed tomatoes as a chunky pasta sauce.
3. 3. Tomato soup: Simmer stewed tomatoes on the stovetop or in a slow cooker with fresh basil, a Parmesan rind, and chicken broth before blending the mixture into a smooth soup. The stewed flavor of the tomatoes adds depth to the dish.