30 Ways To Turn A Can Of Tomatoes Into A Delicious Dinner

Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Photo:

Stacy K. Allen; Props: Josh Hoggle; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

If you think there are only a few recipes that you can make with a can of tomatoes, think again. From pasta dishes to soups to homemade pizza and more, these recipes will help you turn that can of tomatoes that's sitting in your pantry into a crowd-pleasing dinner dish. While we'll always love and use fresh summer tomatoes in our tomato pies and white bread sandwiches, sometimes canned tomatoes are just the pantry staple we need for a fast and flavorful dinner.

Make sure to stock up on this must-have ingredient on your next trip to the grocery store so you can try out every single one of the canned tomato recipes on this list.

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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Southern Living Spaghetti Sauce plated serving over spaghetti with the pan of sauce beside

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When choosing a can of tomatoes to make homemade spaghetti sauce, our Test Kitchen recommends using San Marzano.

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7-Can Soup

Southern Living 7-Can Soup in individual bowls ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

In addition to a can of tomatoes, six other canned ingredients and a few spices will help this soup come together in just 25 minutes.

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Baked Ziti with Chicken

Baked Ziti with Chicken
Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Instead of ground beef, this baked ziti recipe comes together with rotisserie chicken.

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Tortellini Soup

Tortellini Soup

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

You can use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated if desired, just allow them to cook for a few more minutes.

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Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage Rolls

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

A can of crushed tomatoes helps form the homemade tomato sauce for this recipe which adds plenty of flavor to classic cabbage rolls.

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Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Stacy K. Allen; Props: Josh Hoggle; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

You'll know this casserole is ready to come out of the oven when the edges are bubbling and golden brown.

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Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

three bowls of Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

Emily Laurae / Southern Living

Just brown your ground beef then toss everything into your slow cooker for easy and flavorful taco soup.

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Cheesy Lasagna Soup

Cheesy Lasagna Soup
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This deconstructed version of lasagna comes together a little quicker than the classic recipe so you can enjoy the same delicious flavors in just 25 minutes.

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Andouille Sausage and Smoked Chicken Gumbo

Andouille Sausage and Smoked Chicken Gumbo

If you can't find andouille sausage for this recipe, you can substitute it for any smoked sausage or kielbasa.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole
Hector Sanchez

If you've never served this cheesy chicken version of spaghetti before, it will soon become a regular on your weeknight dinner rotation.

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Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew
Southern Living

Packed with pork, chicken, and veggies, this hearty stew is full of protein and flavor.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Spend 20 minutes of prep time in the kitchen and let your slow cooker do the rest of the work.

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Martina McBride's Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Courtesy Oxmoor House

Shared in her cookbook Martina's Kitchen Mix, Martina McBride says this is a creamy, comforting version of the classic soup.

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Baked Ziti with Sausage

Baked Ziti with Sausage
Southern Living

A trio of three cheeses, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, make this casserole a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

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Baked Rigatoni with Zucchini and Mozzarella Recipe

Baked Rigatoni with Zucchini and Mozzarella
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This baked rigatoni recipe will inspire you to bring out your springform pan to make dinner instead of dessert.

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Classic Okra and Tomatoes

Classic Okra and Tomatoes in bowls overhead

Monica Farber/Southern Living

Tomatoes and okra are a match made in heaven in this classic Southern dish.

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Fire-Roasted Tomato-and-Beef Ragù

Fire-Roasted Tomato-and-Beef Ragù
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This homemade sauce is perfect for preparing and storing in the freezer for a quick supper any day of the week.

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Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Hector Manuel Sanchez

These slow-cooker meatballs with tomato sauce were created with the idea of serving them as sliders, but they'll be equally as delicious served over pasta.

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Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup

Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup
Greg DuPree

This version of vegetable soup comes together in just 40 minutes. Topping each serving with basil pesto adds extra flavor in an instant.

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West Texas Chili

West Texas Chili
Southern Living

Texas-style chili is known for its lack of beans. Enjoy with a spoon or serve over a bed of corn chips.

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Easy Taco Casserole

Easy Taco Casserole
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Switch up taco night and enjoy them in casserole form with this easy recipe.

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Potato Crusted Pizza

Potato-Crusted Pizza Recipe
Photo: Hector Sanchez

You'll be surprised to learn that this homemade pizza recipe calls for just five ingredients. It's even easier to pull together than ordering delivery.

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Summer Brunswick Stew

Summer Brunswick Stew
Hector Sanchez

Choose your favorite barbecue sauce to personalize the flavor of this summer stew.

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Quick Beef Chili

Quick Beef Chili
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Upgrade chili night by serving with an assortment of toppings: green onions, fried onion rings, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese.

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Cajun Chicken Cassoulet

Cajun Chicken Cassoulet
Iain Bagwell

Using a Dutch oven for this one-dish dinner allows you to easily move this dish from the stovetop to the oven.

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Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Greg DuPree

Serve with crusty French bread to ensure that you can soak up every last drop of flavor.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This easy skillet take on enchiladas comes together in just 25 minutes.

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Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Ground Beef Recipes: Tomato ’n’ Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

A cornmeal crust serves as the base for a layer of meat and veggies that's finished off with a layer of Cheddar cheese. This one-dish meal is a weeknight winner.

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Slow-Cooker Peas-and-Greens Soup with Turkey Sausage

Slow-Cooker Peas-and-Greens Soup with Turkey Sausage
Antonis Achilleos

The kale and tomatoes will be added just before serving after all of the other flavors of the soup have developed.

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Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup, chicken tortilla soup, tortilla soup recipe

This version of tortilla soup gets an extra depth of flavor from the smoked chicken and New Mexico chile powder.

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