Google ur friend: Because tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomato puree, you can dilute it to the consistency of tomato sauce without much fuss. Adding one cup of water to three-quarters of a cup of tomato paste will result in a tomato base with the same texture and thickness as tomato sauce (after some brisk stirring).

by Anonymous

reply 2

January 10, 2019 5:56 PM

Canned tomato sauce is a cooked purée of unseasoned tomatoes, while tomato paste is tomato sauce that's been reduced until thick.

Despite its name, you can't just pour tomato sauce from a can onto some noodles and call it a day. The pantry staple is meant to be used as the basis for braises, stews and, of course, more complex pasta sauces. And since it's been only slightly cooked, canned tomato sauce has a sharp acidity that mellows out with more cooking time, and can add a pleasant, last-minute jolt to a finished recipe.

On the other hand, tomato paste is what you get after reducing canned tomato sauce into a dark-crimson spread. Intensely flavored, a small dab of the paste adds a hit of tomato flavor to a dish without the excess liquid that comes with using fresh tomatoes. And while this means tomato paste is the gold-star condiment that can make anything taste like it's been cooking for hours, keep in mind the pronounced sweetness can sometimes be overpowering. In that case, a splash of vinegar will help balance out your dish.

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by Anonymous

reply 3

January 10, 2019 5:59 PM

One is made from tomatoes, the other is made from tomahtoes.

by Anonymous

reply 4

January 10, 2019 6:01 PM

you're all wrong. Tomato sauce is cooked and seasoned sauce containing all sorts of ingredients.

Tomato paste is thick, reduced tomato.

CANT YOU READ AN INGREDIENTS LIST for crissakes?

by Anonymous

reply 5

January 10, 2019 6:07 PM

Tomato paste is the condensed milk of the tomato world.

by Anonymous

reply 6

January 10, 2019 6:09 PM

R5 it does not have to be seasoned. R3 absolutely insufferable. Mary!

by Anonymous

reply 7

January 10, 2019 6:10 PM

I don't understand why some recipes call for both

by Anonymous

reply 8

January 10, 2019 6:13 PM

R5 is correct. Tomato sauce includes seasonings like onion and salt. Otherwise, it's puree.

by Anonymous

reply 9

January 10, 2019 6:14 PM

Wrong R9 ... To make your own tomato sauce out of a can of tomatoes, you can use whatever type of canned tomatoes you have on hand, whether they be whole, stewed, diced, or crushed. ... Taste your sauce and tweak the flavor IF NEEDED, adding salt, oregano, basil or whatever spices you prefer.Nov 23, 2018

by Anonymous

reply 10

January 10, 2019 6:18 PM

I just know the paste has a great flavor.

by Anonymous

reply 11

January 10, 2019 6:36 PM

Thanks for the explanation, R3. Makes you wonder why people even use the "sauce." The paste sounds so much better.

by Anonymous

reply 12

January 10, 2019 6:57 PM

What R6 said so eloquently.

by Anonymous

reply 13

January 10, 2019 7:00 PM

[quote] Despite its name, you can't just pour tomato sauce from a can onto some noodles and call it a day.

Uh, what? That's exactly what you can do (after heating it ) and what most people do.

by Anonymous

reply 14

January 10, 2019 7:02 PM

Water, R8. Water.

Tomato paste permits one to add the tomato flavor to the dish being prepared without adding also a cup of water that would come with tomato puree.

by Anonymous

reply 15

January 10, 2019 7:04 PM

I like the tomato paste in the toothpaste type tube. Better than the canned stuff.

by Anonymous

reply 16

January 10, 2019 7:10 PM

R14, they're talking about plain tomato sauce, not pasta sauce like Prego, Classico, Ragu, etc.

by Anonymous

reply 17

January 10, 2019 7:22 PM

It's GRAVY! Will the pasta be sauced in the pan or not?

by Anonymous

reply 19

January 10, 2019 8:58 PM

R19 any true Italian sauces pasta in the pan.

by Anonymous

reply 20

January 10, 2019 9:01 PM

you must mean "Tomato Gravy" OP

by Anonymous

reply 21

January 10, 2019 9:27 PM

In America the word "sauce" on a can implies that seasonings have been added. In many cases it's actually watered down tomato paste. I've never found any canned tomatoes in my area that weren't too acidic. I order a professional brand that's used in many pizzerias, Stanislaus 7/11. It comes in a big #10 can and I portion it out in ziplok bags to be frozen. It tastes great right out the can, the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

by Anonymous

reply 22

January 10, 2019 9:28 PM