Tomato paste (tomato purée in UK)

concentrato di pomodoro / domates salçası

Flavor and role

A thick paste of tomatoes cooked down until concentrated; it adds savouriness, red colour and slight sweetness. Frying it in oil for 1–2 minutes removes the raw taste and deepens the flavour.

Typical dishes and uses

Bolognese, jollof rice, misir wat, Turkish pasta, lasagna soup, base for stews and curries

Substitutes

1 tbsp tomato paste = 2 tbsp ketchup (watch the sweetness, reduce sugar) or 3 tbsp passata cooked down further.

Storage

Unopened 1–2 years at room temperature. Opened 5–7 days in the fridge; wrap 1 tbsp portions in cling film and freeze for 3 months.

Main countries

Italy · Türkiye · United States

Used in this book

Misir Wat (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)Mince and Cheese PieTurkish Yogurt Pasta (Yalancı Mantı)Lasagna SoupJollof RiceBolognese (Ragù alla Bolognese)Beef BourguignonBigos (Polish Hunter's Stew)Ukrainian BorschtBouillabaisseChicken Machboos (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)Chicken Tikka MasalaChili con CarneCoq au VinBerlin CurrywurstDoro WatHariraChicken KabsaKoshariLahmacunLasagne alla BologneseMercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)PastitsioRopa ViejaShakshukaShepherd's PieThieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Overnight-Marinated Bourguignon with Glazed Onions and CroutonsBourguignon Ragù PappardelleOld-Polish Three-Meat Bigos with PorciniBigos Reuben Melt with Russian DressingRagù alla Bolognese with Handmade Egg TagliatelleMiso Bolognese UdonBolognese Cheese-Pull ToastieRoasted Beet and Smoked Rib BorschtKoryo-saram Kimchi BorschtPink Borscht RisottoMarseille Bouillabaisse with Rockfish Broth and Potato RouilleOne-Pan Bouillabaisse Orzo with Saffron AioliCheesy Keema Mini Bunny RollsButter Chicken RigatoniButter Chicken Cheese ToastChana Masala Cheese ToastieWine-Braised Chicken Paprikash with Butter Nokedli and Cucumber SaladCrispy Gnocchi Chicken Paprikash with ParmesanChicken Tikka Masala QuesadillasRestaurant-style chili crab with fried mantouOvernight-Marinated Burgundy Coq au VinCoq au Vin Pot PiePotato-dough chicken thigh coxinha with a cream cheese heartApple Curry Sauce Currywurst with Double-Fried PommesRosé Dakbokkeumtang (Gochujang Tomato Cream Chicken)Doro Wat Ramen with Berbere Chicken and AjitamaEgusi Chicken Korma (Nigerian x North Indian)Crispy Tortilla Empanada Pockets with ChimichurriChicken Enchilada Rice BowlChipotle Feijoada ChiliRed Wine Galbi-jjim BourguignonGochujang Rosé GnocchiBeef Shin Goulash with CsipetkeGoulash Melt with Dipping BrothSaffron Lamb Harira with Egg RibbonsHarira Chickpea Toast with Lemon YogurtOven-Braised İmam Bayıldı with Slow-Cooked Onionsİmam Bayıldı Parmigiana (Turkish x Italian)İmam Bayıldı Feta Galette with Chilli HoneyJambalaya Arancini with Cajun RémouladeSlow-Simmered European-Style Beef CurryChunjang Ragù RigatoniRosé Jjamppong with BaconSmoky Party Jollof with Crispy Spiced ChickenChorizo and Prawn Jollof PaellaCheesy Jollof Stuffed PeppersLamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and DaqqusKabsa Arancini with Daqqus Dipİskender köfteCairo Shop-Style Koshari with ShattaCrispy Koshari Bites with Daqqa Tomato DipCrispy lahmacun bulgur bowlRed Wine Ragù Lasagna Soup with Lemon Basil RicottaGochujang Rosé Lasagna SoupBubbling Lasagna Dip with Garlic BaguetteLasagne Verdi with Homemade Spinach PastaMargherita Pull-Apart Pizza RollsBrown Butter Pul Biber MenemenMenemen Egg BoatsLokanta-Style Velvet Lentil Soup with CroutonsLentil Soup Shakshuka with Garlic Yogurt & Chili ButterRed Wine Braised Steak and Cheddar PieMince and Cheese Pie ToastieMisir Wat with Homemade Niter KibbehBerbere Lentil Ragù RigatoniMisir Wat Lentil Toast with Jammy EggMomo Smash Tacos with Achar MayoLamb Moussaka with Pecorino BéchamelCrispy Moussaka BowlOsso Buco Sliders with Gremolata MayoTom Yum Seafood PaellaKeema Pastel de Choclo (Indian-Spiced Beef under a Sweet Corn Crust)Pastitsio with Slow-Simmered Beef and Pork Ragù and Bay-Infused BéchamelPastitsio Melt Toast with Cinnamon Beef and Béchamel CrustBravas rösti brunch with fried eggsCheesy Lazy Pelmeni Pinwheel SkilletRed Wine Beef Shin Potjie with GremolataCrispy-Edge Pulled Pork with Beer-Braise GlazeRatatouille Cheese Melt ToastOven-Braised Ropa Vieja with MadurosChino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo MeinPizza SamosasCharred Pepper and Merguez Shakshuka, Oven-BakedHarissa Shakshuka Fried Rice with Crispy EggRed Wine Lamb Shepherd's Pie with a Duchess Potato CrownKeema Shepherd's Pie with Bombay MashShepherd's Pie Loaded Jacket PotatoBeef Tenderloin Stroganoff with Brandy CreamGochujang Rosé Cream Meatball Rice BowlRestaurant-Style Thieboudienne with Fish Stock and NététouRof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Thieb Arancini with Rof Fish and Tamarind-Chilli MayoRestaurant-Style Tomato and Egg with Shaoxing WineBacon Parmesan Rosé TteokbokkiBaked Beef Yalancı Mantı with Brown Chili Butter

Updated 2026-10-10