tomato sauce
See also: tomato
Also known as: canned tomato puree
Smooth, canned cooked tomatoes, thinner and less concentrated than tomato paste but thicker than tomato juice -- often lightly seasoned with salt and sometimes onion or garlic. A base-layer ingredient in soups, chilis, and pasta sauces, adding tomato flavor and body without the chunks of diced tomatoes or the intensity of paste.
Buying guidance
Plain tomato sauce (not to be confused with a fully seasoned pasta "sauce" or "spaghetti sauce," which has herbs and often sugar added) is what a recipe usually means unless it specifies otherwise -- check the label if a recipe is sensitive to added seasoning.
Substitutions
- Crushed tomatoes -- slightly chunkier and less smooth, but a close substitute in most soups and sauces.
- Tomato paste thinned with water -- roughly 1 part paste to 2-3 parts water approximates tomato sauce's consistency.
- Fresh tomatoes, cooked down and pureed -- more work, but a fresher-tasting substitute.
Tips & common mistakes
Confusing it with thicker tomato paste (sold in a similarly shaped can) throws off a recipe's liquid balance -- check the label, since the two aren't interchangeable cup for cup.
Storage
An unopened can keeps for a year or more in the pantry. Once opened, refrigerate any leftover in a sealed container and use within a few days.